Preparatory year (CMS)

This preparatory year (CMS) allows some students who do not fulfill the entrance requirements to be admitted directly into one of EPFL’s Bachelor’s programs, as well as holders of a Swiss maturité gymnasiale (cantonal certificate recognized by the Confederation or federal certificate) on a voluntary basis, to strengthen their competences in basic sciences during one year before beginning their Bachelor’s studies.

Advantages of the CMS

The CMS is designed as a preparatory year during which prospective students concentrate on the fundamental concepts of mathematics (analysis, linear algebra and analytic geometry), physics, computer science and chemistry. It also gives them time to familiarize themselves with the teaching methods used at EPFL, improve their knowledge and immerse themselves in the student life offered on campus, allowing them to start their Bachelor’s studies under the best possible conditions the following year.

Indicative distribution of weekly timetable (teaching language: French)

6h / week

Analyse I
Calcul algébrique, notions de limite et de continuité, propriétés des fonctions d’une variable réelle, calcul différentiel et intégral

4h / week

Analyse II
Trigonométrie, nombres complexes, étude des fonctions élémentaires (trigonométriques, exponentielle et logarithme)

4h / week

Géométrie analytique
Calcul vectoriel, produit scalaire, représentation cartésienne d’objets géométriques (droites, plans, cercles, etc.) dans le plan et dans l’espace

4h / week

Algèbre linéaire
Espaces vectoriels, calcul matriciel, étude des transformations linéaires, systèmes d’équations linéaires

6h / week

Physique
Mouvement dans le plan, lois de la dynamique, énergie, gaz parfait, états de la matière, électrostatique, magnétostatique

4h / week

Informatique et Calcul scientifique
Introduction à l’algorithmique et à la programmation, bases de l’analyse numérique, applications à la résolution de problèmes scientifiques

3h / week

Chimie
Liaisons chimiques, stoechiométrie, équilibres chimiques, acides et bases, cinétique (uniquement deuxième semestre)

The teaching language is French and the courses follow the standard format used at EPFL: for each subject, two hours of lecture followed by two hours of classroom exercises, which are overseen by the teachers and their assistants.

Immersion at EPFL

In order to fully immerse themselves at EPFL, students enrolled in this preparatory year also have the opportunity to attend French classes free of charge at the Language Center, and they enjoy full student rights. Therefore, they have access to the library and to the Sport Center, they may attend the various events organized on campus and take part in the activities offered by the associations.

More information about the CMS

Admission requirements

Direct access (subject to availability) for holders of a Swiss “maturité gymnasiale” or vocational/specialized “maturité”; specific admission requirements for other candidates.

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Rules and evaluation

Holders of a Swiss “maturité gymnasiale” may automatically integrate a Bachelor’s program of their choice. All other candidates must successfully pass the CMS or the entrance exam.

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Teaching staff

“Good at explaining, available and dedicated to the success of their students”: this is how former CMS students describe the teaching staff.

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For CMS students

CMS Intranet

The CMS’ virtual office is available to students 24/7.

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Useful documents

Consult the CMS’ rules, catalogue of courses, calendar and timetable.

Consult the documents

After the CMS

Discover EPFL’s Bachelor’s programs, orientation tools and open days.

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