Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Protecting the environment for a sustainable future.

The major future challenges for humankind and planet Earth are climate change, limited resources, pollution, human population growth and loss of biodiversity.

This modern and competitive study program at EPFL prepares students for the multidisciplinary nature of environmental engineering problems and educates future engineers to address the complexities and uncertainties of natural and engineered systems. This Master’s program focuses on environmental engineering in natural systems where solutions must be developed under conditions of incomplete information, spatial heterogeneity, and uncertainty.

Contemporary issues related to complex interactions taking place in built and urban environments are also emphasized.

Program’s objectives

The Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Engineering offers a wide range of courses grouped in four specializations:

water resources and management (WRM)
climate change anticipation and adaptation (CCAA)
environmental sensing and computation (ESC)
biological and chemical processes in environmental
engineering (BCP)

It is also possible to follow a minor in one of the many domains in which environmental sciences are involved, such as urban planning and territorial development or energy.

Simplified study plan

Please note that the information regarding programs’ structure as well as the simplified study plans may be subject to change and that they are not legally binding. Only the official regulations and study plans are binding.

Admission criteria

This Master’s program is consecutive to a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Engineering obtained at EPFL.

Non-EPFL degrees: Bachelor’s degrees obtained in the same field but from another institution are eligible on the basis of an application dossier and must be accompanied by excellent academic records.
EPFL degrees: EPFL Bachelor’s degrees in another related field of science, engineering and architecture are also subject to a dossier-based analysis and are eligible if they are accompanied by excellent academic records. See detailed conditions

The acquisition of additional credits to fill any gaps may be required.

Please note that meeting all of these criteria is no guarantee of admission.

Further information about admission criteria

Teaching languages

English and French. It is possible to complete this program in English entirely.

Diploma and title obtained

Upon completion of their Master’s curricula, students obtain an EPFL Master of Science MSc in Environmental Sciences and Engineering. The diploma also gives graduates the right to use the title of EPF qualified Engineer.

Online application