Switzerland · Master's
EPFL
MSc Data Science
EPFL
Course Overview
EPFL's MSc Data Science is one of Europe's most rigorous data-science Master's — a joint programme between the School of Computer and Communication Sciences and the College of Management, with serious depth in statistical machine learning, big-data systems, deep learning, and the mathematics of data. Taught entirely in English at EPFL's Lake Geneva campus, with semesters benchmarked against MIT, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon.
Sri Lankan applicants with strong BSc backgrounds in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or Physics from Moratuwa, Colombo UCSC, Peradeniya, SLIIT, IIT, or international universities are the right fit. Tuition is CHF 730/semester (~CHF 1,460/year). The cohort is heavily international. EPFL's Innovation Park hosts spin-offs and major research labs from Logitech, Nestlé, Cisco, Intel, and ETH spin-off ecosystem — internship and thesis placements are integrated.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Physics, or closely-related quantitative discipline — Sri Lankan SLQF Level 6 with GPA equivalent to first-class.
- check_circle Strong grounding in calculus, linear algebra, probability, statistics, and programming (Python preferred). Transcripts and Bachelor's thesis are reviewed in detail.
- check_circle Statement of purpose, CV, and 2 academic references.
- check_circle GRE General is recommended for borderline applicants; not required for first-class Sri Lankan engineering graduates.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall.
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 100 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge C1 Advanced or higher.
- check_circle Waived if your Bachelor's was taught entirely in English at a recognised institution (Sri Lankan English-medium degrees qualify).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (CHF) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | CHF 1,460 | Rs. 540,000 |
| Accommodation in Lausanne (per year) | CHF 12,000 | Rs. 4,440,000 |
| Living Expenses & Food (per year) | CHF 9,000 | Rs. 3,330,000 |
| Health Insurance & Mandatory Fees | CHF 1,800 | Rs. 666,000 |
| Estimated Annual Investment | CHF 24,260 | Rs. 8,976,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
EPFL Data Science Master's graduates are placed into Switzerland's tech and finance corridor: Google Zurich, Microsoft Research, IBM Research Zurich, Logitech, Nestlé R&D, Philip Morris International, P&G Geneva, UBS, Swiss Re, Zurich Insurance, and the Lake Geneva fintech and biotech clusters. Switzerland's 6-month post-graduation permit and STEM-exempt work-permit conversion under the ~8,500/year non-EU quota applies. Starting salaries: CHF 95k–115k. Sri Lankan returnees take senior data-science roles at WSO2, IFS R&D, Virtusa Labs, Dialog Axiata, HSBC SL, Sysco LABS, and Big Four Colombo data practices.
Related Programs
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ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.