The Swiss education system is renowned worldwide and Vaud is the canton with the greatest number of higher education establishments and private schools offering educational possibilities in all fields of learning.

Vaud public education has an excellent reputation both at primary and secondary levels or as part of professional and academic training.

Compulsory schooling, which benefits from major public investment, lasts for nine years. It is followed either by professional education (an apprenticeship at a company or Higher Technical colleges), or by secondary education (high school) which opens the door to higher education (university or specialised higher education). Lausanne University (UNIL) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) both offer a complete academic programme, and also include a wide range of post-graduate studies with the emphasis on advanced research and training in the latest technologies.

Basic education

Department of Public Education
Vaud Association of Private Schools (more than 50 private schools)
Ecole Internationale de Genève


Higher education

Lausanne University (UNIL)
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
International Institute for Management Development (IMD)


Specialised higher education

Lausanne Hotel School (EHL)
Glion Hotel School
Leysin American School
Canton of Vaud Engineering College (EIVD)
Swiss French School of Arts and Communication (ERACOM)
Vaud Business Computing College (ESVIG)
Canton of Vaud Management College (HEG)
Lausanne School of Decorative Arts (ECAL)


Sports-related training

Institut of Sports and Physical Activity at Lausanne University (ISSEP)
Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration
(IDHEAP offers training in specialised sports management)
International Academy for Science and Technology of Sports (AISTS)


Artistic training for professionals and amateurs

Lausanne Music Academy
School of Jazz and Contemporary Music (EJMA)
Rudra Béjart Studio-School in Lausanne