University of Lausanne

University of Lausanne (UNIL) is a public research university located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The history of the University of Lausanne (UNIL) can be traced back to 1537, when the Schola Lausannensis was founded as a school of theology. The school was established by the Protestant Bernese authorities, one year after they had annexed the territory of Vaud from the Catholic Duchy of Savoy.

The Schola Lausannensis was initially intended to train pastors for the reformed church. However, it soon expanded its curriculum to include other subjects, such as law, philosophy, and medicine. In 1854, the school was renamed the Académie de Lausanne.

In 1890, the Académie de Lausanne was granted the status of a university. This marked the beginning of a period of rapid growth for the institution. New faculties were established, and the number of students increased significantly.

In 1970, the university moved to its current campus in Dorigny, on the outskirts of Lausanne. The new campus was designed to accommodate the growing number of students and faculty, and to provide a modern and efficient environment for teaching and research.

Today, the University of Lausanne is one of the leading universities in Switzerland and Europe. It is a member of the Coimbra Group, a network of leading European universities. UNIL is also a member of the European University Association (EUA).

The University of Lausanne is a prestigious institution with a rich history. It has played a significant role in the development of education and research in Switzerland and around the world.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, University of Lausanne is positioned as the #224 top university in the world, which makes it the #7 top university in Switzerland. The university's global rank decreased by 4 points from last year.