Forum EPFL 2026 – Student Recruitment Fair Switzerland

What to expect in 2026

Forum EPFL is one of Europe’s largest student recruitment fairs, bringing students, graduates and doctoral candidates together with employers, startups, NGOs, international organisations and research laboratories. The 2026 edition is the 44th edition and is scheduled for 5–9 October at the SwissTech Convention Center on the EPFL campus in Lausanne. The official event site lists 195 companies, 118 startups, 45 NGOs/IGOs/labs and an expected 23,500 visitors.

Although the supplied event is the 2026 edition, the event has an established annual format, so the same structure is expected to continue for 2027. The week combines company presentations, startup activities, NGO/IGO and laboratory activities, company stands, workshops, interviews and networking opportunities.

Forum EPFL is particularly useful for students looking for internships, graduate positions, research opportunities and full-time employment. Companies can meet candidates directly, present their organisation, conduct interviews and organise workshops designed around recruitment and employer engagement.

Universities & educational institutions

Forum EPFL is hosted within the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) campus and is closely connected with the university’s student, graduate and doctoral community. The event is designed primarily around the professional integration of EPFL students and graduates.

EPFL students can use the Forum to meet employers across technology, engineering, finance, consulting, research, industry and other professional fields. The event also works with the wider academic and research ecosystem through participating laboratories, organisations and technology-focused institutions.

The event’s educational support extends beyond the recruitment days. Forum EPFL organises Skills Week activities where students can meet experts from universities and multinational companies and receive support with CVs and cover letters.

Courses & study programmes

Forum EPFL is primarily a recruitment and career event rather than a conventional university admissions fair. Its academic relevance comes from the large number of students, graduates and doctoral candidates participating in the event.

The programme is particularly relevant to students enrolled in technical, scientific, engineering, computer science, life sciences, management and related disciplines because participating organisations recruit candidates with specialised academic and technical backgrounds.

Students can use presentations and workshops to understand what employers expect from graduates, discover internship and employment pathways, and learn how different sectors use skills developed through university studies.

The event can therefore complement formal academic programmes by connecting students’ education with practical career opportunities, industrial projects, research environments and professional development.

Exhibitors & education providers

The 2026 Forum EPFL features 195 companies, 118 startups and 45 NGOs, IGOs and laboratories. This makes the event substantially broader than a traditional employer exhibition, with participants representing commercial, research and non-profit organisations.

Companies can choose from several participation formats, including exhibition stands, presentations, workshops, interview rooms and networking lunches. The official organiser information states that company stands are available in sizes from 6 to 36 square metres.

Participating organisations can therefore interact with students in different ways, from large-scale presentations and exhibition stands to smaller recruitment meetings and interactive workshops.

Seminars, talks & workshops

Forum EPFL combines employer presentations with interactive sessions throughout the week. Company presentations give organisations an opportunity to explain their activities, working methods, objectives and recruitment criteria directly to students and graduates.

Workshops provide a more interactive format. Participating organisations can select a theme and format and use dedicated rooms for activities such as case studies, roundtables and presentation sessions.

The 2026 programme also includes an Opening Conference. The official event information states that the Opening Conference takes place on Monday 5 October at the SwissTech Convention Center and is free to attend without registration.

Event dates

Dates: 05–09 October 2026

Edition: 44th edition

Duration: Five days

The 2026 edition begins on Monday 5 October and runs through Friday 9 October. The week follows the established Forum EPFL format, with different days dedicated to different types of employer and student interaction.

The main recruitment activities are spread across the week, allowing visitors to attend company presentations, startup activities, NGO/IGO and laboratory activities, workshops, stands and interviews.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & event site

Venue: SwissTech Convention Center

Location: EPFL campus, Lausanne, Switzerland

EPFL address: Station 10, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland

The SwissTech Convention Center is located at the heart of the EPFL campus. Forum EPFL uses the convention centre and surrounding campus facilities for its presentations, stands, workshops, interviews and networking activities.

The venue provides dedicated spaces for large presentations as well as smaller professional meetings. Company presentations use conference rooms equipped with audiovisual facilities, while workshops are held in configurable rooms designed for groups of approximately 30 to 50 students.

Full education programme

The 2026 programme is structured around several distinct days and activities rather than one continuous academic conference.

Monday – Get Ready and company presentations

The opening day focuses on preparing students for recruitment and introducing participating employers. The week also begins with the Opening Conference at the SwissTech Convention Center.

Tuesday – Start-Up Day

Tuesday is dedicated to startups. The official organisers describe Start-Up Day as a dedicated opportunity for startups and students to meet, with startup booths, conferences and other activities. The 2026 edition marks the 18th anniversary of Start-Up Day.

Wednesday – NGO, IGO and laboratory activities

Wednesday provides a dedicated environment for NGOs, IGOs and laboratories, alongside company presentations and other programme activities.

Thursday and Friday – Stand days

Thursday and Friday are the main company stand days. Students can meet participating organisations directly, while workshops, interview booths and networking lunches provide additional opportunities for recruitment and professional contact.

Admission & registration

Admission to Forum EPFL is free for visitors. The official practical-information page states that anyone is free to visit during the week and that no general registration is required for visitors.

Students, graduates and doctoral candidates can access additional services through the Forum EPFL platform. Some activities, including workshops, interview booths and contact lunches, require prior registration or contact with the relevant company.

Students who want to make the most of the event should create their student account, review participating organisations, prepare their CV and identify presentations or workshops relevant to their career interests.

Scholarships & funding opportunities

Forum EPFL is not primarily a scholarship fair and does not operate as a conventional financial-aid exhibition. Its main purpose is student recruitment, career development and employer networking.

However, students may discover organisations offering paid internships, graduate employment, research positions and other professional opportunities. Some participating employers may also have programmes supporting students and early-career professionals.

Students interested in scholarships or academic funding should use Forum EPFL primarily as a networking opportunity and then discuss specific funding programmes directly with participating universities, laboratories, companies or organisations.

Student services & career guidance

Forum EPFL provides several services designed to help students prepare for recruitment. The Skills Week is particularly important because it gives students opportunities to meet experts and receive support with CVs and cover letters.

The Forum also provides a mentoring programme in cooperation with EPFL Alumni. It is aimed at students completing Master’s or Doctorate degrees and connects them with experienced alumni who can provide guidance as they begin their careers.

During the main Forum week, students can also use company presentations, workshops, interviews and networking lunches to improve their understanding of recruitment processes and establish direct contacts with potential employers.

International study opportunities

Although Forum EPFL is primarily a recruitment fair, its international employer base gives students exposure to companies and organisations operating in Switzerland and abroad.

Participating companies can represent international technology, engineering, consulting, finance, research and industrial sectors. Students can use presentations and conversations with recruiters to learn about international career paths, graduate programmes, internships and opportunities outside Switzerland.

The event is therefore particularly useful for students who want to understand how their EPFL qualifications can translate into careers across international companies and research organisations.

Event rules & visitor information

Forum EPFL is open to the public, while its recruitment-focused services have specific access arrangements. The organisers state that company presentations and stand visits are open to everyone. Workshops, interview booths and contact lunches may require prior registration or contact between the student and company through the Forum platform.

Visitors should follow instructions from event staff and participating organisations, particularly in interview and workshop areas. Students attending recruitment meetings should bring an updated CV and dress appropriately for professional interactions.

The Forum is organised by a student committee and is designed to facilitate professional integration, networking and direct contact between students and employers.

How to get there

The SwissTech Convention Center is located on the EPFL campus in Lausanne. The official visitor address is EPFL, Station 10, 1015 Lausanne.

From Renens VD, visitors can take the M1 metro to the EPFL stop and follow the signs to the event.

From Lausanne-Gare, visitors can take the M2 metro to Lausanne-Flon and then change to the M1 toward EPFL. The organisers estimate the journey from Lausanne-Gare at approximately 16 minutes.

Visitors arriving by taxi should request the SwissTech Convention Center in Ecublens.

Public transport & parking

From Renens VD: Take the M1 metro to EPFL and follow the Forum signs.

From Lausanne-Gare: Take the M2 to Lausanne-Flon, then transfer to the M1 to EPFL.

By car: From the A1 motorway, take Exit 17 toward Lausanne-Sud and follow signs for EPFL.

Parking: The official 2026 information lists several parking options, including Parking Les Arcades with 80 spaces, Parking Chamberonne with 50 spaces, Parking Bourdonnette with 250 spaces and Parking Rolex Learning Center. Published rates are approximately $35 per day for Les Arcades, $9 per day for Chamberonne, $17 per day for Bourdonnette and approximately $2 per hour at Rolex Learning Center, based on the organiser’s listed Swiss-franc rates and an approximate conversion to USD.

Public transport is generally the easiest option because the EPFL campus has direct M1 metro access.

Accommodation areas

Visitors travelling to Lausanne for Forum EPFL can consider accommodation in central Lausanne, around Lausanne-Gare, near the Flon district or closer to the EPFL campus.

Lausanne city centre: A practical option for visitors who want restaurants, shops and evening activities within walking distance.

Lausanne-Gare: Convenient for visitors arriving by train and connecting to EPFL via the M2 and M1.

Flon: A central district with restaurants, entertainment and easy access to Lausanne’s metro network.

Ecublens and EPFL area: Useful for visitors who want to stay closer to the SwissTech Convention Center and reduce daily travel time.

Because the Forum attracts thousands of visitors, accommodation should ideally be reserved early for the October event period.

Accessibility

The event is held at the SwissTech Convention Center on the EPFL campus, a major modern conference facility. Visitors who require specific accessibility arrangements should check the latest venue information or contact the Forum EPFL team before attending.

The official practical-information page provides detailed transport and parking guidance and directs visitors to the event team for questions.

The central campus location and direct M1 metro connection also make public transport a practical option for many visitors.

Previous year’s highlights

The 2025 edition was the 43rd Forum EPFL and took place from 6–10 October 2025. The official event site reported 187 companies, 128 startups, 18 NGOs/IGOs and approximately 22,000 visitors.

The 2025 programme included company presentations, a dedicated Start-Up Day, NGO/IGO activities, company stands, workshops, interviews and contact lunches. The published programme placed the main stand days on Thursday and Friday.

The previous edition also demonstrated the scale of employer participation. The organiser’s company information highlighted 188 Swiss and international companies, 182 company stands over two days, 133 startups, 27 interview rooms, 3,062 registered CVs and 14 workshops in its published 2025 statistics.

Official registration

Official visitor information and the latest 2026 programme are available through the Forum EPFL website. General visitors do not need to register simply to attend the fair, while students who want to participate in specific services such as workshops, interviews, contact lunches and mentoring should use the Forum’s registration platform.

The official website is:

Forum EPFL 2026 – Official Website