Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
Where creative rigor meets global design influence.
📍 Lausanne, Switzerland 🇨🇭
🏆 #1 in Switzerland
Quick Facts about Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
- Type: Public
- Students: 600
- International: 40%
- Campus: Urban
- Tuition: $580 – $580/year
- Language: French, English
- Intakes: September, January, February
About Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
Academics
ECAL offers a diverse range of programs across six main departments including Fine Arts, Cinema, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Photography, and Media and Interaction Design. The teaching approach is heavily project based and emphasizes practical application through workshops led by world class professionals and visiting artists. This multidisciplinary environment encourages students to collaborate across different fields to foster innovation. The school is particularly famous for its Master in Product Design and its Type Design programs which are considered global benchmarks in the industry.
International Students
The university maintains a highly cosmopolitan atmosphere with approximately half of its student body consisting of international citizens representing over forty nationalities. While the primary language of instruction for Bachelor programs is French, many Master programs and specialized workshops are conducted in English to accommodate global talent. The school provides various support services to assist with Swiss residency permits and housing searches in the local area. Students also benefit from a tight knit community that organizes frequent exhibitions and social events to help newcomers integrate into Swiss culture.
Campus & Location
The campus is situated in a renovated former hosiery factory in Renens, a vibrant suburb of Lausanne that provides a spacious and industrial aesthetic for creative work. Lausanne itself is a dynamic Olympic capital located on the shores of Lake Geneva, offering a high quality of life and breathtaking Alpine views. The campus is exceptionally well connected by the local M1 metro line and regional trains, making it easy to explore the city center or travel to nearby Geneva. Students have access to state of the art facilities including professional film studios, digital printing labs, and extensive prototyping workshops.
Career Outcomes
ECAL boasts an exceptional employment rate with graduates frequently securing positions at major global brands such as Apple, Nike, and Hermès. The institution maintains strong ties with the industry through high profile partnerships and annual presentations at major events like Milan Design Week. Career services provide students with networking opportunities and guidance on intellectual property to help them launch their own studios or startups. The school’s reputation ensures that its alumni are highly sought after by creative agencies and cultural institutions worldwide.
Information for International Students at Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) in Lausanne, Switzerland welcomes international students, with 40% of the student body coming from abroad.
- 40% of students are international
- Visa support available
- No on-campus work
- Student housing available (~$600/month)
- Work placement / internship opportunities available
- Teaching languages: French, English
Admissions Requirements for Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
Here are the key admission requirements for international students applying to Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL):
- IELTS minimum: 9
- TOEFL minimum: 120
- Application fee: $150
- Selectivity: Very Selective (<20%)
- Application deadline: February 13, 2026 (for Bachelor's artistic talent applications and foreign diploma equivalence requests), March 2, 2026 (for Master's with non-related Bachelor's degree), February 17, 2025 (for Foundation Year tuition reduction requests)
Apply to Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) →
Programs at Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) (19 programs)
Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) offers 19 programs across Bachelor, Master levels.
Bachelor Programs (8)
- Bachelor in Graphic Design (BA) — 36 months · French · $1,925/yr
Focuses on typography, editorial design, and visual identity through both traditional print and digital media.
Field: Graphic Design
Career outcomes: Graphic Designer, Art Director, Type Designer - Bachelor in Media & Interaction Design (BA) — 36 months · French · $1,925/yr · STEM
Explores the intersection of design and technology, focusing on user experience, coding, and interactive installations.
Field: Interaction Design
Career outcomes: Interaction Designer, UX/UI Designer, Creative Technologist - Cinema (BA) — 36 months · French · $1,925/yr · Scholarship available
Covers directing, screenwriting, editing, and sound for film production. Students learn the technical and narrative skills required for professional filmmaking.
Field: Film/Media
Career outcomes: Director, editor, cinematographer, producer
Deadline: Mid-March annually - Media & Interaction Design (BA) — 36 months · French · $1,925/yr · Scholarship available
Explores digital interfaces, coding for art, and interactive installations. Students bridge the gap between technology and design for future digital experiences.
Field: Design/Tech
Career outcomes: UX/UI designer, interaction designer, creative coder
Deadline: Mid-March annually - Bachelor in Industrial Design (BA) — 36 months · French · $1,925/yr
Students learn to design objects and furniture by balancing aesthetic innovation with functional and industrial constraints.
Field: Industrial Design
Career outcomes: Industrial Designer, Product Designer, Furniture Designer - Bachelor in Fine Arts (BA) — 36 months · French · $1,925/yr
Students explore contemporary artistic practices through painting, sculpture, and installation while developing a critical personal discourse.
Field: Fine Arts
Career outcomes: Artist, Curator, Art Teacher - Bachelor in Cinema (BA) — 36 months · French · $1,925/yr
A comprehensive program covering screenwriting, directing, and technical production for film and documentary filmmaking.
Field: Cinema
Career outcomes: Director, Editor, Cinematographer - Bachelor in Photography (BA) — 36 months · French · $1,925/yr
Covers technical mastery and conceptual development in commercial, fashion, and documentary photography.
Field: Photography
Career outcomes: Photographer, Photo Editor, Retoucher
Master Programs (9)
- Master in Photography (MA) — 24 months · English · $1,925/yr
Advanced study in photographic language, focusing on the production of a major personal project and digital innovation.
Field: Photography
Career outcomes: Art Photographer, Visual Researcher, Creative Director - Film (MA) — 24 months · English · $1,925/yr · Scholarship available
Specializations in Direction, Screenplay, Editing, Sound, or Production. This program focuses on professionalizing the student's cinematic vision and technical mastery.
Field: Cinema
Career outcomes: Film professional, independent filmmaker
Deadline: Late March / Early April annually - Fine Arts (MA) — 24 months · English · $1,925/yr · Scholarship available
Advanced research-based artistic practice through the European Art Ensemble. Students engage in high-level critical discourse and professional exhibition projects.
Field: Visual Arts
Career outcomes: Professional artist, researcher, academic
Deadline: Late March / Early April annually - Photography (MA) — 24 months · English · $1,925/yr · Scholarship available
Focuses on the boundaries of photography in the digital age and post-photography. Students explore new visual languages and technological impacts on the image.
Field: Visual Arts
Career outcomes: Art photographer, visual researcher, curator
Deadline: Late March / Early April annually - Master in Fine Arts (MA) — 24 months · French · $1,925/yr
An advanced program for artists to refine their practice and engage with the international contemporary art scene.
Field: Fine Arts
Career outcomes: Professional Artist, Art Consultant, Gallery Manager - Master in Film (MA) — 24 months · French · $1,925/yr
A joint program with HEAD-Genève focusing on directing and screenwriting for feature-length projects.
Field: Cinema
Career outcomes: Film Director, Producer, Scriptwriter - Master in Type Design (MA) — 24 months · English · $1,925/yr
Specialized program focusing on the creation of typefaces and the history of letterforms for digital and print use.
Field: Type Design
Career outcomes: Type Designer, Font Developer, Brand Identity Specialist - Master in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship (MA) — 12 months · English · $1,925/yr
A unique program collaborating with luxury brands to design watches, jewelry, and high-end accessories.
Field: Luxury Design
Career outcomes: Luxury Goods Designer, Watch Designer, Creative Consultant - Master in Product Design (MA) — 24 months · English · $1,925/yr
Focuses on high-level industrial design, luxury craftsmanship, and innovative manufacturing processes.
Field: Product Design
Career outcomes: Design Lead, Product Manager, Entrepreneur
Scholarships & Tuition at Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
Annual tuition for international students: $580 – $580/year
✅ Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) offers scholarships for international students. Check the official website for eligibility, amounts, and deadlines.
Rankings of Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
- National Ranking: #1 in Switzerland
- Ranking tier: Unranked
- Research output: High
Campus & Facilities at Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
- Student housing available
- Sports facilities available
- Disability support available
- Campus type: Urban
- Average class size: 25
- Housing cost: ~$600/month
Key Highlights
- Consistently ranked among top ten global schools
- Renowned for practical project-based teaching
- Global benchmark for product and type design
- Cosmopolitan student body from forty nationalities
- Located in a renovated industrial factory
- Strong bridge between art and commercial viability
Accreditation
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (HES-SO)
Fields of Study at Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
- Art
- Design
Notable Alumni
- Nicolas Party
- Namsa Leuba
- Julie Richoz
- Ini Archibong
- Claude Barras
Frequently Asked Questions about Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)
What is Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)?
Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) is a public university located in Lausanne, Switzerland. It has approximately 600 students, with 40% being international students.
How much does it cost to study at Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)?
Tuition fees at Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) for international students range from $580 – $580/year. Student housing costs approximately $600/month. Scholarships are available for international students.
What are the admission requirements for Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)?
IELTS minimum: 9. TOEFL minimum: 120. Application fee: $150. Selectivity: Very Selective (<20%). Application deadline: February 13, 2026 (for Bachelor's artistic talent applications and foreign diploma equivalence requests), March 2, 2026 (for Master's with non-related Bachelor's degree), February 17, 2025 (for Foundation Year tuition reduction requests).
What language are courses taught in at Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL)?
Courses at Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) are taught in French and English. International students need a minimum IELTS score of 9.
How many programs does Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) offer?
Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) offers 19 programs: 8 Bachelor's, 9 Master's, and 0 PhD programs across various fields of study.
What is Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) ranked?
#1 in Switzerland.
Does Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) offer scholarships?
Yes, Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) offers scholarships for international students. Visit the university's official financial aid page for current opportunities, eligibility criteria, and deadlines.
Does Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) provide visa support?
Yes, Haute école d'art et de design de Lausanne (ECAL) provides visa support for international students. Student housing is also available.
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