EPFL vs UNSW: Complete Comparison 2026
Side-by-side look at EPFL and The University of New South Wales: QS 2026 ranks 22 vs 20. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typical IB/A-Level signals —…
Summary comparison
Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.
| Metric | EPFL | The University of New South Wales |
|---|---|---|
| QS rank 2026 | 22 | 20 |
| Country | CH 🇨🇭 | AU 🇦🇺 |
| Acceptance rate | 20% | 45% |
| Tuition (intl / yr) | $1,600 | $40,000 |
| Language (summary) | IELTS 7+ · TOEFL 100+ · Duolingo 120+ | IELTS 6.5+ · TOEFL 90+ · Duolingo 105+ |
| IB typical | IB ~38 | IB ~35 |
| A-Level typical | — | — |
Strengths
EPFL
- Top 30 global recognition in QS World University Rankings 2026.
- Selective admissions compared with many peers.
- Large, diverse international student body.
The University of New South Wales
- Top 30 global recognition in QS World University Rankings 2026.
- Large, diverse international student body.
- Major research university scale with broad programme choice.
Popular majors (overlap)
Where both profiles list the same popular major label (case-insensitive).
- computer-science
- economics
- mathematics
- law
- medicine
- engineering-science
- philosophy-politics-economics
- biochemistry
- history
- psychology-philosophy-linguistics
Which is right for you?
If rankings are your north star
UNSW sits higher in QS 2026 (20 vs 22). That often correlates with research intensity and global name recognition — but EPFL can still win on programme fit, city, or cost.
If budget is the deciding factor
All-in signals favour EPFL on tuition plus living costs in our dataset — re-check official fee schedules because currency, programme, and visa rules move yearly.
If you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school
Compare the admission tabs on each profile: EPFL vs UNSW can invert depending on whether you are optimising for IB typical offers, A-level expectations, or US-style testing. Use the evaluator after you narrow your list.
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