UNIL SUR Application Guide 2027: Eligibility, Research Labs and Recommendation Letters

Preparing a successful UNIL SUR application requires careful attention to academic eligibility, research laboratory preferences and supporting documents.

The University of Lausanne’s Summer Undergraduate Research (SUR) Programme offers approximately 15 international undergraduate students an opportunity to conduct supervised biological or medical research in Switzerland.

Selected participants spend eight weeks working in university laboratories, attending academic activities and presenting their findings.

The programme provides scholarship support for accommodation, food and eligible international travel.

Application Deadline: November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CET.

Unlike summer research programmes that accept students from many different educational levels, UNIL SUR has specific undergraduate requirements.

This guide explains how to determine eligibility, choose suitable laboratories and submit a complete application.

UNIL SUR 2027: Application Requirements

1. Confirm Your Undergraduate Eligibility

Before beginning the application, check whether you meet the programme’s academic conditions.

Eligible Academic Fields

The programme is intended for students studying:

• Biology.
• Medicine.
• A related degree with substantial biological sciences content.

Students from interdisciplinary programmes should check whether their studies are sufficiently connected to biology or medical research.

Required University Study Progress

Applicants must have completed two years of bachelor’s study and be enrolled in their third year when UNIL SUR takes place.

The requirement concerns academic progress at the time of the programme, not simply the year of application.

Are Master’s Students Eligible?

No. The programme is designed for eligible undergraduate students.

Students already pursuing master’s or doctoral studies should investigate other research opportunities.

For example, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Requirements Guide covers separate postgraduate and research funding opportunities. Its eligibility rules are different from UNIL SUR.

2. Check the Excluded Academic Disciplines

UNIL explicitly states that students in certain health-related fields are not eligible.

The excluded disciplines include:

• Dentistry.
• Nursing.
• Physiotherapy.
• Kinesiology.
• Veterinary Science.

This distinction matters because a programme involving biological or medical research does not automatically accept every health sciences major.

Applicants should identify the official title and content of their degree before completing the application.

3. Is Previous Laboratory Research Required?

No.

The University of Lausanne states that previous research experience is not a selection criterion.

This makes the programme relevant to students who have strong academic preparation but limited access to laboratory research opportunities at their home universities.

What Can You Highlight Instead?

Applicants may demonstrate their scientific interests through:

• Relevant university coursework.
• Laboratory classes.
• Academic assignments.
• Scientific reading.
• Independent learning.
• Research-related academic interests.

These are suggestions for presenting an academic profile, not separate mandatory documents.

A student without published research can still explain what they hope to learn and why particular research groups are suitable.

4. How to Choose Two Research Laboratories

The application requires candidates to identify two preferred laboratory heads from the participating research groups within the Faculty of Biology and Medicine.

This is an important part of the application.

Step 1: Review the Official Laboratory List

Open the participating laboratories section on the university’s SUR website.

Step 2: Identify Your Research Interests

Consider which topics best match your coursework and scientific goals.

Possible examples include molecular biology, immunology, neuroscience or biomedical research, depending on the laboratories actually participating in the 2027 programme.

Step 3: Study the Laboratory Descriptions

Review the research group’s scientific questions, methods and recent work when available.

Step 4: Select Two Laboratory Heads

Choose two groups whose work genuinely interests you.

Avoid selecting laboratories simply because they appear prestigious.

Step 5: Explain the Academic Match

When completing the application questionnaire, connect your interests and preparation to the selected research areas.

The university’s public application instructions require two laboratory preferences but do not establish a universal requirement to obtain supervisors’ prior agreement.

For comparison, our Purdue SURF Application Guide explains another undergraduate research selection process that also allows students to express research preferences.

5. Prepare the SUR 2027 Application Questionnaire

Applicants must complete the official SUR Programme 2027 Application Questionnaire.

The form is available through the university’s programme website.

What Should You Do Before Completing It?

Read the actual questionnaire carefully.

Prepare accurate information about:

• Your academic background.
• Your area of study.
• Your scientific interests.
• Your motivation for participating.
• Your preferred research laboratories.

These are useful preparation topics; applicants must follow the specific questions and instructions in the official form.

Avoid Generic Responses

Explain your interest in biological research with relevant details.

A clear application should demonstrate why the programme aligns with your education and goals.

Do not claim laboratory experience you do not have.

The programme welcomes applicants without previous research experience.

6. Academic Transcript Requirements

Applicants must upload official academic transcripts showing their university studies and grades.

The University of Lausanne requires:

• Clear academic records.
• PDF or high-quality JPG files as permitted.
• Authenticated translations if the original documents are not in English or French.
• Inclusion of translations in the required document arrangement.
• Files without password protection or encryption.

Applicants must also comply with the programme’s portrait-format document instructions.

Poorly formatted, incomplete or unreadable records can affect the application.

7. How to Arrange Two Academic Recommendation Letters

The programme requires two academic recommendations from people familiar with the applicant’s academic work.

Professors or other appropriate academic instructors may serve as referees.

How Are Recommendations Submitted?

Applicants enter their referees’ contact information into the online application.

The programme automatically sends an email requesting completion of the designated recommendation template.

How to Choose Your Referees

Choose academics who can discuss your:

• Academic performance.
• Scientific understanding.
• Learning ability.
• Reliability.
• Potential for laboratory research.

These are practical selection suggestions rather than a published referee scoring system.

Contact Referees Before Applying

Ask both academics whether they are available to complete the recommendation.

Provide accurate details about the programme and its deadline.

Both recommendation letters must be submitted by November 15, 2026.

Submitting your own form before the deadline is not enough if the recommendation letters arrive late.

Students comparing other research programmes with academic reference requirements can read our RISE Germany Research Internship Guide. Its eligibility restrictions and application process are different.

8. How to Submit the UNIL SUR 2027 Application

Follow the official university procedure.

Step 1: Open the Official Programme Page

Read the 2027 application requirements and confirm that you meet the academic conditions.

Step 2: Review the Participating Laboratories

Identify two laboratory heads relevant to your research interests.

Step 3: Download the Questionnaire

Complete the official 2027 questionnaire and prepare it in the required PDF format.

Step 4: Prepare Academic Records

Upload official transcripts and authenticated translations when necessary.

Step 5: Complete the Online Form

Enter your personal, academic and contact information accurately.

Step 6: Provide Two Referees

Enter the correct contact details for two eligible academic referees.

Step 7: Upload Supporting Documents

Check file format, readability, orientation and completeness.

Step 8: Review Your Application

Confirm that the laboratory preferences and academic information are correct.

Step 9: Submit Before the Deadline

Complete the application before November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CET.

Step 10: Confirm Recommendation Submission

Follow up with both academic referees to make sure their letters reach the university before the same deadline.

Official application information: University of Lausanne SUR 2027

9. What Funding Does the Programme Provide?

The University of Lausanne awards scholarship support to all selected SUR participants.

The university’s published information confirms funding for:

• Travel to and from Lausanne from the country of the student’s university.
• Accommodation during the programme.
• Food during the research stay.

Applicants should not assume that every additional personal expense is reimbursed.

The official programme information does not establish a universal fixed cash stipend for all participants.

10. What Happens During the Research Programme?

Selected students undertake eight weeks of supervised laboratory research.

They attend weekly academic and social activities and develop experience in scientific investigation.

At the conclusion of the programme, participants:

• Present their research findings at a poster symposium.
• Submit a written scientific report.

These activities provide experience in research communication and academic reporting.

For students interested in other funded scientific training opportunities, the GIST Global Internship Programme Guide describes a separate research experience in South Korea. The linked guide concerns a previous programme cycle and should not be used for UNIL deadlines.

11. Common UNIL SUR Application Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

1. Applying without completing two undergraduate years.
2. Applying while enrolled in an excluded academic discipline.
3. Assuming that previous research experience is mandatory.
4. Failing to select two laboratory heads.
5. Submitting an incomplete application questionnaire.
6. Uploading transcripts in an unacceptable format.
7. Forgetting required translations.
8. Using password-protected documents.
9. Providing incorrect referee email addresses.
10. Missing the recommendation letter deadline.
11. Assuming accommodation and travel support cover every personal expense.
12. Confusing UNIL SUR with EPFL’s separate summer research programmes.

For a different type of academic training, our WHO Summer School Application Guide explains a short public health programme in France. It is not a substitute for the UNIL undergraduate laboratory experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Students From Any Country Apply?

Yes. The programme welcomes eligible applicants from universities worldwide.

Is IELTS Required?

The published programme requirements emphasize strong written and spoken English skills. They do not list IELTS as a universal mandatory certificate.

Can Students Without Research Experience Apply?

Yes. Previous laboratory research is not required.

How Many Laboratories Must Applicants Select?

Two laboratory heads from the participating research groups.

Are Recommendation Letters Mandatory?

Yes. Two academic recommendations are required.

Must Both Letters Arrive Before the Deadline?

Yes. The university requires the application and recommendation letters to arrive by November 15, 2026.

Do Applicants Need Supervisor Approval Before Applying?

The university requires applicants to identify two preferred laboratory heads, but the published general instructions do not establish a requirement for prior supervisor approval.

Is Accommodation Provided?

Yes. The programme arranges and pays for accommodation for selected participants.

Final Application Checklist

Before submitting, verify that:

• You study Biology, Medicine or another eligible discipline.
• You will meet the third-year undergraduate requirement.
• Your English communication skills are suitable.
• You can attend all eight weeks.
• You have selected two participating laboratory heads.
• Your 2027 questionnaire is complete.
• Your academic records meet the formatting rules.
• Required translations are included.
• Two academic referees have agreed to participate.
• Your application has been submitted.
• Both recommendation letters have arrived before the deadline.

Conclusion

A strong UNIL SUR 2027 application depends on meeting the university’s academic eligibility requirements and submitting a complete application.

The programme offers a valuable first research experience for eligible undergraduate students in biology, medicine and related life sciences.

Applicants should pay particular attention to selecting two suitable research laboratories, preparing the official questionnaire and arranging two academic recommendations.

The application deadline is November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CET.

Official Sources

• University of Lausanne — SUR Programme 2027
• University of Lausanne — SUR Application Instructions
• University of Lausanne — Summer Schools