Haute école d'ingénierie et de gestion du canton de Vaud (HEIG-VD)

The Haute école d'ingénierie et de gestion du canton de Vaud (HEIG-VD) is a leading public university of applied sciences located in the historic town of Yverdon-les-Bains. As the largest branch of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), it provides a practical and innovative environment for approximately 2,000 students. The institution is dedicated to bridging the gap between academic theory and industrial application through its extensive network of research institutes and industry partnerships.

Academics

HEIG-VD offers nine specialized Bachelor programs across the domains of engineering and business management, including unique offerings like Media Engineering and Geomatics. The teaching approach emphasizes applied research and development, ensuring that students engage in hands-on projects that solve real-world technical and economic challenges. Notable programs such as Industrial Engineering and Management provide multidisciplinary training by combining technical expertise with organizational and managerial skills. Students can choose from various study modes, including full-time, part-time, or work-study tracks, which allow for a seamless integration of professional experience into the curriculum.

International Students

The International Office provides comprehensive support for incoming students, assisting with visa applications, health insurance requirements, and finding local accommodation in student residences or private homestays. While Bachelor courses are primarily taught in French, the university offers a Management program with English-taught modules and allows for internships and final theses to be supervised in English. All students automatically become members of the Association Générale des Étudiants (AGE), which fosters cultural integration through social events, company visits, and networking opportunities. Financial support is available for international mobility through the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP) and specific HES-SO grants for students from outside Europe.

Campus & Location

The university is spread across three modern sites in Yverdon-les-Bains, including the Cheseaux campus and the Y-Parc technology park, which is one of the largest innovation hubs in Switzerland. Yverdon-les-Bains is a scenic thermal city situated on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel, offering students a high quality of life with easy access to water sports, thermal spas, and historic sites. The campus is exceptionally well-connected by the Swiss federal railway system, making major cities like Lausanne and Geneva reachable in less than an hour. Students benefit from local mobility initiatives, such as subsidized annual subscriptions for the regional bike-sharing network.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of HEIG-VD enjoy high employment rates due to the school's strong reputation for producing industry-ready professionals with practical problem-solving skills. The dedicated Career Center facilitates direct connections with employers through job fairs, recruitment workshops, and a specialized portal for internships and entry-level positions. The university's location within the Y-Parc innovation park provides a unique ecosystem for startup culture, allowing students to collaborate with over 200 high-tech companies. Many alumni go on to hold key positions in Swiss engineering firms, multinational corporations, and public administrations across the Canton of Vaud and beyond.