Find a language exchange partner at University Lausanne (UNIL)
UNIL had 17’663 students enrolled in the autumn semester of 2025. Its international student guide for 2026/27 puts the share of international students at 26 %. That is a large, internationally mixed community, but finding someone with the right language, learning goal and weekly schedule still takes more than chance.
On Sprachtandem.ch, you can add UNIL to your profile and filter the search for people who have selected the same university. This is useful when you are new to Lausanne, fitting practice around study or research, or balancing commitments across UNIL-Dorigny, UNIL-CHUV and UNIL-Épalinges. University information is self-declared on Sprachtandem.ch and is not verified by UNIL.
Find language exchange partners at UNIL
Why arrange a language exchange within UNIL?
In the 2025 calendar year, 44,2 % of students entering the first year of a Master’s programme came from outside UNIL: 19,1 % from another Swiss higher education institution and 25,1 % from another higher education institution. Many therefore start with new academic vocabulary, timetables and a still-developing local network. A UNIL-based search gives both partners a useful point of reference before the first message.
- Most courses are taught in French, while a significant number are available in English, according to the 2026/27 international student guide. A tandem can cover both everyday French and English used in academic settings.
- The official campus map distinguishes UNIL-Dorigny, UNIL-CHUV and UNIL-Épalinges, so partners can coordinate travel time and meeting formats more realistically.
- UNIL counted more than 200 research units in 2025, spanning genomics, film aesthetics, environmental law and forensic science. That breadth provides material for general and subject-related conversation.
- A community of 17’663 students offers a wider pool in which to look for a compatible level, goal and time slot rather than matching on target language alone.
A language pair is only the starting point. Finding the Ideal Language Exchange Partner helps you compare goals, pace and expectations.
New: Add your university to your profile
When you list UNIL in your profile, you can narrow the search to people who have also selected UNIL, then compare their language pair, level, objective and availability. Across Dorigny, CHUV and Épalinges, that shared reference can make it easier to discuss where and when regular practice might fit.
The institution field comes from each person’s own profile. It is not proof of official affiliation, and Sprachtandem.ch is an independent platform rather than an official UNIL service or partner. For help with existing profile details, see Your Sprachtandem.ch-Account.
Create a profile for your UNIL language exchange
How to search within your university
- Add UNIL as your university in your profile. Get Started with Sprachtandem.ch explains how profile and search work together.
- Choose the language you offer and the language you want to practise. Add a clear goal, such as joining seminar discussions, preparing a presentation or handling everyday conversations in French.
- Use the university filter and select UNIL. Then review level, interests and usual availability rather than relying on the university field alone.
- Compare profiles by learning style and preferred rhythm. The advice on Finding the Ideal Language Exchange Partner can help you align expectations.
- Send a message and arrange an online session or a clear, well-frequented meeting point at UNIL-Dorigny, UNIL-CHUV or UNIL-Épalinges, depending on where you will both be. Follow the guidance on how to Keep Sprachtandem.ch safe.
Search for UNIL tandem partners
From Dorigny to CHUV and Épalinges: French day to day, English in academic work
The 2026/27 guide states that most UNIL courses are taught in French and that a significant number are available in English. The community also moves between UNIL-Dorigny, UNIL-CHUV and UNIL-Épalinges. A partner from the same institution can therefore build sessions around the language situations and travel patterns that actually shape the week.
For French, you might practise seminar participation, university administration or everyday conversations in Lausanne; Learning French provides a starting point. For English, try summarising an abstract, explaining a poster or preparing for an international research conversation; see Learning English. A clear language switch and one small objective per meeting help create a routine, while Make the Most of Your Practice Session offers practical structure.
The university filter supports a campus-based match, while Language exchange in Lausanne opens the search to the wider local context.
Who is a UNIL language tandem for?
A university-based tandem is useful when language learning needs to fit real study and working situations.
- Exchange students and international newcomers can practise French for teaching, administration and daily life in Lausanne while offering a language they speak confidently.
- Master’s students arriving from another institution can meet people beyond their own programme and build a broader local network.
- Doctoral candidates and researchers can alternate between everyday conversation and accessible discussion of work from UNIL’s broad research landscape.
- Staff at Dorigny, CHUV or Épalinges can combine online and in-person sessions around their workplace and schedule.
- French-speaking members of the UNIL community can practise English or another language while sharing insight into local French usage and university life.
Start your language exchange at UNIL
With 17’663 students and a community active across Dorigny, CHUV and Épalinges, a precise search is more useful than a broad request for somebody who speaks French or English. Add UNIL to your profile, define one realistic goal and look for a partner whose availability suits your study or working week.
The shared university context provides useful topics from the outset. Clear expectations, balanced speaking time and regular contact turn that common ground into steady progress.
Frequently asked questions about language exchange at UNIL
How do I add UNIL to my profile and search for it?
Add the University of Lausanne, or UNIL, as your university in your profile. You can then use the university filter in the tandem search to view people who have also selected UNIL. The information is supplied by users themselves and is not verified by the university, so also check each person’s learning goal, language level, profile description and availability.
Can we meet if we are based at different UNIL locations?
Yes. The official campus map distinguishes UNIL-Dorigny, UNIL-CHUV and UNIL-Épalinges. Agree in advance where each of you will be that day and allow realistic travel time. You can also hold some sessions online. For a first in-person meeting, choose a clearly agreed, well-frequented place and avoid sharing private information that is not needed to organise the exchange.
Which languages are particularly useful for a tandem at UNIL?
French is an obvious choice because the 2026/27 international student guide says that most courses are taught in French. The same guide notes that a significant number of courses are available in English, making English relevant for parts of study and research as well. Your own objective remains decisive, and you may choose any other available language when a suitable profile exists.
Is the platform only for enrolled Bachelor’s and Master’s students?
No. A language exchange can also suit exchange students, doctoral candidates, researchers, teaching staff, administrative staff and people who have recently joined the university community. Your role at UNIL matters less than having a realistic goal and offering a fair two-way exchange. Selecting UNIL in a profile is not proof of university affiliation and is not verified by the institution.
Why is the UNIL filter useful for new Master’s students?
In the 2025 calendar year, 44,2 % of students entering the first year of a Master’s programme came from outside UNIL. Many are therefore adjusting to a new academic environment and building a new local network at the same time. The university filter can focus the search on people who selected UNIL and may share similar schedules and locations, giving the first conversation a useful starting point.