HEC Lausanne (standing for Faculté des Hautes études commerciales), also called the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Lausanne, is the affiliated business school of the University of Lausanne. Since 1911, HEC Lausanne has been developing teaching and research in the field of business and economics. HEC Lausanne offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees, as well as executive education, professional certification, and professional development programs, including a part-time Executive MBA, short, open courses, and tailor-made programs for organizations.
It is considered as one of the 3 leading Swiss business schools, alongside the University of St. Gallen, and the IMD (International Institute for Management Development), also based in Lausanne.
Contents
History
In 1537, the Academy of Lausanne was founded as a school of theology. In 1890, the Academy of Lausanne received the status of a University; economics was taught within the Faculty of Law. This period was strongly influenced by Léon Walras (1834–1910), the founder of the Lausanne School and creator of the general equilibrium theory. It was also the time of Vilfredo Pareto (1848–1923), the famous author of the concept of Pareto efficiency.
On April 15, 1911, the "Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales" (HEC) was founded by Léon Morf and Georges Paillard within the Faculty of Law. The same year, the school welcomed its 12 first students. Léon Morf, professor of management tools, public accounting, and financial mathematics was its first dean, followed by Georges Paillard.[2]
Over the years, professors like Henri Rieben, founder of the first department of European Integration, François Schaller, President of the Bank Council of the Swiss National Bank from 1986 to 1989, perpetuated the reputation of the school.
In November 2025, the Vaud Council of State responded to a parliamentary interpellation concerning a dismissal within the HEC Faculty of the University of Lausanne and broader concerns about UNIL's institutional climate. The interpellation raised questions about the university's governance, management practices, protection of staff members, and the possible reputational impact of recent controversies. In its response, the Council of State emphasized UNIL's autonomy in personnel matters and declined to comment on the individual case. It also stated that possible improvements to the university's governance model were being examined by the supervising department, the Department of Education and Vocational Training. The response added that, even if governance reforms were introduced, they would not entirely prevent conflicts from arising in an institution of UNIL'
s size.
Setting
HEC Lausanne is located on the University of Lausanne campus, on the western side of the Lausanne metropolitan area, with direct metro rail access to the center of the city. It overlooks Lake Geneva, a major pool for European industry, banking, trade and research. HEC Lausanne collaborates with the Swiss Finance Institute and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL - Management of Technology program), which are also based on the same campus in Lausanne.
Programs
Undergraduate school
The three-year cycle has led to the issuance of a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in a chosen specialization. The first two years consist of a common core curriculum in which students learn to master modern management tools and develop their critical thinking. In the third year, students may choose between two specializations: BSc in Management or BSc in Economics.
HEC Lausanne's Bachelor's program in Economics emphasizes a quantitative approach, focusing on mathematical and statistical tools for economic analysis. The curriculum includes core courses like Econometrics and Statistical Methods for Economics. The program encourages an interdisciplinary perspective and offers opportunities for research initiatives. Graduates are prepared for careers in economic analysis, financial modeling, and data analytics across different sectors. Rankings from institutions such as the Financial Times and Eduniversal to HEC Lausanne's recognition in the academic landscape.
Graduate school
HEC Lausanne Masters of Science (MSc) include two to three semesters and a thesis that can be associated with a three- to six- month internship. All Masters can lead to a PhD program. HEC Lausanne offers the following Masters of Science (MSc) degrees: MSc in Accounting Control and Finance, MSc in Actuarial Science, MSc in Information Systems, MSc in Economics, MSc in Finance, MSc in Management and Master in Law and Economics.
Executive MBA
Since 1979, HEC Lausanne offers an MBA programme designed for managers and professionals who want to evolve or acquire new competences and responsibilities in their career.
The part-time Executive MBA programme lasts 16 months and participants can choose between two focus areas: Management & Corporate Finance and Healthcare Management.
Executive Education - Continuing Education
HEC Lausanne also offers various programs of Executive Education:
Executive Masters (MAS):
European Sport Governance (MESGO) - in collaboration with 5 academic institutions and universities and 6 leading sports institutions,
International Taxation - in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, Criminal Sciences & Public Administration,
Healthcare Management;
Certificates (CAS) / Diplomas (DAS):
Strategic Marketing and Communication (CAS/DAS),
Finance and Accounting (CAS),
Strategic Risk in Banking (CAS),
Sport Management (CAS),
Healthcare Management (CAS);
Short Programs - Short and open programs, which last from 1 to 8 days in the following fields:
Marketing and Communication,
Finance and Accounting,
Strategic and Financial Risk,
Strategic leadership;
Customized Programs - Executive Education platform offers to businesses, organisations, associations and other groups to develop tailor-made training programs specifically designed according to their needs and requirements.
PhD programmes
HEC Lausanne offers the following doctoral programs (PhD): PhD in Actuarial Science, PhD in Information Systems, PhD in Economics, PhD in Finance, PhD in Management, PhD in History of Economic Thought.
Accreditation and rankings
The Faculty received the AMBA and EQUIS accreditations for the high quality of its programs, research-, and teaching-activities. Through the University of Lausanne, it is also an accredited Swiss university.
Deans
2021- : Marianne Schmid Mast
2015-2021 : Jean-Philippe Bonardi
2012-2015 : Thomas von Ungern-Sternberg
2009-2012 : Daniel Oyon
2006-2009 : Suzanne de Treville
2004-2006 : François Grize
2000-2004 : Alexander Bergmann
1990-2000 : Olivier Blanc
1986-1990 : Francis Léonard
1977-1986 : Charles Iffland
1961-1977 : Robert Grosjean
1936-1961 : Jules Chuard
1928-1936 : Adolphe Blaser
1925-1928 : Georges Paillard
1911-1925 : Léon Morf
Notable people
Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA
Etienne Jornod, Chairman of Galenica and Chairman of NZZ
Louis C. Camilleri, CEO of Ferrari and Chairman of Philip Morris International
Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of LVMH watch division & CEO of Hublot
Jacques de Watteville, Chairman of BCV
André Borschberg, Professional Pilot, Co-Founder and CEO of Solar Impulse
Claude Béglé, CEO & Executive Chairman of Symbioswiss
Vincent Hort, General Secretary of Assura
Goetschin Blaise, CEO of BCGE (Banque Cantonale de Genève)
Nicolas Campiche, CEO of Pictet Alternative Investments
Daniel Wanner, CFO of Pictet & Cie
Thierry Kenel, CFO of Swatch Group
Alexandre Zeller, CEO of HSBC Privat Bank Suisse SA and former CEO of BCV (Banque Cantonale Vaudoise)
Hubert Keller, Managing Partner at Lombard Odier
Emmanuel Amoos politician
Yvan Cardenas, CFO of Swissquote Group Holding SA