Founded in 1969, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne) is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Lausanne (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Vaud. This institution also has branch campuses in the following locations: Sion, Neuchâtel, Geneva, Fribourg, Ras al-Khaimah. Officially recognized by the Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, Schweiz (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation of Switzerland), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is a large coeducational Swiss higher education institution. École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 53 years old Swiss higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. EPFL also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.