History

Source: https://www.unil.ch/hec/en/home/menuinst/faculte/presentation/histoire.html Parent: https://www.unil.ch/hec/en/home.html

More than 100 years of history

Founded in 1911, with roots going back to 1870, our institution has continually evolved in step with societal changes. Over the years, some of the most renowned professors have come and gone, while teaching has gradually transformed to include flagship programs such as the MBA. We have also broadened our research horizons by develoing new centers, laboratories, and institutes.

Distinguished by the most prestigious accreditations, we are now among the most recognized schools in economics and management in Switzerland and around the world. But even more important is the forward-looking vision we strive to cultivate, one that serves sustainable prosperity and a more responsible world.

Key dates

1870: The teaching of economic sciences begins at the Academy of Lausanne (future University of Lausanne), led by Léon Walras, a pioneer and founding figure of the first general equilibrium theories.

1893: Vilfredo Pareto succeeds Léon Walras in the chair of political economy, then attached to the Faculty of Law.

1911: Birth of l’École des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) with an initial cohort of 12 students.

1977: HEC Lausanne moves from downtown Lausanne to the Dorigny campus.

1978: HEC is officially recognized as a Faculty.

1979: Launch of the MBA (Master in Business Administration) program.

2006: HEC Lausanne receives its first EQUIS accreditation.

2023: With multiple international accreditations, our Faculty now has nearly 3,300 students and over 250 researchers.