Consult the UNIL archives
The University of Lausanne's archives were expanded in 1991 with the creation of a part-time archivist post to handle the Rectorate's old administrative documents.
In 1995 an agreement was reached with the Archives cantonales vaudoises (ACV). The latter will keep the documents predating in 1945. The others will remain at UNIL. Over time, the situation has become increasingly tense:
- the whole of UNIL: management, departments, faculties, institutes.
- all types of archives: administrative, scientific, private in connection with the University.
- all information media: text, sound, images, video, objects, digital and paper files.
In 2012, the University archives became the first institution in the canton of Vaud to receive a archival autonomy agreement, thanks in particular to the Archiving law came into force in 2012.
In 2013, the archives joined the new UNIRIS service.
The UNIL archives offer the widest possible access to the University's holdings, which they conserve within the strict framework of the legislation in force.
Example of a preservation project
Consult the archives
Our archives contain :
- Post-1945 documents (UNIL archives dating from before 1945 can be found in the Vaud Cantonal Archives)
- Documents of all kinds: texts, photos, images, films, objects, posters, brochures, etc.
- A specialised library on UNIL and its history: the UNIRIS historical library contains around 500 monographs relating to UNIL and its environment. The magazines and journals produced by UNIL as a whole (Rectorate, departments and faculties) are also kept by our service.
The following archives and documents are held by our partners:
- funds closed before 1945 (these are held by the Vaud Cantonal Archives)
- documents that are less than 10 years old (in the producing units)
- theses and dissertations (at the Cantonal University Library)
Feel free to consult the full list of the funds and collections we hold.
The UNIL Collections Portal also provides access to a selection of digitised documents, often serial (minutes, student lists, course programmes, etc.), relating to the history and life of Lausanne's university since the 16th century.
Who is affected?
The general public
They can access the archives at any time via the Portal of the UNIL digital collections, which puts a large selection of freely consultable historical documents just a click away.
Administrative staff
Every archive producer has access at all times to all archives, including confidential documents.
Researchers
Researchers make an appointment after submitting a detailed request, which indicates the purpose of the research. If access to confidential documents is required, researchers provide an official certificate of research and go to the Archives with their identity papers. They sign a scientific consultation form.
Carry out your research
On-site research
Our service is open to anyone who needs to carry out research on the University of Lausanne's holdings: members of the university community, researchers, historians and private individuals.
Documents may be consulted by appointment only. Contact us to reserve your place in the reading room. Our team will help you with your research.
Conditions for consultation
Readers must register to access documents. Registration is free, upon presentation of proof of identity (scan possible for remote requests).
For scientific research in recent archive collections (less than 30 years old), all consultation is subject to a written, reasoned request via our consultation request form. This will enable you to obtain authorisation to consult from the producer of the collection.