Why it fits you
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Who can apply
Three different things not to mix up: the country where you study, your nationality and the country where you live when you apply.
- Country of study
- Switzerland · Zurich
- Degree already heldRequired
- Bachelor’s
- Target level
- Master’s
- Fields of study
- All fields
- Minimum grade
- Be in the top 10% of your bachelor's programme (grade A); this is based on your own assessment.
- Other conditions
- Not be already enrolled in a master's programme at ETH Zurich, and not already hold a master's degree.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: If you are already enrolled in a Master's degree programme at ETH Zurich, or hold a Master degree, you are not eligible for ESOP.
- Submit, by the deadline at the latest, a language certificate recognised by ETH Zurich (English and/or German depending on the chosen master's programme); otherwise the application is rejected.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: A language certificate that is recognised by ETH Zurich (see list below) must be submitted by the application deadline at the latest. Applications with an invalid, insufficient, or missing language certificate will not be evaluated by the department and will be rejected on formal grounds.
- Stay reachable at the phone number given in your CV: the selection may include a phone or video interview in February.Organisation’s wording: Please make sure to be reachable under the telephone number specified in your CV as the selection process might include a phone/VC interview in February.
The real funding
What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.
- Paid
- Tuition
- When it is paid
- CHF 13,500 per semester from the 2027 autumn semester onwards (CHF 12,000 before), for the regular duration of the master's programme (three or four semesters). Paid in three or four instalments, at the beginning of each semester, into your bank or post office account in Switzerland, once your semester enrolment is completed.
- Application fee
- CHF 150
Dates
- Applications open
- 1 November 2026 at 00:00 CET (Europe/Zurich)
- Applications close
- 30 November 2026 at 11:59 CET (Europe/Zurich)
- Results announced
- End of March
- Studies start
- Monday, 20 September 2027 (semester start)
Application steps
In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.
Step 1: Apply online for the chosen master's programme on eApply, during the November window, also applying for ESOP. In addition to the master's documents, upload a pre-proposal for your master's thesis written by yourself, then pay the application fee.
- With whom
- ETH Zurich, eApply application platform
- By when
- 30 November 2026 at 11:59 CET (Europe/Zurich) — 30 November 2026 at 11:59 AM (Central European Time)
- Documents to provide
- Pre-proposal for your master's thesis (written by yourself, with proper scientific citation)
- Official transcripts / academic records from every university attended
- A valid language certificate
- Depending on the programme: CV, portfolio, letter of motivation, letter of recommendation, possibly the GRE test
- Official link
- Open the official page (opens in a new tab)
Step 2: If your master's programme does not ask for references: name two professors; after an e-mail from the system, each one uploads a reference letter.
- With whom
- Two professors (reference persons)
Where to apply
ETH Zurich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich) (opens in a new tab) · ETH Zurich
Official title (in English): Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
Apply on the official website (opens in a new tab)
Official website of ETH Zurich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich): lehrbetrieb.ethz.ch
See the official page of the opportunity(opens in a new tab)Prepare your departure
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