If you have been searching for funding at ETH Zurich Scholarship, you are in the right place. This guide explains all of it. The ETH Zurich Scholarship (Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme) is one of the most generous routes into Switzerland. It wipes out tuition entirely and pays you a living stipend of CHF 12,000 per semester (about CHF 24,000 a year) for the full duration of your degree.
It’s open to top-performing students typically those in the top 10% of their Bachelor’s cohort from any country, applying to an English-taught Master’s at ETH Zurich for the first time. The application window is tight, running from 1 to 30 November each year for the following autumn intake, and the catch is that it’s fiercely competitive, with only a few dozen awards globally, so you’ll need outstanding grades, a sharp thesis pre-proposal, and a polished, early application to stand out.
ETH Zurich Scholarship
1. Benefits of the ETH Zurich Scholarship
2. Eligibility criteria for ETH Zurich Scholarship
3. Documents Required for the ETH Zurich Scholarship
4. How to Apply for the ETH Zurich Scholarship
5. Deadlines for the ETH Zurich Scholarship
6. FAQs about the ETH Zurich Scholarship
1. Benefits of the ETH Zurich Scholarship
The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme (ESOP) offers selected students the following benefits:
- A scholarship covering living and educational expenses of CHF 12,000 per semester
- A full waiver of tuition fees
2. Eligibility criteria for ETH Zurich Scholarship
To qualify for the ETH Zurich Excellence Master’s Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Required language: English
Eligible applicants: Students from all countries worldwide
- Applicants must have achieved outstanding results in their bachelor’s degree. Generally, candidates should rank among the top 10% of their bachelor’s program (equivalent to grade A)
- Applicants should remain available at the phone number provided in their CV, as the selection procedure may include a telephone or video conference interview in February
3. Documents Required for ETH Zurich Scholarship
3.1. Academic documents
3.2. Valid passport, Birth certificate & NIC
3.3. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
3.4. Recommendation letters / Letters of Reference
3.5. CV
3.6. Research Plan / Proposal (Optional)
3.1. Academic documents
This includes all your certificates & academic record like
A: Bachelor’s transcript & certificate
B: Master’s transcript & certificate (if the student is applying for 2nd Master or fellowship)
C: Metric & FSC transcripts (10-12th Grade) (A level) (DMCs) and certificates (Supporting academic documents)
D: Course summary (to explain your courses & how your previous courses & studies resemble your future studies to which you are applying)
NOTE:
All of the above documents should be attested by respective boards.
Also, attest them from issuing authority of home countries. The respective university must attest university documents.
In the case of Pakistan, The above-mentioned documents must be attested by IBCC, HEC, and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
IBCC authority is only responsible for the attestation of metric and inter documents.
Dear offices are present in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and also in other cities of Pakistan.
HEC office attests to bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD documents.
3.2. Valid passport, Birth certificate & NIC
The passport of the applicant must contain at least one full blank page on both sides.
The passport must be valid at the time of visa application and on arrival to Switzerland
A birth certificate or national ID card is also important to attach.
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3.3. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
Meeting the English language requirements set by the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is an important step toward achieving your bigger goal.
Generally speaking, Students with IELTS 6.5 overall or TOEFL above 100, are considered good.
Nevertheless, these requirements may vary from course to course and degree to degree.
3.4. Recommendation letters / Letters of Reference
The applicants must provide up to 2 letters of recommendation. from the previous university, (Depending upon courses).
It is advised to provide a letter of recommendation from the HOD (Head of the department or Relevant course head) who should be a PhD.
The referees need to write their contact details (Email, phone number) at the end of the letter.
The letter must include an official letterhead, signature, and official stamp and must be of the current date.
Ask your Referees to write about your academic achievements & discuss their confidence in you that you are fully compatible with the project or course you wish to pursue.
The referees must also mention how long they know the applicant & when was the last time they came in contact with the applicant.
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3.5. CV
Europass CV can be easily made here.
The Cv must contain all the latest & relevant information about your occupation & interests.
A perfect CV must be hand signed.
3.6. Research Plan / Proposal (Optional)
Research publications/ Achievements (conference papers, article review, abstract of thesis)
The research proposal is mostly required for postdocs or PhD students. (Depend upon the courses)
It asks you to write about the research project you agree upon completing with the assigned academic advisor.
Your research proposal should be a brief description of your research goals and objectives, the methods with which you wish to process that research, the outcomes you desire, the timeline and budget you have estimated, and the area of study you wish upon exploring.
It shall be a brief document yet explain the entire vision to the reader so that those analyzing your application could know of your objectives and grant you the scholarship if they match the program’s criteria and eligibility.
Taking help from an external party is strictly prohibited and violation in this regard could lead to your disqualification no matter how incredible your proposal is.
4. How to Apply for ETH Zurich Scholarship
Applicants should follow these steps to apply:
Submit the ESOP or ETH-D scholarship application through the eApply online master’s application system.
If applying for more than one master’s program, a separate application must be submitted for each individual degree program.
Along with the standard master’s admission documents, applicants must upload a pre-proposal for their master’s thesis.
The thesis pre-proposal must be prepared according to academic standards and should follow proper scientific citation methods.
Any form of plagiarism or inaccurate information, whether intentional or accidental, may result in removal from the admission process. If discovered after admission, it may lead to cancellation of admission and withdrawal of the scholarship.
If your chosen study program does not require recommendation letters, you must provide the names of two referees for your ESOP application.
5. Deadlines for ETH Zurich Scholarship
The deadline depends on the applicant’s bachelor’s degree location:
International Bachelor’s Degree: Applications open on 1 November 2026, and close on 30 November 2026.
Swiss Bachelor’s Degree: Applications are accepted from 1 April to 30 April 2026.
The official link for deadline.
6. FAQs about the ETH Zurich Scholarship
Q. When Can I Apply for the ETH Zurich Scholarship?
Applications are accepted for the academic year beginning in the following autumn semester during the international application period from 1 November to 30 November at 11:59 AM. Applications must be submitted through the eApply system.
Applications for the spring semester are only available for current ETH Zurich students.
Q. How Long Does the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) Last?
The ESOP scholarship continues for the official duration of the selected master’s program.
Q. When Is the Scholarship Grant Paid?
The financial grant is paid in three or four installments. Each installment is provided at the beginning of the semester after the student completes semester enrollment.
Q. How Is the Grant Paid?
The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the recipient’s personal Swiss bank account or post office account.
Q. Can the ESOP Scholarship Be Transferred to Another Master’s Program?
No. The ESOP scholarship cannot be moved or transferred to a different study program from the one originally selected.
