ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP) 2027 in Switzerland: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

The Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme (ESOP) is ETH Zurich’s scholarship for outstanding master’s students. It gives a grant for living and study costs, a full tuition fee waiver and mentoring, for the regular length of the master’s programme. You can only request it in the first master’s application window, which runs from 1 to 30 November 2026 for studies starting in autumn 2027.

This guide explains what ESOP covers, who can apply, the extra documents it needs, how applications are evaluated and how to apply step by step. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.

ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP) 2027 at a glance

What is ETH Zurich?

ETH Zurich is a public university of science and technology in Switzerland, known for engineering, natural sciences, mathematics and computer science. Its master’s programmes are taught mostly in English. Tuition fees are low by international standards, but living costs in Zurich are high, which is why the ESOP grant matters.

What does ESOP cover?

• A grant for living and study costs, paid each semester. It is CHF 12,000 per semester and rises to CHF 13,500 per semester from autumn semester 2027.
• A full tuition fee waiver
• Mentoring and access to the ETH Foundation’s network

Who can apply?

• You have very good bachelor’s results, in the top 10% of your programme.
• You are applying for a consecutive master’s programme at ETH Zurich.
• You are not already enrolled in an ETH master’s programme, and you do not already hold a master’s degree.
• You apply in the first application window.

ETH bachelor’s students and students from other universities can both apply.

The extra ESOP documents

On top of the normal master’s application, ESOP asks for:

• A letter of motivation for ESOP, one to two pages.
• A pre-proposal for your master’s thesis, written by you and using proper scientific citations. ETH publishes guidelines for it.
• Two referees. If your master’s programme does not ask for references, you must name two professors for the ESOP application.

The pre-proposal is the document that sets strong applications apart. Start it weeks before the window opens.

How to write the pre-proposal

• Choose a topic within the master’s programme you are applying for.
• State a clear research question and why it matters.
• Explain the method you would use and what result you expect.
• Cite your sources correctly. ETH asks for proper scientific citations.
• Write it yourself. It must be your own work, and ETH publishes guidelines you should follow.

You are not committing to this exact thesis. The committee uses the pre-proposal to see how you think.

How applications are evaluated

The admissions committee of each master’s programme evaluates the ESOP applications for that programme. The process may include a phone or video interview in February 2027, so make sure the phone number in your CV is correct. You receive the ESOP decision together with your admission result.

Timeline

How to apply, step by step

1. Choose an ETH master’s programme and check its entry requirements.
2. Write your pre-proposal and ESOP motivation letter.
3. Ask two professors to act as referees.
4. Apply on ETH’s eApply portal between 1 and 30 November 2026 and select the ESOP option.
5. Upload the programme documents and the ESOP documents.
6. Stay reachable in February for a possible interview.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Show your rank in your bachelor’s programme with an official statement or transcript, since the top 10% rule is central.
• Use the motivation letter to explain why ETH and why this programme, in one to two pages.
• Ask two professors early, and tell them you are applying for ESOP.
• Prepare all documents in October, so you can submit in the first days of the window.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying in a later window, when ESOP is no longer available.
• A pre-proposal copied from other sources or without citations.
• Applying when you already hold a master’s degree.
• Forgetting to select the ESOP option in eApply.

How to prepare each document

Proof of your rank

The top 10% rule is central, so ask your university for an official statement of your rank or percentile if your transcript does not show it. Include your grading scale.

Motivation letter for ESOP

In one to two pages, explain why you want this master’s programme at ETH, what you have achieved so far and what you want to do afterwards. Give evidence for your claims, such as projects, prizes or research. Our motivation letter template gives a structure.

Pre-proposal for the master’s thesis

Follow ETH’s guidelines for length and format. Choose a question you could realistically study in the programme, explain your method and cite your sources. It must be your own work.

Referees

Name two professors who know your academic work. Tell them early that you are applying for ESOP, because ETH may contact them.

CV

Include a correct phone number and email address. ETH may call you for an interview in February. Our academic CV template shows a clean layout.

A preparation plan

1. September: choose your master’s programme and read its entry requirements and the ESOP rules.
2. Early October: ask your university for proof of your rank, and ask two professors to act as referees.
3. Mid-October: draft your pre-proposal and motivation letter.
4. Late October: revise both documents and prepare transcripts and language certificates.
5. 1 to 15 November: complete your application on eApply, select the ESOP option and upload everything.
6. By 30 November: make sure the application is submitted. Late applications cannot be considered for ESOP.

Living costs in Zurich

Zurich is one of the more expensive cities in Europe. Rent, health insurance and food are the main costs. The ESOP grant is paid each semester to help with these, and your tuition fees are waived. Before you accept, compare the grant with ETH’s own estimate of student living costs, which is published on its website, and plan how you will cover any gap.

After you apply

The admissions committee of your programme evaluates your application. If you are shortlisted, you may be called for a phone or video interview in February 2027. You receive the ESOP decision together with your admission result. If you win, you accept the offer, and students from outside the EU and EFTA then apply for a Swiss study visa, which can take several weeks.

Similar scholarships to consider

• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: funding for PhD study and research in Switzerland.
• Padua International Excellence Scholarship: 8,000 euros a year and a fee waiver for degrees taught in English in Italy.
• Erasmus Mundus Scholarship: fully funded joint master’s programmes across Europe.

Final checklist before you submit

• You are applying between 1 and 30 November 2026, in the first application window.
• You selected the ESOP option in eApply.
• You have proof that you are in the top 10% of your bachelor’s programme.
• Your pre-proposal follows ETH’s guidelines, cites its sources and is your own work.
• Your ESOP motivation letter is one to two pages long.
• Two professors have agreed to act as referees.
• Your CV has a working phone number and email address for a possible interview in February.
• You do not already hold a master’s degree and are not already enrolled in an ETH master’s programme.
• All documents required by your master’s programme are uploaded as well.

ESOP is decided together with admission, so a missing programme document can cost you both. Check the programme’s own document list one more time before you submit.

If you are not awarded ESOP

ESOP is given to a small number of students each year, so many strong applicants are admitted without it. If that happens, check ETH’s other scholarships and financial support for master’s students, and ask your programme about paid teaching or research assistant roles. Compare ETH’s own estimate of living costs with your savings before you accept the place, because Zurich is expensive.

Frequently asked questions

Is IELTS required for ETH Zurich?

Each master’s programme sets its own language certificates. Check your programme’s requirements.

Do I apply separately for ESOP?

No. You select ESOP inside your master’s application on eApply.

How much is the scholarship?

A grant each semester plus a tuition fee waiver. The grant is CHF 12,000 per semester, rising to CHF 13,500 per semester from autumn semester 2027. ETH plans to award about 60 scholarships for 2027/28, and decisions come by the end of March 2027.

Can PhD students apply?

No. ESOP is for master’s study.

When will I know the result?

You receive the ESOP decision together with your admission result.

Can I apply in the second application window?

No. ESOP can only be requested in the first window, from 1 to 30 November 2026.

Where to apply

Read the official ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship page. See our ETH Zurich ESOP scholarship page, and our Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships guide for PhD funding in Switzerland.