ETH Zurich Scholarship 2026 | Study in Switzerland

Zurich Scholarship (ESOP)

The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) is ETH Zurich’s flagship scholarship for exceptional students from around the world. It supports Master’s degree candidates who demonstrate academic excellence and strong leadership potential.

This program doesn’t just cover your tuition — it helps you live comfortably in one of Europe’s most advanced education systems.

🔗 Official Website: ETH Zurich – Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)

💰 Scholarship Coverage

Selected students receive:

• 💸 Full tuition fee waiver for the entire Master’s program.

• 🏠 Living & study expenses allowance: Around CHF 12,000 per semester (≈ €12,500 or $13,000).

• 🎯 Mentorship and networking opportunities with ETH professors and industry experts.

• 🤝 Access to the ESOP community and exclusive academic events.

This support package allows students to focus entirely on their studies and research, without financial stress.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2026:

1. 🌍 Nationality: Open to all international students (including non-EU countries like Pakistan, India, etc.).

2. 🎓 Degree: You must hold (or be completing) a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

3. 📚 Academic performance: Exceptional results — typically top 10 % of your class.

4. 🧠 Admission: You must apply for a Master’s degree program at ETH Zurich starting in Autumn 2026.

5. 🚫 Current students: You cannot already be enrolled in a Master’s at ETH Zurich.

Each department may have specific additional requirements (GPA, portfolio, references, etc.).

📅 Important Dates (For 2026–27 Intake)

• Applications Open: 1 November 2025

• Deadline: 30 November 2025 (11:59 PM CET)

• Result Announcement: March 2026

• Semester Starts: Mid-September 2026

⏰ Pro tip: Don’t wait for the last date — ETH is strict about deadlines and incomplete files are not considered.

🧭 How to Apply for ETH Zurich Scholarship 2026

Applying for ESOP is part of the Master’s admission process at ETH Zurich. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

Step 1: Choose Your Master’s Program

Visit ETH’s official programs page and pick the one that best fits your background:
🔗 ETH Zurich Master’s Degree Programs

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Documents

You’ll need:

• CV / Resume

• Academic transcripts

• Bachelor’s degree certificate (or expected completion proof)

• Motivation letter explaining your goals and why ETH Zurich

• Pre-proposal for your Master’s thesis (a short research idea — required for ESOP)

• Two reference letters from professors or academic supervisors

Step 3: Submit Application Online

Apply via ETH Zurich’s online admission portal (eApply):
🔗 ETH Zurich Online Application Portal (eApply)

When filling out your Master’s application, tick the box to apply for the “Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)”.

Step 4: Wait for the Result

After submission, your application will be reviewed by both the academic department and the scholarship committee.
Results are announced around March 2026 via email.

🎯 Why Choose ETH Zurich?

• 🧬 Ranked among the Top 10 universities in the world (QS 2025).

• 🧠 Strong focus on innovation, science, and engineering.

• 🌍 International student community with over 120 nationalities.

• 💼 Close industry ties with companies like Google, IBM, and UBS.

• 🏔️ Located in Zurich — one of the safest, cleanest, and most advanced cities in Europe.

⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind

• ESOP is extremely competitive — prepare a strong, detailed motivation letter.

• Make sure your Master’s program choice aligns with your Bachelor’s background.

• Even with full funding, Zurich is expensive, so budget for initial arrival costs.

• Keep official transcripts and recommendation letters ready well before the deadline.

💡 Tips for Pakistani & Asian Students

• Get your IELTS/TOEFL scores early (minimum C1 level English is preferred).

• Write your motivation letter honestly — focus on your passion for research, innovation, and how you’ll use the degree to contribute back home.

• Convert your grades according to the Swiss grading scale if required.

• Mention any academic awards, publications, or volunteer work in your CV.

• Apply early — ETH’s portal may get busy close to the deadline.