ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Switzerland
Applications are now open for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 2027/2028, offering outstanding students an opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree at one of Switzerland’s leading universities.
The prestigious scholarship supports academically excellent students through financial assistance, mentorship and access to a professional network provided by the ETH Foundation.
The ESOP scholarship covers full study and living expenses throughout the regular duration of the Master’s programme. Successful applicants also receive a tuition fee waiver.
The application window runs from 1 November to 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Central European Time (CET). The scholarship is intended for students beginning their Master’s programmes in the Autumn Semester 2027 (HS27).
About ETH Zurich
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) is an internationally recognised university specialising in science, technology, engineering and related disciplines.
Through its Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme, ETH Zurich seeks to attract highly talented students with outstanding academic records who wish to pursue advanced studies and contribute to research and innovation.
The programme offers more than financial support. Scholars benefit from mentorship and a network connected to the ETH Foundation, helping them develop academically and professionally during their studies.
About the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
The ESOP is designed for excellent students applying for eligible Master’s degree programmes at ETH Zurich.
The scholarship provides funding for the full regular duration of the Master’s programme, which is generally three or four semesters.
Successful scholars receive:
- A scholarship covering living and study expenses.
- A tuition fee waiver.
- Mentorship support.
- Access to the ETH Foundation’s network.
For students starting in Autumn Semester 2027, the scholarship provides CHF 13,500 per semester, together with a tuition fee waiver.
Approximately 60 ESOP scholarships are expected to be awarded for the 2027/2028 academic year, subject to the availability of funding.
Eligibility Requirements
The scholarship is highly competitive and intended for students with excellent academic performance.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Outstanding Academic Performance
Candidates must have achieved very good results in their Bachelor’s degree programme.
ETH Zurich uses the top 10% of the graduating class (grade A) as the academic performance benchmark. Applicants are expected to assess their academic standing against this requirement themselves.
2. Master’s Programme Application
Applicants must apply for an eligible Master’s degree programme at ETH Zurich.
The ESOP application must be submitted during the first application window, which runs from 1 to 30 November 2026.
3. Existing ETH Zurich Students and Master’s Graduates
Students already enrolled in a Master’s degree programme at ETH Zurich are not eligible.
Applicants who already hold a Master’s degree are also excluded from the programme.
4. Availability for Interviews
Candidates should ensure that they can be reached using the telephone number provided in their CV.
The selection process may include a telephone or video-conference interview in February. Applicants who will not be available during this period should inform their study programme coordinator.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the documents required for admission to their chosen Master’s programme, together with additional ESOP documents.
These include:
1. Academic Application Documents
Candidates must provide the documents required through ETH Zurich’s online Master’s application system.
2. Master’s Thesis Pre-Proposal
Applicants must upload an independently developed pre-proposal for their Master’s thesis.
The proposal must follow established scientific citation practices and demonstrate the applicant’s ability to develop a research idea.
Plagiarism, negligent or intentional misinformation may result in exclusion from the admission process or withdrawal of admission and scholarship funding if discovered later.
3. Academic References
If the chosen Master’s programme does not require reference letters, ESOP applicants must nominate two academic referees, who should be professors.
The nominated referees will receive an email from the application system requesting them to upload their reference letters.
Applicants should consult ETH Zurich’s official reference letter guidelines for further instructions.
Scholarship Amount and Duration
The ESOP provides financial support covering living and study expenses, together with a tuition fee waiver.
For students starting in Autumn Semester 2027, the scholarship amount is:
<text weight=”semibold” color=”success” size=”xl”>CHF 13,500 per semester</text>
The scholarship is awarded for the regular duration of the Master’s programme, generally three or four semesters.
The tuition fee waiver also applies throughout the regular programme duration.
Only ETH Bachelor’s students may begin the ESOP scholarship with a leave of absence.
Selection Process
Applications are evaluated by the Admissions Committees of the respective Master’s programmes.
The final decision on awarding scholarships rests with the Rector of ETH Zurich.
For the 2027/2028 academic year, approximately 60 scholarships are expected to be awarded. However, the final number depends on available funding.
Applicants will receive the selection decision by the end of March 2027.
The selection process may include a telephone or video-conference interview in February, so applicants should remain reachable using the contact details provided in their applications.
How to Apply for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2027
Applications for ESOP are submitted through ETH Zurich’s online Master’s application platform, known as eApply.
The scholarship application is submitted as part of the online Master’s admission process. This requirement also applies to ETH Bachelor’s students applying for a consecutive Master’s programme.
Applicants should:
- Identify an eligible ETH Zurich Master’s programme.
- Review the Master’s admission requirements.
- Prepare the required academic application documents.
- Develop the Master’s thesis pre-proposal.
- Arrange two academic referees if the chosen programme does not require references.
- Submit the Master’s and ESOP application through eApply within the November application window.
Application deadline: 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM CET.
Applications submitted outside the first application window will not be considered for ESOP.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Final Thoughts
The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme is an excellent opportunity for academically outstanding students seeking fully funded Master’s studies in Switzerland.
With financial support of CHF 13,500 per semester, a tuition fee waiver, mentorship and access to the ETH Foundation’s network, the programme offers more than just funding.
Students who meet the academic requirements should begin preparing their applications and research proposals early.
Remember: Applications close on 30 November 2026.
