ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP) is a scholarship, mentorship and foundation-network package for outstanding Master’s students at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. The next application window opens on 1 November 2026 and closes on 30 November 2026 for a start in the autumn semester 2027.
The official ETH Zurich page states the deadline plainly: “The next application window is open Nov, 1 – Nov, 30 2026, 11.59h, MEZ for a start in the Master programme in HS27.” There is no separate scholarship form – ESOP is requested inside the normal online Master’s admission application (eApply).
ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP) 2027-28
Quick facts2026-27
| Scholarship from | ETH Zurich with the ETH Foundation (Switzerland) |
| Study level | Master’s degree programmes at ETH Zurich. MAS (Master of Advanced Studies) programmes are not supported. |
| Who can apply | Applicants to an ETH Zurich Master’s programme whose Bachelor’s result is in the top 10% of their programme (grade A, based on self-assessment). Students who already hold a Master’s degree or are already enrolled in an ETH Master’s programme are not eligible. |
| What is covered | A scholarship for living and study expenses of CHF 12,000 per semester, which becomes CHF 13,500 per semester from the autumn semester 2027, plus a full tuition fee waiver, a mentor and access to the ETH Foundation network. |
| Number of awards | About 60 ESOP scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year. |
| Last date to apply | 30 November 2026, 11.59h MEZ (window opens 1 November 2026) |
| Official website | ethz.ch – Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme |
What the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship covers
ESOP is one of the better funded Master’s scholarships in Europe because it combines a monthly living grant with a full fee waiver. The official ETH Zurich page lists the components as:
- A scholarship for living and study expenses of CHF 12,000 per semester, increased to CHF 13,500 per semester from the autumn semester 2027 (HS27) onwards.
- A full tuition fee waiver for the same period.
- A mentorship and a place in the network of the ETH Foundation, which connects ESOP scholars with companies and donors.
The scholarship and the fee waiver are awarded for the regular duration of the Master’s programme, which at ETH Zurich is three or four semesters. About 60 ESOP scholarships are assigned for the academic year 2027/28.
Who is eligible for ETH Zurich ESOP
ETH Zurich keeps the eligibility bar high and short. The official requirements are:
- A very good result in your Bachelor’s degree programme – ETH Zurich defines this as the top 10% of the programme, grade A, and says the assessment is based on your own self-assessment at the time of applying.
- You must apply within the first application window (1 to 30 November). ESOP is not available in the spring-semester window.
- You must not already be enrolled in a Master’s degree programme at ETH Zurich, and you must not already hold a Master’s degree.
ETH Zurich also asks applicants to be reachable on the telephone number given in their CV during February, because the selection process can include a phone or video interview. If you will not be available, inform the study programme coordinator.
Which application window applies to you?
ETH Zurich runs ESOP only in the autumn window for international applicants. The official FAQ explains how it works: “We accept applications for the academic year due to begin in the following year (autumn semester) during the international application window (Nov 1 to Nov 30, 11.59h am). Applications for the spring semester are reserved for ETH Zurich students only.”
In practice this means an Indian or other international applicant has exactly one chance every year: submit the Master’s admission application through eApply between 1 and 30 November 2026 and tick the ESOP option in the same application. ETH Bachelor students applying for a consecutive Master’s programme use the same window.
Documents required for the ESOP application
ESOP does not have its own form. You submit the standard ETH Zurich Master’s admission file through eApply and add two things for the scholarship:
- A pre-proposal for your Master’s thesis, uploaded with the admission documents and written by you, following the official guidelines PDF that ETH Zurich publishes on the ESOP page.
- If your study programme does not ask for references, you must name two reference persons (professors) for the ESOP application. The system emails them and they upload a reference letter.
Alongside these you upload the usual admission documents for your Master’s programme, such as your degree certificates and transcripts, a CV and your identification. Check the admission requirements of the specific programme you are applying to, because the required documents differ between departments.
How to apply for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship
- Choose the Master’s programme you want to study at ETH Zurich and check its admission requirements on the ETH Zurich website.
- Prepare the Master’s thesis pre-proposal using the official ESOP guidelines PDF, and note that plagiarism or false information leads to exclusion.
- Open the eApply online Master application between 1 and 30 November 2026 and complete the admission application.
- Indicate your interest in the Excellence Scholarship / Opportunity Programme in the same application, and list two professors as reference persons if your programme does not ask for references.
- Upload the pre-proposal and all admission documents, and submit before 11.59h MEZ on 30 November 2026.
- Be available for a possible phone or video interview in February 2027.
ETH Zurich ESOP important dates 2027-28
| 1 November 2026 | Application window opens for the autumn semester 2027 (HS27) |
| 30 November 2026, 11.59h MEZ | Last date to apply – the only window open to international applicants |
| February 2027 | Possible phone or video interview for shortlisted applicants |
| End of March 2027 | Decisions communicated to applicants |
| Autumn semester 2027 | Studies begin at ETH Zurich |
The applications are evaluated by the Admissions Committees of the individual Master’s programmes, while the final decision rests with the Rector of ETH Zurich. The exact number of scholarships each year depends on available funds.
ESOP is the Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme of ETH Zurich. It supports outstanding Master’s students with a scholarship for living and study expenses, a tuition fee waiver, a mentor and access to the network of the ETH Foundation.
The application window for a start in the autumn semester 2027 opens on 1 November 2026 and closes on 30 November 2026 at 11.59h MEZ. There is no other window for international applicants.
ETH Zurich states that the scholarship covers living and study expenses of CHF 12,000 per semester, increased to CHF 13,500 per semester from the autumn semester 2027 onwards, plus a full tuition fee waiver for the regular duration of the Master’s programme.
Yes. ESOP is open to international applicants from all countries, and Indian students apply through the same eApply Master’s application between 1 and 30 November 2026.
You do not need a supervisor, but you must upload a pre-proposal for your Master’s thesis. If your programme does not ask for references, you have to name two professors who then upload a reference letter for the scholarship.
ETH Zurich says that approximately 60 ESOP scholarships will be assigned for the 2027/28 academic year, and that the exact number depends on the availability of funds.
Decisions are communicated at the end of March. A phone or video interview may take place in February, so keep the telephone number in your CV active.
Official links
- ETH Zurich – Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
- ESOP FAQ – official ETH Zurich page
- ETH Zurich Master’s admission and eApply
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