Apply for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2026/2027

The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2026/2027 is a fully funded master’s scholarship offered by ETH Zurich in Switzerland. It supports outstanding students who want to pursue a master’s degree at one of Europe’s leading science and technology universities.

This scholarship is designed for high-performing students—both international and Swiss—who achieved excellent results in their bachelor’s degree. It aims to remove financial barriers and allow talented graduates to focus fully on their studies and research.

In this guide, you will learn what the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship covers, who is eligible, the required documents, how the application process works, and the official timeline.

About the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship

The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship is offered as part of two funding schemes for master’s students:

Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
ETH-D Scholarship

Both programs are merit-based and highly competitive. They are awarded to students with exceptional academic records who are applying for a consecutive master’s program at ETH Zurich.

The ESOP is the fully funded option and covers both living costs and tuition fees. The ETH-D Scholarship provides partial financial support combined with departmental assistance.

The scholarship duration corresponds to the standard length of the master’s program — typically three or four semesters, depending on the course.

Also Apply: Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships 2026-2027 (Fully Funded)

Benefits of the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship

Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)

CHF 12,000 per semester to cover living and study expenses
Full tuition fee waiver
Funding for the regular duration of the master’s program (3–4 semesters)

ETH-D Scholarship

Partial scholarship (financial contribution toward living costs)
Additional financial support from the respective department
Tuition fee remains payable

Eligibility Requirements for ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship

To qualify for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship, applicants must:

Be applying for a consecutive master’s program at ETH Zurich
Hold a recognised bachelor’s degree
Rank within the top 10% of their bachelor’s program (equivalent to Grade A performance)
Meet the English language requirements of their chosen master’s program
Be reachable by phone, as shortlisted candidates may be invited for a phone or video interview (usually around February)
The scholarship is open to students from all countries.

Documents Required

In addition to the standard master’s admission documents, ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship applicants must provide:

Completed online master’s application form
Academic transcripts and degree certificates
CV (including a valid phone number)
Motivation letter (if required by the program)
Pre-proposal for the master’s thesis (mandatory for ESOP/ETH-D applicants)
Two academic referees (if the study program does not formally require reference letters)

The pre-proposal must be written independently and follow proper academic citation standards. Any plagiarism or misinformation can lead to disqualification.

How to Apply for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (Step by Step)

Applications are submitted through ETH Zurich’s official online application portal (eApply) during the master’s admission process.

Follow these steps carefully:

Choose your eligible master’s program on the ETH Zurich website.
Submit your master’s application through the official eApply portal.
Indicate that you are applying for the ESOP/ETH-D scholarship within the application.
Upload all required documents, including the mandatory master’s thesis pre-proposal.
If applying for more than one master’s program, submit a separate application for each.
Ensure your referees are correctly listed (if required).

Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an interview during the selection process.

Also Apply: Bayer Foundation Scientific Fellowships 2026 (Up to €10,000 for Master’s, PhD & Medical Students)

Application Deadline for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2026/2027

For the 2026/2027 academic year:

Applications typically open in November 2026
The confirmed application deadline is November 30, 2026

Applicants should always verify timelines on the official ETH Zurich website before applying, as dates may vary by year.