✨ Should I Apply for ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
Low (Highly competitive)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
CHF 12,000 per semester
⏱
Duration
Duration of the Master's program (3 or 4 semesters)
🗓
Deadline
December 15 (Annual)
🔬
Fields
All Master's degree programs offered by ETH Zurich (STEM, Architecture, Management, Social Sciences)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 60 awards per year
🌏
Study Country
Switzerland
🏛️
Provider
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
📊
Acceptance
Estimated < 3% of total Master's applicants
The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) supports students with a scholarship, mentorship and a network of the ETH Foundation. The scholarship covers the full study and living costs during the Master’s degree course.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to national and international students with outstanding academic records who are applying for a Master's degree at ETH Zurich.
🏛️ Host University
ETH Zurich
🤝 Sponsor
ETH Foundation and ETH Zurich
🔬 Fields of Study
All Master's degree programs offered by ETH Zurich (STEM, Architecture, Management, Social Sciences)
✨ Key Benefits
The ESOP consists of a scholarship covering living and study expenses (CHF 12,000 per semester) and a tuition fee waiver.
🎯 Target Students
International and Domestic Students
🏷 Tags
Master
Switzerland
STEM
Full Funding
Research
Merit
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes (Full tuition fee waiver)
Living Stipend
Yes (Stipend intended to cover living and study costs)
Total Award
CHF 12,000 per semester
✈️ Travel: Varies (Often included within the general stipend)
🏠 Accommodation: No (Paid by student using the provided stipend)
💊 Health Insurance: No (Must be covered by the student from the stipend)
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: CHF 150 (Standard Master's application fee)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (Full tuition fee waiver)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes (Stipend intended to cover living and study costs)
🏡 Accommodation
No (Paid by student using the provided stipend)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Varies (Often included within the general stipend)
💊 Health Insurance
No (Must be covered by the student from the stipend)
🎁 Other Benefits
Special coaching, mentorship, and networking opportunities through the ETH Foundation
📋 Renewal Conditions
Continuation depends on satisfactory academic performance and progress in the Master's program
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Excellent Bachelor's degree results (top 10% of the class/Grade A), valid contact number, and admission to an ETH Master's program
🎓 Academic Level
Master's Degree (MSc)
📊 Minimum GPA
Top 10% of undergraduate cohort
🗣️ English Requirement
Varies by program (usually IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100)
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory, but academic leadership and potential are considered
💰 Financial Need
No (Selection is purely based on merit)
🎯 Target Students
International and Domestic Students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Pre-proposal for Master's thesis)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two reference letters from professors)
Interview
Varies (Some departments may conduct interviews)
Application Fee
CHF 150 (Standard Master's application fee)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Two reference letters from professors) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Varies by program (usually IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100)
- Interview: Varies (Some departments may conduct interviews)
- Min GPA: Top 10% of undergraduate cohort
📋 Application Process
Focus heavily on the quality and originality of your Master's thesis pre-proposal. Ensure you clearly state your rank in your graduating class.
💡 Insider Tip: Choose referees who can specifically comment on your research potential and academic excellence.