If you have always dreamed of studying at one of the world’s greatest universities — fully funded — then this is the article you need to read right now.
ETH Zurich, Switzerland’s legendary federal institute of technology and consistently ranked among the top 5 universities in the world, is now accepting applications for its Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) for the 2027 academic year intake. This is not just financial aid. This is a complete transformation package — covering tuition, living costs, mentorship, and access to an elite global network — designed exclusively for the most outstanding Master’s students on the planet.
With only approximately 60 scholarships awarded each year worldwide, competition is intense. But if you are in the top 10% of your Bachelor’s class and have the academic drive to match, this could be the opportunity that changes everything.
🎓 Scholarship Overview
The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) is ETH Zurich’s flagship merit-based scholarship for Master’s students. It is fully funded by generous donations channelled through the ETH Zurich Foundation, a dedicated body that has been nurturing world-class talent for decades.
The programme encourages outstanding young people from Switzerland and around the world to complete their Master’s degree at ETH Zurich, allowing them to develop to their full potential and achieve excellence — from which society as a whole benefits.
The ESOP supports students with a scholarship, mentorship, and a network of the ETH Foundation, with the scholarship covering the full study and living costs during the Master’s degree course.
There is also a complementary award — the ETH-D Scholarship — which offers partial financial support (CHF 7,500/semester + tuition waiver) for highly qualified students who may not receive the ESOP. Both are among the most prestigious Master’s scholarships available in all of Europe.
Key facts at a glance:
- Host University: ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
- Host Country: Switzerland 🇨🇭
- City: Zurich — one of the world’s top cities for quality of life and innovation
- Degree Level: Master’s (all programmes except MAS)
- Open To: All nationalities worldwide
- Number of Awards: Approximately 60 per year
- Scholarship Type: Fully funded (merit-based)
- Next Application Window: November 1–30, 2026 (for HS27 start)
🎓 Benefits / Funding
The ESOP is one of the most generous Master’s scholarship packages available anywhere in Europe. Here is exactly what you receive:
Financial Benefits:
- A scholarship covering living and study expenses of CHF 12,000 per semester (approximately CHF 24,000 per year), as well as a full tuition fee waiver
- ESOP is awarded for the regular duration of the Master’s programme — three or four semesters — and the tuition fee waiver applies for the same period
- CHF 12,000 per semester is designed to cover accommodation, food, transport, books, and personal expenses in Zurich
Academic & Professional Benefits:
- Exclusive mentorship from ETH Zurich faculty and industry experts
- Access to the ETH Foundation’s professional network, connecting scholars with global leaders, researchers, and potential employers
- Recognition as an ESOP Scholar — a mark of distinction that strengthens PhD applications and career prospects worldwide
The ETH-D Scholarship (alternative/complementary):
- Partial stipend of CHF 7,500 per semester for living and study expenses
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Additional departmental support: either a CHF 3,000/semester scholarship or a paid assistantship (approximately CHF 500–600/month)
- Awarded for the full duration of the Master’s programme
Around three-quarters of the foreign scholarship students remain in Switzerland after completing their degree. They work and pay taxes and insurance — meaning the investment in each scholar flows back into society after an average of just three years.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
ESOP is highly competitive and carries strict eligibility requirements. Before applying, make sure you meet all of the following:
Academic Requirements:
- Must rank among the top 10% of your Bachelor’s degree programme (equivalent to a Grade A — this is based on self-assessment in the application)
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of your Bachelor’s studies at the time of application
Enrollment Status:
- If you are already enrolled in a Master’s degree programme at ETH Zurich, or already hold a Master’s degree, you are not eligible for ESOP
- Only ETH Bachelor’s students may begin ESOP with a formal leave of absence
Application Timing:
- The application for the ESOP scholarship is only possible during the first application window (November 1–30) and is highly competitive
- Students who miss the November window cannot apply for ESOP in the second application round
Availability:
- Must be reachable at the telephone number specified in your CV, as the selection process may include a phone or video conference interview in February
Nationality:
- Open to applicants of all nationalities — Swiss and international students are equally welcome
🎓 Who Should Apply
✅ ESOP is perfect for you if:
- You graduated (or are graduating) in the top 10% of your Bachelor’s class in any field
- You want to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree at one of the world’s top universities
- You are passionate about research, innovation, science, engineering, technology, or related fields
- You are looking for more than just financial support — mentorship, networking, and career development matter to you
- You want to live and study in Zurich, one of the world’s most livable and innovative cities
❌ You should not apply if:
- You are already enrolled in a Master’s programme at ETH Zurich
- You already hold a Master’s degree
- You are applying in the second application window (only the first November window is eligible for ESOP)
- Your Bachelor’s academic performance is below the top 10% of your cohort
🎓 Available Master’s Programs & Fields
One of the most powerful aspects of ESOP is that it covers virtually all Master’s programmes at ETH Zurich — no field is excluded (except MAS programmes). ETH Zurich offers over 40 Master’s programmes across the following broad academic areas:
- Architecture & Civil Engineering — Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geomatics, Spatial Development
- Engineering Sciences — Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology
- Computer Science & Data — Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity
- Natural Sciences — Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences
- Environmental Sciences — Environmental Engineering, Energy Science, Agricultural Sciences
- Health & Biomedical Sciences — Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences and Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Management & Social Sciences — Management, Technology, and Economics (MTE), Comparative and International Studies (MACIS), Humanities, Social and Political Sciences
- Materials & Interdisciplinary — Materials Science, Quantum Engineering, Neural Systems and Computation
All programmes are taught primarily in English, with some German-language requirements for specific courses. ETH Zurich welcomes students from all academic backgrounds who meet the entry requirements of their chosen programme.
🎓 Required Documents
In addition to the standard documents required for Master’s admission at ETH Zurich, ESOP applicants must prepare the following:
Standard Master’s Admission Documents:
- Valid passport or national ID
- Official Bachelor’s degree transcript and certificate (or proof of expected graduation)
- Evidence of ranking in the top 10% of your Bachelor’s cohort (self-assessed in the application)
- Language proficiency certificate (programme-dependent — English and/or German)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) — must include a reachable phone number for potential interviews
- Motivation letter / Statement of purpose for Master’s admission
Additional ESOP-Specific Documents:
- Pre-proposal for the Master’s thesis — this must be self-developed, following ETH Zurich’s official guidelines, and must use established scientific citation practices
- Two reference letters from professors — required if your chosen Master’s programme does not already ask for references as part of the standard admission
⚠️ Important: Plagiarism or intentional misinformation in the thesis pre-proposal will lead to immediate exclusion from the admission process, or revocation of any scholarship already awarded.
🎓 Application Process
ESOP applications are submitted via eApply, ETH Zurich’s online Master’s application portal. This also applies to ETH Bachelor’s students applying for a consecutive Master’s programme.
Here is the complete step-by-step process:
Step 1: Visit the official ETH Zurich Master’s application portal: https://www.ethz.ch/en/studies/master/application.html
Step 2: Create your account on eApply and select your desired Master’s programme
Step 3: When completing your application, tick the ESOP scholarship option — the scholarship application is fully integrated into the Master’s admission application
Step 4: If you are applying to more than one Master’s programme, submit a separate application for each programme
Step 5: Upload all required documents including your Master’s thesis pre-proposal following the official ETH guidelines (PDF available on the ETH website)
Step 6: If your programme does not require references, name two academic referees (professors) who will upload letters of recommendation directly into the system after receiving an automated email
Step 7: Ensure all documents are uploaded before November 30, 2026 at 11:59 h MEZ — late submissions are not accepted
Step 8: If shortlisted, be available for a phone or video interview in February 2027
Step 9: The applications are evaluated by the Admissions Committees of the respective Master’s programmes, with the final decision resting with the Rector of ETH Zurich. Results are communicated by end of March 2027
🎓 Important Dates
| Stage | Date |
| Application Window Opens | November 1, 2026 |
| Application Deadline (ESOP) | November 30, 2026 at 11:59 h MEZ |
| Potential Phone/Video Interviews | February 2027 |
| Scholarship Decisions Communicated | End of March 2027 |
| Programme Start | Autumn Semester 2027 (September) |
| Second Application Window (non-ESOP) | Until April 30, 2026 |
⚠️ Critical Note: ESOP applications are only accepted in the first application window (November 1–30). If you miss this window, you cannot apply for ESOP — even if you apply for the Master’s programme later. Mark your calendar now.
🎓 Why Apply — Why ETH Zurich?
ETH Zurich is not just a great university — it is one of the defining institutions of modern science and technology. Here is why ESOP scholars consider it a life-changing experience:
- World-class rankings: Consistently ranked in the global top 5 in engineering, natural sciences, and technology (QS, THE, ARWU)
- Nobel legacy: ETH Zurich has produced 21 Nobel laureates, including Albert Einstein, making it one of the most decorated academic institutions in history
- Research excellence: Home to cutting-edge labs, spin-off companies, and pioneering research in AI, sustainability, quantum computing, biomedical engineering, and more
- Zurich advantage: The city of Zurich ranks year after year as one of the world’s top cities for quality of life, safety, and career opportunities
- Truly global community: ETH Zurich welcomes students from all nations, and the ESOP actively attracts international talent
- Career launch pad: Former ESOP recipients have excellent prospects of holding key positions in business, science, or politics, or founding their own companies
- No language barrier for most programmes: The majority of Master’s courses are taught fully in English
🎓 Official Source
For complete and up-to-date information on the ESOP scholarship and the application process, visit these official resources:
🌐 ETH Foundation ESOP Page: https://ethz-foundation.ch/en/projects/topics/talents/esop/
🌐 Official ESOP Scholarship Details (ETH Student Portal): https://ethz.ch/students/en/studies/financial/scholarships/excellencescholarship.html
🖥️ Online Application Portal (eApply): https://www.ethz.ch/en/studies/master/application.html
📞 ETH Zurich Financial Aid Office: +41 44 632 20 88 / +41 44 632 30 38
📍 Address: ETH Zurich, Rämistrasse 101, HG F22.1, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
🎓 Scholarship Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Scholarship Name | Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) |
| University | ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) |
| Country | Switzerland 🇨🇭 |
| Degree Level | Master’s (all programmes except MAS) |
| Stipend | CHF 12,000 per semester (~CHF 24,000/year) |
| Tuition | Full waiver for entire programme duration |
| Duration | 3–4 semesters (regular programme duration) |
| Number of Awards | ~60 per year |
| Eligibility | Top 10% of Bachelor’s class, all nationalities |
| Application Deadline | November 30, 2026 |
| Results Announcement | End of March 2027 |
| Application Portal | eApply (ETH Zurich online) |
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