ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP) 2027: Here is How to Apply for it
A strong academic record can put an ETH Zurich master’s within reach; paying for the degree is another challenge. The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) for autumn 2027 addresses both study and living costs, with CHF 13,500 per semester and a tuition fee waiver.
The opportunity comes with a serious academic filter: you should be among the strongest students in your bachelor’s programme, and your application needs more than impressive grades. A short research pre-proposal must show that you can turn an interesting subject into a workable scientific question.
Applications are upcoming, giving you time to prepare before November. Let’s use that time well: check your fit, understand the support and build an application that explains what you are ready to investigate.
Can you apply for ETH Zurich ESOP 2027?
You need an excellent bachelor’s record and must qualify for your chosen ETH master’s. ESOP excludes applicants who already hold a master’s degree or are already enrolled in an ETH master’s. It also excludes Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) programmes.
Start with course fit. ETH checks whether your previous studies satisfy the programme’s subject requirements; high grades cannot replace missing academic preparation. Compare your transcript with the admission profile, especially the required mathematics, scientific or technical coursework. Your nationality and the country where you earned your degree are separate considerations: follow the admission route matching your educational background.
Still finishing your bachelor’s? You can apply before graduation, provided you receive the degree certificate by the start of lectures. Check your university’s graduation schedule now rather than discovering a timing problem after an offer.
Can you apply without IELTS? Possibly. ETH accepts an English-test exemption for a bachelor’s taught entirely in English, with compliant official confirmation. A separate confirmation must come from the university’s central administration and carry the required stamp and signature or certified electronic signature. A professor’s informal letter is insufficient. Otherwise, submit recognised language evidence by the application deadline; check whether your programme also requires German.
What does the scholarship mean for your study budget?
ESOP combines financial support with mentorship and access to the ETH Foundation network. That gives you room to focus on the degree while building academic connections.
The grant is paid at the beginning of each semester after enrolment, into your Swiss bank or post office account. Plan separately for expenses that arise before the first payment, such as your application and initial relocation arrangements; do not assume an additional travel allowance.
The support follows the standard programme duration. Extra semesters are not automatically funded, and exchange semesters or compulsory internships can affect payments. If you intend to include either, discuss the funding consequences with the Financial Aid Office before committing.
How do you turn good grades into a convincing application?
Build a focused research pre-proposal that demonstrates independent thinking. ETH’s guideline sets a maximum of 500 words, excluding references. This outlines a possible thesis; the final topic is developed during your studies with your supervisor.
Think small enough to investigate properly. “I want to solve climate change” is an ambition. An illustrative question such as “How does one building-insulation material perform under specified temperature conditions?” gives you something measurable. Your own idea should explain the question, suitable methods and a realistic scope.
| Application component | How to prepare it? |
|---|---|
| Academic records | Collect transcripts from every university attended, including exchanges and unfinished programmes. Check translation requirements. |
| Thesis pre-proposal | Explain your research question, context, methods, prior work, realistic timetable and references within the word limit. |
| Academic references | Ask professors who know your work. Share your transcript, research idea and submission schedule so they can write specifically. |
| Programme-specific evidence | Check the required CV, motivation letter, portfolio or GRE rather than assuming every programme asks for the same package. |
Write the proposal yourself and cite the work you use. Prepare to explain why your method fits the question and what you would do if the expected data were unavailable. This is useful interview preparation as well as a good test of whether the idea makes sense.
How do you Apply for the Master’s and ETH Zurich ESOP?
Apply for ESOP within your online master’s application through eApply during the first application window. Do not wait for admission before requesting the scholarship.
- Choose your programme and check its admission profile. Use ETH’s master’s application guidance to select the correct educational route and document checklist.
- Prepare your admission documents and ESOP pre-proposal. Follow the official pre-proposal guideline. Upload documents in their original language, adding the required translation where applicable.
- Arrange references early. If your programme does not already request references, ESOP requires two professor referees, who upload letters following the system’s email invitation. Ask them to monitor their inboxes.
- Complete the application and select ESOP. Start from the official ESOP page and its eApply link. Pay the applicable admission application fee, submit and retain the confirmation.
- Stay available for selection. Keep your CV telephone number current; interviews may take place in February. Scholarship decisions are expected by the end of March.
When should you be ready to submit?
The last date to apply for the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme offered by ETH Zurich is 30 November 2026. Applications open on 1 November 2026 for autumn 2027 entry.
ETH’s pages currently show inconsistent cutoff times, including an FAQ reference to 11:59 a.m. Swiss time. Do not assume the deadline is midnight. Set your own submission target before the final day and check the current portal instructions when the window opens.
Your next three moves are straightforward: confirm your programme fit, ask your referees and draft the research question. When November arrives, you should be checking a prepared application—not starting one.