The Federal Polytechnic Institution or Polytechnical was founded in 1854 as a result of a law passed by the Swill Federal Parliament mandating the establishment of a polytechnical school. In 1911, the school was renamed Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, and it became one of the driving factors behind industrialization in Switzerland. ETH Zurich is now home to some of the best applied and fundamental scientific and technology research in the world, and it is ranked among the top ten universities in the world.
Since its founding in 1855, ETH Zurich has been a popular destination for international students, with the number of international students steadily increasing over time. This article will provide you an overview of ETH Zurich scholarships and the application process for all international students who want to study but don’t know how to apply or can’t afford to pay the university’s tuition.
ETH Zurich has a large number of international students
Non-Swiss nationality has been a constant at ETH Zurich for the past 10 years, accounting for 625 students (20%) in undergraduate programs; it only rises to 43 percent in master’s programs and 73 percent in PhD studies. International Student Support and a Handbook for International Students are two resources accessible at the institution to assist all aspiring applicants during their application process.
International Students’ Tuition Fee
ETH Zurich has a low tuition charge for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, which is $800 each semester for both domestic and international students. Doctoral programs are more expensive, with each semester costing $1,600. While the charge is lower than at other top schools throughout the world, keep in mind that the cost of living in Switzerland is considerable, and there are also extra semestral expenses to pay.
ETH Zurich’s International Admissions Guide
If you want to apply to an undergraduate program at ETH Zurich, you must do so before the Autumn semester. Usual applications will be accepted from November 1 to April 30 of the following year, but a late application will be accepted from May 1 to July 31, and you will be charged a late application cost in addition to the regular application fee. Even if you don’t have your documents yet, you can still apply; however, you must submit them by August-October before the semester begins; otherwise, your application will be invalid. To apply, complete the eApply form, print it, and submit it to the Admission Office with all of your criteria.
International students interested in pursuing higher education through ETH Master’s programs can now apply through eApply. However, before you apply, double-check that you fit the requirements for the programs you want to pursue. There will be two application periods: one from November 15 to December 15, and the other from March 1 to March 31. In most cases, you will get the outcome of your application within two to three months.
Fees for applications
International applicants will be charged a higher application price of $160 for both graduate and undergraduate degrees; however, a late application fee of $215 will be charged for late applications in the Bachelor’s program.
International Students’ Admissions Requirements at ETH Zurich
To apply to undergraduate programs at ETH Zurich, you must send an original plus a translated copy of your documents if they are not in German, French, Italian, or English. The following documents are necessary for application:
- eApply’s printed application form with a signature
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Certificate of completion of upper secondary school
- Transcripts from the previous three years of education
- a certificate in German
- Payment receipt
- University transcripts, entrance certificated, and, if available, a university diploma are required for applicants who have already completed an undergraduate program.
In the case of graduate programs, you will need to submit the following documents:
- Official transcripts/academic records from an undergraduate program or a comparable program
- a certificate in German
- Motivational Letter
- Recommendation Letter
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Scores on the GRE
- Portfolio of academic achievements
Prepare your documents ahead of time to ensure a quick and easy application procedure.
Rankings
ETH Zurich, as a flagship institution for Science and Technology, is a leader in higher education in Switzerland and around the world. For the second year in a row, QS Ranking has ranked the university sixth in its World University Ranking for 2020 and 2021. The university’s academic prowess is also recognized by Times Higher Education, which ranks it 14th among all universities worldwide. According to the QS WUR Ranking By Subject 2021, it also ranks first among the top institutions in Geology.
Acceptance Rate at ETH Zurich
The predicted acceptance rate at ETH Zurich is not so low, at 27 percent, thanks to its very strict admission process. The university has an average of 20,000 students and receives over a hundred thousand applications from 125 countries each year. You must have a strong academic background and a good score on the university’s admissions test to get accepted.
Scholarships for International Students at ETH Zurich
Scholarships for Undergraduates
1. ETH fellowships
- Link to a Scholarship
- The amount of the scholarship varies
While the majority of ETH Zurich’s scholarships are for Master’s programs, the ETH scholarship is one of the few internal grants offered to all qualified students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. The scholarship amount fluctuates depending on the needs of the students, and they have a scholarship calculator to help them figure it out. To be eligible for BSc studies, you must have completed all of the first-year exams and have 120 credits. From September 1 through July 31, you can apply for this ETH Zurich scholarship for overseas students through the eStip. Only send supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office, such as your parents’ final tax returns, the Evidence of Assets Form, the Evidence of Transportation Costs, and so on, so that the Financial Aid Office can assess your financial need.
Because undergraduate tuition is lower, ETH Zurich’s scholarship program focuses on students in graduate degrees
Scholarships for Graduate Students
1. Scholarship & Opportunity Program for Excellence
- Link to a Scholarship
- Amount of Scholarship: Full Tuition + a Grant of $12,900 each semester
For Master’s students at ETH Zurich, there are two primary scholarship programs: the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) and the ETH-D Scholarship. ESOP covers housing and study costs for the entire 1-2 year Master’s program, but it also provides students with mentorship and access to the ETH Foundation network. To be considered for this ETH Zurich international student scholarship, you must have graduated in the top 10% of your Bachelor’s degree class with A level marks and applied using the eApply site. Around 60 students are accepted into the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Program each year.
2. ETH-D Scholarship
- Link to a Scholarship
- Scholarship Amount: Full Tuition Fee + $8,000 per semester grant + $3,200 per semester department scholarship + $530-$640 per month paid assistantship
The ETH-D scholarship is comparable to the ESOP scholarship in terms of eligibility, application process, and deadlines, but it also offers additional financial aid from your department. This ETH Zurich scholarship is worth up to $22,500 per year in Zurich and $25,700 per year in Bassel. Thirty applicants are selected each year based on their undergraduate standing and a pre-proposal thesis as the criteria for selection.