About this opportunity
The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) is a fully funded master's scholarship for top-performing students, covering full tuition plus CHF 12,000 per semester in living and study expenses (rising to CHF 13,500 from the autumn 2027 intake), with mentorship and access to the ETH Foundation network. Around 60 ESOP scholarships are assigned for the 2027/28 academic year across engineering, computer science, natural sciences, and management programmes. Applicants must rank in the top 10% of their bachelor's programme.
The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 2027 is a fully funded scholarship offered by ETH Zurich for applicants heading to Switzerland. Applications close on Nov 30, 2026.
Who should apply?
This may be a fit if the following points describe you. Always use the official criteria as the final check.
- Hold a bachelor's degree (or be completing one) with a result in the top 10% of your bachelor's programme (grade A; self-assessed)
- Be applying for an eligible consecutive master's programme at ETH Zurich for autumn 2027 (no MAS programmes)
- Not already be enrolled in a master's programme at ETH Zurich and not already hold a master's degree
- Meet the admission and language requirements of the chosen master's programme
- Be reachable by phone in February 2027, as the selection may include a phone or video interview
What the opportunity may offer
- Full tuition fee waiver for the regular duration of the master's programme (three or four semesters)
- CHF 12,000 per semester for living and study expenses (CHF 13,500 per semester from HS27 onwards)
- Mentorship from ETH during the degree
- Access to the ETH Foundation network for professional development
- Around 60 scholarships assigned for the 2027/28 academic year
Required documents
- Completed ETH master's application in eApply with the Excellence Scholarship option selected
- Official bachelor's degree certificate and academic transcripts
- CV including a reachable telephone number
- Motivation letter for the ESOP application
- Self-developed master's thesis pre-proposal following established scientific citation practice (plagiarism leads to exclusion)
- Two professor reference letters if the study programme does not already collect references
- Proof of English proficiency where the programme requires it
Application process
- Check the admission and language requirements of your target ETH master's programme
- Prepare the master's thesis pre-proposal yourself using established scientific citation practice
- Complete the online master's application in eApply between 1 and 30 November 2026 and select the ESOP option
- Ensure two professor references are uploaded via the system if your programme does not ask for them
- Be available for a possible phone or video interview in February 2027
- Await the decision, communicated by the end of March 2027 alongside master's admission results
Before you apply
- □Apply before Nov 30, 2026 — confirm the date in your own time zone
- □Confirm that you meet every eligibility condition set by ETH Zurich
- □Prepare your 7 required documents in the format asked for
- □Ask referees early and share the official instructions
- □Review the official source once more before submitting
Deadline notes
Official window: 1-30 November 2026, closing 11:59 CET, for a start in the autumn 2027 master's programme (HS27). ESOP applications go through eApply within the master's admission application, and this is the only window for international applicants targeting an autumn 2027 start.
Frequently asked questions
What does the ESOP cover?
Per ethz.ch: a scholarship covering living and study expenses of CHF 12,000 per semester (CHF 13,500 from HS27 onwards) plus a full tuition fee waiver, for the regular duration of the master's programme (three or four semesters). Scholars also get mentorship and access to the ETH Foundation network.
What grades do I need for ESOP?
A very good bachelor's result in the top 10% of your bachelor's programme (grade A), based on self-assessment.
What extra documents does ESOP require beyond admission?
A master's thesis pre-proposal developed by yourself using established scientific citation practice, and two professor references if your study programme does not already collect them. Plagiarism or misinformation leads to exclusion from the admission process.
Who is not eligible for ESOP?
Students already enrolled in a master's programme at ETH Zurich, students who already hold a master's degree, and applicants to MAS programmes are not eligible.
How do I apply for ESOP?
Through eApply, ETH's online master's application, selecting the Excellence Scholarship option within the same process. For an autumn 2027 start, the window is 1 to 30 November 2026, closing at 11:59 CET.
Programme details can change. Check the original listing before you prepare or submit an application.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-25UShireZone is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. We never charge applicants to apply. Always verify details and submit through the official website.