The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship is a fully funded award for Master’s study in Switzerland. It runs through the Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Programme, known as ESOP. It supports top students at ETH Zurich. Many applicants also compare it with other fully funded routes. For example, some look at the Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarship, another major option in Europe.
Overview
- Host country, Switzerland
- Host school, ETH Zurich
- Level of study, Master’s degree only
- Number of scholars, About 60 selected for the 2027 to 2028 intake
- Nationality, Open to applicants from all countries
- Funded by, The ETH Zurich Foundation
Benefits of the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship
First, scholars get a full tuition fee waiver. Also, they get a living and study grant. Plus, they join the ETH Foundation network. In short, the award covers this.
- A grant of 12,000 Swiss Francs per semester for living and study costs
- A full tuition fee waiver, for the full length of the Master’s programme
- Funding for three or four semesters, based on your chosen programme
- Mentorship through the ETH Foundation
- Access to a strong global alumni network
Who Should Apply
This award suits top graduates with excellent grades, not average students. Meanwhile, students who prefer a research based PhD instead may look at the Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship, which funds full doctoral study in Canada.
Eligibility Requirements
Overall, applicants must meet these points.
- Rank in the top 10 percent of your bachelor’s graduating class
- Apply for an eligible Master’s programme at ETH Zurich
- Show strong grades across your full academic record
- Be reachable for a possible phone or video interview in February
- Meet the normal admission rules for your chosen programme
Linked To Programme Admission
Notably, the scholarship application runs through the same online system as your Master’s application. This linked process is close to the setup used for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, where funding also flows from a single unified application.
Required Documents
- Completed Master’s application through eApply
- Academic transcripts
- A separate scholarship application form, for each programme you apply to
- A CV, with a reachable phone number for interviews
- Any documents required by your specific programme
How to Apply
First, choose an eligible Master’s programme at ETH Zurich. Next, submit both your Master’s application and your ESOP scholarship form through eApply. Then, wait for the Admissions Committee to review your file, since a decision usually comes at the end of March. This linked application step is close to the process used for the UNSW Scholarship, where admission and funding also move together.
Application Deadline
This cycle has not opened yet. Applications open on November 1, 2026. The deadline for programmes starting in Fall 2027 is November 30, 2026. So, this window has not started yet, which gives you real time to prepare a strong application before it begins.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship gives strong, complete funding for Master’s study in Switzerland. However, if you prefer a program in North America instead, check other options too. For instance, the Knight Hennessy Scholars program funds graduate study at Stanford.
