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Masters / ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 2026 , Switzerland (Fully Funded)

Scholarship
Switzerland
On-site
Published Mar 16, 2026

Overview

The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) provides comprehensive financial and academic support to high-achieving Master’s students. Beyond funding, ESOP scholars benefit from mentoring opportunities and close connections with the ETH Foundation’s international network .

The scholarship covers both tuition fees and living expenses for the entire duration of the Master’s programme.

Description

The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) provides comprehensive financial and academic support to high-achieving Master’s students. Beyond funding, ESOP scholars benefit from mentoring opportunities and close connections with the ETH Foundation’s international network .

The scholarship covers both tuition fees and living expenses for the entire duration of the Master’s programme.

Eligibility

To be considered for the ESOP scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Rank in the top 10% of their Bachelor’s degree programme (Grade A equivalent, self-assessed)
Hold a Bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of Bachelor studies
Be newly applying for a Master’s programme at ETH Zurich
Be available for potential phone or video interviews during the selection process

Additional Information

What Is The Eth Zurich Esop

The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) provides comprehensive financial and academic support to high-achieving Master’s students. Beyond funding, ESOP scholars benefit from mentoring opportunities and close connections with the ETH Foundation’s international network .
The scholarship covers both tuition fees and living expenses for the entire duration of the Master’s programme.

Degree Level

All ETH Zurich Master’s degree programmes (excluding MAS programmes)
Open to international and Swiss students
Consecutive Master’s programmes are included

Available Subjects

All subjects

Benefits

Successful ESOP recipients receive:

CHF 12,000 per semester to cover living and study expenses
Full tuition fee waiver
Financial support for the entire standard duration of the Master’s programme (3 or 4 semesters)
Access to mentorship and networking opportunities through the ETH Foundation
Only ETH Bachelor graduates may begin ESOP with a formal leave of absence.

Eligible Nationalities

Open to applicants of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the ESOP scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Rank in the top 10% of their Bachelor’s degree programme (Grade A equivalent, self-assessed)
Hold a Bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of Bachelor studies
Be newly applying for a Master’s programme at ETH Zurich
Be available for potential phone or video interviews during the selection process

Not Eligible If

You are already enrolled in a Master’s programme at ETH Zurich
You already hold a Master’s degree

Application Window

Applications for ESOP must be submitted only during the first ETH Zurich Master’s application window.
Application period: 1 November – 30 November
Programme start: Autumn semester (HS) of the following academic year
Late or second-window applications are not eligible for ESOP consideration.

Required Application Documents

In addition to the standard ETH Zurich Master’s admission documents, ESOP applicants must submit:

Pre-proposal for the Master’s thesis (mandatory)
Two academic referees (professors) if references are not required by the study programme

The thesis pre-proposal must:

Be written independently by the applicant
Follow proper academic citation standards
Be original and plagiarism-free
Any form of plagiarism or misinformation leads to immediate disqualification or revocation of admission and scholarship.

Selection Process

Approximately 60 ESOP scholarships are awarded each year
Applications are evaluated by the Admissions Committees of individual Master’s programmes
Final approval is granted by the Rector of ETH Zurich
Scholarship decisions are communicated by end of March
The number of scholarships varies annually depending on available funding.

Why Choose Eth Zurich Esop

One of the most competitive fully funded Master’s scholarships in Europe
Study at a top 10 global university
Strong focus on academic excellence, leadership, and innovation
Long-term benefits through mentorship and elite networking

Frequently Asked Questions Faqs

When can I apply for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)? You can apply for the ETH Zurich ESOP during the international Master’s application window from 1 November to 30 November each year for studies starting in the following autumn semester . Applications must be submitted online via ETH Zurich’s eApply portal . Applications for the spring semester are only available to current ETH Zurich students.
How long does the ETH Zurich ESOP scholarship last and when is it paid? The ESOP scholarship is awarded for the standard duration of the chosen Master’s programme (three or four semesters). The grant is paid in three or four instalments, with each instalment released at the beginning of each semester, provided the student has completed semester enrolment. Payments are made directly to the student’s Swiss bank or post office account.
Can ESOP scholars receive funding during internships, assistantships, or exchange semesters? ESOP funding is suspended during exchange semesters and during compulsory internships lasting 10 weeks or more, although tuition fees remain waived. For voluntary internships, students may choose whether to continue or suspend the grant. ESOP is compatible with assistantships, as long as academic progress is not affected. The scholarship cannot be extended beyond the standard study duration.

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Funding

Fully Funded

Organization

ETH Zurich

Degree

Masters

Subjects

All Subjects

Nationality

International Students

Country

Switzerland

Source

Information provided by scholarships_ads.

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