Good news for high-achieving students! The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) is a prestigious scholarship for excellent Master’s students at ETH Zurich. It supports students with a scholarship, mentorship, and access to the ETH Foundation network, and it covers the full study and living costs during the Master’s degree. The next application window is 1–30 November 2026 for a start in the HS27 Master’s programme.
Scholarship Overview
- Host Country: Switzerland.
- Host University: ETH Zurich.
- Program Name: Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP).
- Study Level: Master’s degree only.
- Scholarship Type: Fully funded Master’s scholarship.
- Next Application Window: 1–30 November 2026, 11:59 CET/MEZ.
- Approximate Number of Scholarships: about 60 for the 2027/28 academic year.
Scholarship Benefits
The ESOP provides a scholarship of CHF 12,000 per semester, plus a tuition fee waiver. It also includes mentorship and access to the ETH Foundation network, making it a strong package for outstanding students who want to study at one of Europe’s top universities.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered, applicants must have a very good Bachelor’s degree result, which ETH describes as being in the top 10% of the Bachelor’s programme based on self-assessment. Students who are already enrolled in a Master’s degree at ETH Zurich, or who already hold a Master’s degree, are not eligible. The scholarship is meant for excellent students applying for a first Master’s programme, including ETH Bachelor students moving into a consecutive Master’s.
Required Documents
In addition to the usual Master’s admission documents, applicants must upload a pre-proposal for their Master’s thesis. If the study programme does not request references, applicants must also name two reference persons who can upload recommendation letters after being contacted by the system. ETH also states that the pre-proposal must be written by the applicant and follow proper scientific citation practice.
How to Apply for ETH Zurich ESOP 2027
- Apply for a Master’s programme at ETH Zurich through the eApply online system during the first application window.
- Upload the required ESOP documents, including the Master’s thesis pre-proposal.
- Make sure your CV includes a reachable phone number, because the selection process may include a phone or video interview in February.
- Wait for the final decision, which ETH says is communicated by the end of March.
Why You Should Apply
The ETH Zurich ESOP is a great opportunity for students with excellent academic records who want to study in Switzerland with major financial support. Since the scholarship covers living and study expenses and includes mentorship, it is ideal for motivated students who want both academic excellence and strong career development.
Final Words
If you are planning to start a Master’s degree at ETH Zurich and your academic record is strong, this scholarship is worth preparing for early. The application window is short, so make sure you are ready before 1 November 2026.
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