ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2027/28: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship in Switzerland

ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2027/28: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship in Switzerland

Are you planning to pursue a Master’s degree in Switzerland at one of the world’s leading universities? The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 2027/28 is an outstanding opportunity for academically excellent students who want to study at ETH Zurich.

The ESOP provides financial support for the Master’s degree, along with mentorship and access to a network supported by the ETH Foundation. According to ETH Zurich, the scholarship is designed for outstanding students entering a qualifying Master’s programme. The upcoming application period for students starting their Master’s programme in the 2027/28 academic year is November 1 to November 30, 2026.

ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2027/28: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship in Switzerland

ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship 2027/28 – Quick Overview

Scholarship	Details
Scholarship Name	Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
University	ETH Zurich
Country	Switzerland
Study Level	Master’s
Funding	Scholarship + tuition fee waiver
Scholarship Amount	CHF 13,500 per semester from HS27
Duration	Regular Master’s programme duration
Expected Awards	Approximately 60 for 2027/28
Application Period	November 1–30, 2026
Application Method	Online ETH Zurich Master’s application
Selection Decision	Expected by the end of March

ETH Zurich says that the ESOP scholarship covers living and study expenses and includes a tuition fee waiver. From the 2027 autumn semester (HS27), the scholarship amount will be CHF 13,500 per semester.

What Is the ETH Zurich ESOP Scholarship?

The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme is a merit-based scholarship offered by ETH Zurich to exceptionally strong Master’s students.

The programme is more than financial assistance. Successful scholars also receive mentorship and access to a network connected with the ETH Foundation, providing opportunities to develop academically and professionally during their studies.

For students who want to study in Switzerland but are concerned about the cost of graduate education, ESOP can significantly reduce the financial burden.

Scholarship Benefits

The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship provides several important benefits.

1. Financial Support

For students beginning their Master’s programme in HS27, the scholarship provides CHF 13,500 per semester toward living and study expenses. ETH Zurich states that the previous amount was CHF 12,000 per semester and that the amount increases to CHF 13,500 from HS27.

2. Tuition Fee Waiver

ESOP also includes a tuition fee waiver for the regular duration of the Master’s programme.

3. Mentorship

The programme provides scholars with mentorship, helping them benefit from guidance and academic connections during their Master’s studies.

4. ETH Foundation Network

Recipients also become connected with a network supported by the ETH Foundation, creating opportunities to develop valuable academic and professional relationships.

Who Can Apply for ESOP 2027/28?

The scholarship is intended for students applying for a qualifying Master’s programme at ETH Zurich.

One of the most important academic requirements is outstanding performance during the Bachelor’s degree. ETH Zurich states that applicants should have a result equivalent to being within the top 10% of their Bachelor’s programme, corresponding to grade A under the university's stated assessment.

Applicants should therefore have an exceptionally strong academic record before applying.

Who Is Not Eligible?

There are important restrictions.

Students who are already enrolled in a Master’s degree programme at ETH Zurich are not eligible for ESOP. Applicants who already hold a Master’s degree are also not eligible.

Therefore, prospective applicants should carefully check their academic situation before preparing an ESOP application.

ETH Zurich ESOP Application Deadline 2026

For students planning to begin their Master’s programme in the 2027/28 academic year, the next ESOP application period is:

Opening date: November 1, 2026
Deadline: November 30, 2026
Deadline time: 11:59 p.m. CET/MEZ, according to ETH Zurich's page

ETH Zurich specifically states that ESOP applicants must apply during the first application window.

Because the scholarship application is connected with the Master’s admission process, students should prepare their documents well before November.

How to Apply for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship

ESOP applications are submitted through the online ETH Zurich Master’s application (eApply). This also applies to ETH Bachelor’s students applying for a consecutive Master’s programme.

Applicants should generally prepare their Master’s admission documents and the additional materials required specifically for ESOP.

Required ESOP Pre-Proposal

An important additional requirement is a pre-proposal for the Master’s thesis.

ETH Zurich states that the pre-proposal must be developed by the applicant and should follow established scientific citation practices. Applicants should therefore make sure that their proposal is genuinely their own work and properly references sources.

Plagiarism or intentional or negligent misinformation can result in exclusion from the admission process or cancellation of an awarded scholarship if discovered later.

Recommendation Letters

If the selected Master’s programme does not already require references, ESOP applicants must provide the names of two professors as reference persons.

These professors will receive an email from the system and will be asked to submit reference letters for the application.

Applicants should therefore contact suitable professors early rather than waiting until the final days of the application period.

ESOP Selection Process

Applications are assessed by the admissions committees responsible for the respective Master’s programmes.

The final decision concerning the award of an ESOP scholarship is made by the Rector of ETH Zurich. ETH Zurich notes that the exact number of scholarships can vary depending on available funding.

For the 2027/28 academic year, ETH Zurich currently expects to award approximately 60 ESOP scholarships.

The scholarship decision is expected to be communicated by the end of March.

Interview Possibility

Applicants should remain reachable using the telephone number provided in their CV.

ETH Zurich notes that the selection process may include a telephone or video interview in February. Students who cannot be reached during that period are advised to contact their study programme coordinator.

This makes it important to provide accurate contact information and regularly monitor email and other communication channels.

How to Improve Your ESOP Application

Competition for a highly prestigious scholarship can be strong. Students should focus on presenting a clear and convincing application.

Maintain Excellent Academic Results

Academic performance is one of the central factors because ETH Zurich expects applicants to demonstrate results around the top 10% of their Bachelor’s programme.

Prepare a Strong Thesis Pre-Proposal

Your Master’s thesis pre-proposal should demonstrate that you understand your proposed research area. Make it clear, focused and scientifically structured.

Choose Your References Carefully

If references are required, select professors who know your academic work and can provide a meaningful assessment of your abilities.

Check Everything Before Submission

Before submitting your application, carefully check academic documents, contact details, references and the thesis pre-proposal.

Most importantly, ensure that all submitted information is accurate and that your academic work is your own.

When Will the 2027/28 Scholarships Be Awarded?

For the 2027/28 intake, ETH Zurich expects approximately 60 ESOP scholarships to be awarded.

The university states that decisions are communicated by the end of March. The number of scholarships can depend on the availability of funds.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship is particularly suitable for students who:

·         Have an outstanding Bachelor’s academic record

·         Are planning to begin a qualifying Master’s degree at ETH Zurich

·         Can demonstrate excellent academic potential

·         Are prepared to develop a strong Master’s thesis pre-proposal

·         Need substantial financial support for graduate study

·         Want to study at a leading Swiss university

·         Are interested in mentorship and academic networking

Final Thoughts

The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme 2027/28 is a major opportunity for high-achieving students seeking a Master’s education in Switzerland.

The programme combines substantial financial support with a tuition fee waiver, mentorship and access to an ETH Foundation network. For the 2027/28 intake, the application window is November 1–30, 2026, and ETH Zurich currently expects approximately 60 scholarships to be available.

Students interested in applying should begin preparing early, particularly their academic documents, Master’s application and thesis pre-proposal. Because scholarship conditions and deadlines can change, applicants should always verify the latest requirements directly with ETH Zurich before submitting an application.

Official scholarship information: ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme