Who this is for: Excellent bachelor’s graduates (or final-year students) in the top 10% of their class who want to do a master’s at ETH Zurich. The scholarship page states no nationality restriction.
ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading universities for science and technology, runs the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) for outstanding master’s students. For the 2027/28 academic year, about 60 scholarships are available. Each covers tuition fees and pays CHF 13,500 per semester towards living and study costs, for the regular length of the master’s programme.
Deadline: 30 November 2026, 23:59 Central European Time, for master’s programmes starting in autumn 2027.
At a Glance
| Host | ETH Zurich, Switzerland |
| Level | Master’s (any ETH master’s programme) |
| Award | Tuition fee waiver plus CHF 13,500 per semester |
| Duration | The regular length of the master’s (three or four semesters) |
| Places | About 60 for 2027/28 |
| Who can apply | Top 10% of your bachelor’s class |
| Start | Autumn semester 2027 |
| Deadline | 30 November 2026, 23:59 CET |
About ESOP
ESOP supports students with an excellent bachelor’s record who want to do a master’s at ETH. You apply for the scholarship as part of your master’s application in ETH’s first application window (1–30 November 2026).
Benefits
- A tuition fee waiver for the whole master’s
- CHF 13,500 per semester for living and study costs (from autumn 2027)
- Funding for the regular duration of the programme: three or four semesters
- A master’s at a university regularly ranked among the world’s top ten
Eligibility
- An excellent bachelor’s degree: you should be in the top 10% of your bachelor’s programme (grade A). This is based on your own assessment, backed by your transcripts.
- You must apply for an ETH master’s programme in the first application window (1–30 November 2026).
- Current ETH master’s students and ETH master’s graduates aren’t eligible.
- No nationality restriction is stated on the scholarship page. Each master’s programme has its own admission requirements, including English.
How to Apply
- Choose your master’s programme at ETH and check its admission requirements.
- Apply through ETH’s eApply portal between 1 and 30 November 2026, and indicate that you’re applying for ESOP.
- Upload the usual master’s documents, plus a CV with a phone number where you can be reached.
- Write a pre-proposal for your master’s thesis yourself, with proper citations.
- Name two professors as referees if your programme doesn’t already require references. They’ll receive an email and must upload their letters within two weeks.
- Submit by 23:59 CET on 30 November 2026.
What happens next: shortlisted candidates may have a phone or video interview in February 2027. Decisions are sent at the end of March 2027.
Tips
- Make your thesis pre-proposal yours. ETH asks for a self-written proposal; a clear, focused research question stands out.
- Show your ranking. If your university publishes class rankings or a first-class result, include the evidence.
- Brief your referees early. They have only two weeks once ETH emails them.
- Apply in November, not later. ESOP is only open in the first application window.
Related Opportunities
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028
- University of Groningen Scholarships 2027
- Hertie School Digital Governance Scholarship 2027
- Swedish Institute Scholarships for Master’s in Sweden
- 22 Fully Funded Scholarships for Africans Open Now (2027 Intake)
Want only the scholarships you qualify for? Get your free matches on the OpportunityLab Portal.
