ETH Zurich — Student Guide
Quick facts, how to apply (Bachelor & Master), language requirements, deadlines, tuition & living costs, accommodation, and English-taught Master’s examples with official links.
At a glance
ETH Zurich is one of Europe’s top technical universities. Bachelor’s degrees are taught in German; most Master’s degrees are taught in English (some are German or bilingual). International students follow the same transparent route with fixed deadlines and, in some cases, an ETH entrance exam.
Quick facts
- Established: 1855.
- Students: ~26,200 total (2024); international ~44%.
- Structure: Architecture & Civil Engineering • Engineering Sciences • Natural Sciences & Mathematics • System-oriented Natural Sciences • Management & Social Sciences.
- Language: Bachelor in German; Master’s mostly in English (some German/bilingual).
- Ranking & reputation: consistently among Europe’s top engineering & science schools.
- Programme finder (Master’s): Browse Master’s programmes
How to apply — Bachelor (with a non-Swiss secondary school certificate)
- Check admission route: some foreign certificates allow admission without entrance exam; others require the ETH entrance examination (reduced or comprehensive).
- Language: submit a recognised German certificate by 31 March (C1-level tests accepted; see official list).
- Apply online: application window for Autumn entry is typically 1 December – 31 March. Bachelor’s start only in Autumn.
- If exam is required: register for the ETH entrance exam (registration usually 15 Sep – 15 Oct; exam in January).
- After decision: if admitted without exam, you’ll complete registration and originals check before September.
Always verify country-specific rules and dates on the official ETH pages. Medicine (Human Medicine BSc) has special procedures.
How to apply — Master’s (international Bachelor’s)
- Find your programme and read its requirements (background, GPA, portfolio/written work if any).
- Language: most programmes require C1 English (recognised tests like IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge); some require German or bilingual ability — see the programme page.
- Deadlines: for Autumn intake, the main international window typically opens in November (exact dates vary by year/programme); Swiss Bachelor’s graduates have a separate April window.
- Selection: Master’s admission is competitive and holistic; strong academic preparation is expected.
Upload the recognised language certificate by the application deadline — late certificates are not accepted.
Language requirements — summary
- Bachelor: German required (submit recognised certificate by 31 March).
- Master’s: programme-specific. Most are English-taught (C1-level English via recognised tests). Some are German or bilingual — check each programme’s page.
Tuition & compulsory semester fees (from Autumn 2025)
| Who | Tuition per semester | Notes | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (Swiss/Liechtenstein citizens; or resident in CH/LI when earning school-leaving certificate; some EU/EFTA permit cases) | CHF 730 | + small semester fees (sports, student union, etc.) | ETH tuition (Student portal) |
| Group 2 (other international students) | CHF 2,190 | Applies from Autumn 2025 (with transitional rules) | ETH tuition (Student portal) |
| ETH entrance exam fee (if required) | CHF 550 / 800 | Reduced / comprehensive examination | Entrance exam |
ETH checks your group (1 or 2) during admission. Transitional rules protect students already enrolled before Autumn 2025.
Living costs — Zurich (official ETH estimate, per year)
| Category | Annual estimate (CHF) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (room, incl. heating) | ≈ 11,300 | Average in canton Zurich (2024) |
| Meals | ≈ 7,200 | Mensa/cafeteria + groceries |
| Public transport (city) | ≈ 586 | Age ≤ 25, Zurich city pass |
| Health insurance (non-EU/EFTA) | ≈ 1,320 | Average annual premium |
| Personal expenses | ≈ 1,680 | Phone, clothing, leisure, etc. |
| Total living costs | ≈ 22,100 | ETH official international student guide |
Total study & living costs per year: Group 1 ≈ CHF 25,200; Group 2 ≈ CHF 28,100 (excl. Architecture extras). Always check the latest PDF.
Accommodation — what to expect
ETH does not guarantee rooms for all students. Most find housing via the UZH/ETH Housing Office and the student cooperative WOKO (≈4,000 rooms in Zurich & Winterthur). Apply early — Zurich’s rental market is tight.
Private rentals often require a full-year contract and a deposit.
Programmes & language — examples
Bachelor’s: taught in German (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Physics, Biology). German C1 required for admission.
Master’s (English-taught examples):
- Computer Science (MSc) — language: English
- Electrical Engineering & Information Technology (MSc) — language: English
- Management, Technology & Economics (MSc) — language: English
- Comparative & International Studies (MA ETH/UZH) — language: English
Application timelines — snapshot
Bachelor (Autumn start only)
- Apply: 1 Dec – 31 Mar
- German certificate: by 31 Mar
- Entrance exam (if required): register 15 Sep – 15 Oct → exam in January → start the following Autumn
Master’s (Autumn intake)
- International Bachelor’s: main window typically in November (exact dates vary by programme/year)
- Swiss Bachelor’s: separate April window
- Language certificate: upload by the programme’s deadline (no late uploads)
Always follow your programme’s official dates — they can change year to year.
Official links
- Bachelor — non-Swiss certificates (overview) • Dates • German language requirements • Entrance examination
- Swissuniversities — country-by-country admission rules
- Tuition fees (Student portal) • Cost of living (overview) • Cost of living (PDF)
- Housing Office (UZH/ETH) • WOKO student housing
- Master’s — how to apply • Master’s — application dates • Master’s — language requirements
- Facts & figures — students (2024)