ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP) 2027 — Fully Funded Master's in Switzerland
Fully funded Master scholarship in Switzerland for International students 2026
About 60 scholarships a year for outstanding Master's applicants at ETH Zurich, covering both living costs and tuition. Open to all nationalities; the application window is short and runs only once a year.
Eligibility
- Bachelor's degree result roughly in the top 10% of your programme (grade A, self-assessed)
- Applying for an eligible ETH Zurich Master's programme for autumn semester 2027
- Not already holding a Master's degree and not already enrolled in an ETH Zurich Master's programme
- A self-developed Master's thesis pre-proposal, plus two professor referees if your programme does not request references
- Application submitted within the 1-30 November 2026 window
ESOP is a scholarship, mentorship and network package for outstanding Master's students at ETH Zurich. It consists of a grant for living and study expenses of CHF 12,000 per semester, rising to CHF 13,500 per semester from the autumn semester 2027 onwards, plus a full tuition fee waiver, a mentor and access to the network of the ETH Foundation. Both the grant and the fee waiver run for the regular duration of the Master's programme, normally three or four semesters. Around 60 scholarships are awarded for 2027/28, subject to available funding.
You must be applying for an eligible ETH Zurich Master's degree programme starting in the autumn semester 2027. Your Bachelor's result should be roughly in the top 10 per cent of your programme, equivalent to a grade A, assessed by self-declaration at the time of application. You must not already hold a Master's degree and must not already be enrolled in an ETH Zurich Master's programme. You also need to submit a self-developed pre-proposal for your Master's thesis and, if your programme does not already require references, name two professors as referees. MAS (Master of Advanced Studies) programmes are not supported.
Applications are accepted only during the first Master's application window, from 1 November to 30 November 2026, 11:59 MEZ. There is no separate scholarship form: you request ESOP inside your normal online Master's admission application through eApply. Keep the telephone number on your CV active, because selection may include a phone or video interview in February. Decisions are communicated by the end of March 2027.
ESOP is not available in the spring semester window, so a November application is the only route in.
https://ethz.ch/students/en/studies/financial/scholarships/excellencescholarship.html
Talk to an OEAC advisor before you apply — we help students prepare documents, statements and applications.
Always confirm the deadline and eligibility on the official page before you apply. Scholarship dates change between rounds, and this listing is a summary — the provider's own page is the authoritative source. OEAC Network lists scholarships for free and is not an agent for any university or funding body.
