ETH Zurich Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

 Requirements for undergraduate admission at ETH Zurich 

The cost of living in Switzerland is very high. You can gain an overview of the costs you are likely to incur by drawing up a personal budget.

Study and Living Costs for international students (in CHF/semester)

Tuition fee – 730

Other compulsory semester fees

academic sports association - 35

students association – 32

Total – 804

Individual living cost (per year in CHF) are as follows –

Rent – 10,200

Meals – 6720

Public transport – 570

Health insurance – 1320

Other activities – 1920

Total – 20,730

At the moment, ETH Zurich is home to almost 25,000 students from 120 different countries, 4, 561 of them are doctorate candidates. A total of 8,200 new students entered the system in 2022, 3,060 of them were enrolled in bachelor's degree programmes.

ETH Zurich is known for producing students that are exceptionally talented and driven. 35% of ETH's student body is international. Particularly at the Master's and doctoral levels, it seeks to draw the top talent from around the world. Admissions to the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science programmes in Engineering Sciences, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and System-oriented Natural Sciences are available at ETH Zurich.

Check below the ETH Zurich requirements for international students:

• Higher secondry certificate for bachelor's degree
• Bachelor's degree for graduate admission
• GPA (no minimum requirements)
• English language proficiency scores
• Additional test score of any GMAT/GRE (if required)
• Letters of reference
• Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement
• Resume or CV

Since all bachelor’s courses at ETH Zurich are offered in the German language, there is also an exception to the rule that the medium of instruction may be used in the English language from the second or the third year.  

Eligibility Requirements for Admission UG

The ETH Zurich requirements for international students to study bachelor's courses include assessing the student based on their first or native language, and second language knowledge plus performance in subjects of Mathematics, Natural sciences (biology, chemistry, or physics), or Humanities and social sciences (geography, history or economics/law). Applicants must have an elective subject like Computer Science. 

Eligibility Requirements  for PG

In order to apply for a master’s course at ETH Zurich, international students must have completed a bachelor’s degree of three years minimum. The bachelor’s degree must comprise of 180 ECTS credits or equivalent to ETH Zurich or 180 credits if completed from a Swiss University of Applied Sciences. 

The Master's programme in computer Science provides a comprehensive education in the fundamental fields of computer science.
Students can personalise their studies to match their specific interests, objectives, and goals thanks to the diverse course offerings and flexible structure.
There are five majors from which to pick. They serve as the foundation of the Master's programme, ensuring that students gain a thorough understanding of certain subjects and reach a high level of competency in their chosen field of study.
The following majors are available:
Systems for Data Management
Artificial Intelligence
Systems that are secure and dependable
Computing that is both visual and interactive
Computer Science Theory

The minimum scores required for international students applying for ETH Zurich admission are as follows: 

Prospective applicants applying for a master’s course at ETH Zurich may have to submit minimum scores other than the ones mentioned in the table above. The scores may vary based on the choice of course opted.  

Also, a couple of courses are instructed in the German language, thus, the language requirements would also differ here for international students, they may have to submit German language proficiency scores in this case.    

In terms of rankings, both universities are at par. As per world rankings, ETH Zurich and EFPL both achieve excellent rankings. ETH Zurich is ranked #7 in both the QS World University Rankings and the QS WUR Ranking by Subject. The QS WUR Rankings by Subject place EPFL at #10, whereas the overall world rankings place EPFL at #36. Despite this, degrees in computer Science and information technology are highly recognised at both universities.

You need to keep in mind the employment outcomes if you wish to work right after graduating. With regard to job outcomes, ETH Zurich and EPFL have radically different scores. In terms of job outcomes, ETH Zurich receives a moderate score of 79.1 out of 100 whereas EPFL receives a meagre 19.4 out of 100.

Both universities are famous educational institutions that offer top-notch courses in computer Science and information technology. High-quality, affordable degrees from ETH Zurich and EPFL can help you land a job in the future. In rankings, ETH Zurich does perform better in terms of job outcomes and provides a wider selection of master's degrees. However, EPFL provides a wider selection of scholarships that can aid prospective students and develop the upcoming generation of STEM specialists. 

ETH Zurich undergraduate admission requirements for international students

International students must meet certain requirements in order to enrol in bachelor's degree programmes at ETH Zurich, including proficiency in their first language, their second language, mathematics, the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, or physics), or the humanities and social sciences (geography, history, or economics/law). Candidates must have taken an elective in computer science. 

Documents Required 

• Copy of passport or identity card  
• Recognized upper secondary school-leaving certificate.  

• CV with tables including work experience and schools attended 
• Language proficiency scores in German 
• Official transcripts or mark sheets for the last three years of study 
• Application fee of CHP 150

Postgraduate Admission Requirements for ETH Zurich 
With the exception of a few programmes where teaching is given in German, all master's programmes at ETH Zurich are available in the English language.  

Requirements for Eligibility  
International students must have successfully completed a three-year minimum bachelor's degree in order to apply for a master's programme at ETH Zurich. 180 ECTS credits, or the equivalent of ETH Zurich, or 180 credits if earned from a Swiss University of Applied Sciences, must be completed for the bachelor's degree. 

Required Documents 
transcripts and a baccalaureate 
Valid Language Certificate Curriculum Vitae GRE Score  
A portfolio, motivation letter, and perhaps a letter of recommendation (LOR) are also required for design-related courses. 

ETH Zurich Application Process 
Applications for bachelor’s and master’s degrees at ETH Zurich are accepted through eApply, an online portal. Applicants can access the application on the website of ETH Zurich or on the designated course pages. The steps to apply at eApply for ETH Zurich admissions are as follows: 

Step 1: Registration 
To register, applicants will have to submit their: 

First and last name 
Email id 
Photograph 
Postal code 
Phone number  
Date of birth 
Step 2: Log in 
Upon registering, applicants will be able to log in with their selected credentials. After logging in the application would open up. 

Step 3: Personal Details & Course Selection 
Fill in the personal details and select the desired course of study. Submit the previous study’s scores and other relevant information. 

Step 4: Submit Relevant Documents 
To support the admission application at ETH Zurich, applicants will be given the option to attach their academic documents. 

Step 5: Pay the Fee 
Finally, after completing all the sections of the application, applicants can check their entered details, make changes if required, if not required then submit and pay the fee of CHP 150. 

The admission requirements are mentioned below:

• Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in computer Science or must have graduated with distinction from a related field such as electrical engineering, physics or mathematics. A strong background in both practical and theoretical topics in computer Science and mathematics is required. 

• TOEFL - Marks - 100/120
• IELTS - Marks - 7/9

The typical duration of a Graduate degree at the ETH Zurich is 18 months to two years. ETH Zurich is one of the top technological and scientific colleges in the world. We provide our students with a dynamic environment made up of individuals from more than 100 different countries. An outstanding GPA and a Bachelor's degree from an institution of higher learning that is recognised internationally are requirements for enrolling in graduate programmes at ETH Zurich. Students here actively pursue conversation with classmates and teachers, immerse themselves independently and wholeheartedly in their chosen disciplines, and value both academic and cultural diversity.

Some of the popular PG programmes at the ETH Zurich are Masters in Computer Science, MSc. in Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Electrical Engineering & IT, MSc Food Science, MSc in Material Science, Masters in Integrated Building systems.

ETH Zurich cost for Indian students is mentioned below with the tuition fee:

ETH Zurich, one of the best universities in the world, was established in 1855. A notable public research university with its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, is ETH Zurich. Since 2021, ETH Zurich has been included among the top institutions in the world by numerous international ranking sources, including THE (Times Higher Education), QS, US News & World Report, etc. These organisations frequently list it as one of Switzerland's best institutions.

ETH Zurich is ranked 11 among Best worldwide Universities by worldwide ranking partner THE (Times Higher Education) University Ranking, up from 15 in 2022. ETH Zurich is listed by QS as the seventh-best university in the world. Its QS ranking is in 2024, up from a score of 9 in 2023. ETH also ranks 29th according to yet another World University ranking 2023.

International students must have finished a bachelor's degree that was at least three years long to be eligible to apply for a master's programme at ETH Zurich. A Swiss University of Applied Sciences or 180 ECTS credits, equal to ETH Zurich, must be earned for the bachelor's degree. 

Documents Necessary 
- transcripts and a bachelor's degree 
- CV with a valid language certificate 

- GRE exam results  
- Additionally, a portfolio, motivation letter, and perhaps a letter of recommendation (LOR) are required for courses connected to design.

English Language Requirements 

The minimum scores required for international students applying for ETH Zurich admission are as follows -

TOEFL iBT - 100

IELTS - 7.0

C1 Advanced - Grade B: 193 minimum score

C2 Advanced  - Grade C - 200 min score 

Potential candidates who wish to apply for a master's programme at ETH Zurich may be required to provide minimum scores in addition to those listed in the preceding table. The choice of course used may have an impact on the scores.  

Additionally, a few courses are taught in German, therefore the language requirements for overseas students would also vary here; in this instance, they might be required to present German language competence scores.