ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 2026 , Switzerland (Fully Funded)
The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) is one of the most prestigious fully funded master’s scholarships in Europe, offered by ETH Zurich, Switzerland’s top-ranked university. Designed for outstanding international and domestic students, ESOP supports exceptional academic talent with full financial coverage, mentorship, and access to an elite academic network.
This scholarship is ideal for students aiming to pursue a Master’s degree (non-MAS) at ETH Zurich and become part of a globally recognized research and innovation ecosystem.
What Is the ETH Zurich ESOP?
The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) provides comprehensive financial and academic support to high-achieving Master’s students. Beyond funding, ESOP scholars benefit from mentoring opportunities and close connections with the ETH Foundation’s international network.
The scholarship covers both tuition fees and living expenses for the entire duration of the Master’s programme.
Degree Level
All ETH Zurich Master’s degree programmes (excluding MAS programmes)
Open to international and Swiss students
Consecutive Master’s programmes are included
Available Subjects
- All subjects
Benefits
Successful ESOP recipients receive:
CHF 12,000 per semester to cover living and study expenses
Full tuition fee waiver
Financial support for the entire standard duration of the Master’s programme (3 or 4 semesters)
Access to mentorship and networking opportunities through the ETH Foundation
Only ETH Bachelor graduates may begin ESOP with a formal leave of absence.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the ESOP scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Rank in the top 10% of their Bachelor’s degree programme (Grade A equivalent, self-assessed)
Hold a Bachelor’s degree or be in the final year of Bachelor studies
Be newly applying for a Master’s programme at ETH Zurich
Be available for potential phone or video interviews during the selection process
Not Eligible If:
You are already enrolled in a Master’s programme at ETH Zurich
You already hold a Master’s degree
Application Procedure
Application Window
Applications for ESOP must be submitted only during the first ETH Zurich Master’s application window.
Application period: 1 November – 30 November
Programme start: Autumn semester (HS) of the following academic year
Late or second-window applications are not eligible for ESOP consideration.
Required Application Documents
In addition to the standard ETH Zurich Master’s admission documents, ESOP applicants must submit:
Pre-proposal for the Master’s thesis (mandatory)
Two academic referees (professors) if references are not required by the study programme
The thesis pre-proposal must:
Be written independently by the applicant
Follow proper academic citation standards
Be original and plagiarism-free
Any form of plagiarism or misinformation leads to immediate disqualification or revocation of admission and scholarship.
Selection Process
Approximately 60 ESOP scholarships are awarded each year
Applications are evaluated by the Admissions Committees of individual Master’s programmes
Final approval is granted by the Rector of ETH Zurich
Scholarship decisions are communicated by end of March
The number of scholarships varies annually depending on available funding.
Why Choose ETH Zurich ESOP?
One of the most competitive fully funded Master’s scholarships in Europe
Study at a top 10 global university
Strong focus on academic excellence, leadership, and innovation
Long-term benefits through mentorship and elite networking
