ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)

ETH Zurich and ETH Foundation · Checked September 26, 2026

ETH Zurich's flagship Master's scholarship covering full study and living costs, plus mentoring and the ETH Foundation network. About 60 scholarships are planned for students starting in 2027-28. Applicants must be in the top 10% of their Bachelor's programme.

Deadline: 30 November 2026 64 days left
Application window 1-30 November 2026 (23:59 CET) for a start in autumn 2027; decisions end of March 2027.
Add the deadline to my calendar (with a reminder 2 weeks before)

Funding	Fully funded
Level	Master's
Study in	Switzerland
Subjects	All ETH Zurich Master's programmes (no MAS)

What it covers

Living and study grant of CHF 12,000 per semester (CHF 13,500 from autumn 2027 onwards)
Tuition fee waiver
Mentorship and ETH Foundation network

Who can apply

ESOP is open to applicants to an ETH Master's programme; the page sets no nationality restriction, so Pakistani graduates can apply.

You have a very good Bachelor's result: top 10% of your programme (self-assessed).
You apply in the first application window (November).
You are not already enrolled in, and do not already hold, a Master's degree at ETH Zurich.
You can be reached by phone/video for a possible interview in February.

The award lasts the regular length of the Master's (three or four semesters). Plagiarism or false information leads to exclusion.

How to apply

Apply for a Master's programme through ETH eApply during the first window.
Select ESOP in the same online application.
Upload the usual Master's admission documents plus a self-written pre-proposal for your Master's thesis (see ETH guidelines).
If your programme does not ask for references, name two professors who will upload letters.
Submit between 1 and 30 November 2026; decisions come at the end of March.

Documents you usually need

Master's application documents
Pre-proposal for the Master's thesis
CV with reachable phone number
Two reference letters from professors (if not already required)

Official page

Scholarship rules and deadlines change every cycle. This page summarises the official information; always confirm on the official page before applying. Official applications are free.

Welcome!