ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship
ETH Zurich · All India
| Scheme Name | ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship |
| Provided By | ETH Zurich |
| Eligibility Summary | Masters · No income limit |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹28.3 Lakh+
The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) provides a scholarship covering living and study expenses of CHF 13,500 per semester, starting from the Fall Semester (HS27) onwards, along with a full tuition fee waiver. The scholarship is awarded for the regular duration of the Master's programme (three or four semesters). The grant is paid out in three or four installments, typically at the beginning of each semester, to the scholar's personal bank or post office account in Switzerland. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not applicable as this is an international scholarship disbursed in Switzerland. Based on a CHF to INR exchange rate of approximately 115.93 (as of September 27, 2026), the annual amount is approximately 3,130,110 INR (2 semesters x CHF 13,500 = CHF 27,000 annually).
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Academic Excellence:Applicants must have a very good result in their Bachelor's degree programme, belonging to the top 10% of their cohort (equivalent to a Grade A or a GPA of 8.8/10 or higher for Indian students).
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Degree Level:Open to students wishing to pursue a Master's degree at ETH Zurich.
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Prior Enrollment:Not eligible if already enrolled in a Master's degree programme at ETH Zurich or if holding a Master's degree. MAS (continuing-education) programmes are also excluded.
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Nationality:Open to excellent students from ETH and other universities, both national and international (open to applicants worldwide).
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Reachability:Applicants must ensure they are reachable via the telephone number specified in their CV, as the selection process may include a phone/video call interview in February.
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Application Window:Must apply within the first application window for the chosen Master's programme.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Masters |
| Course / Stream | Masters |
| Minimum Marks | 90% |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Application form (same for both ESOP and Master Scholarship Programme)
- ✓Letter of motivation
- ✓Pre-proposal for Master's thesis (following specific guidelines, must be self-developed and use established scientific citation practice)
- ✓Letters of recommendation from two professors (if the study program does not ask for references for Master's admission)
- ✓Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a reachable phone number
- ✓All other documents required for regular Master's admission (e.g., academic transcripts, degree certificates, English proficiency certificate if applicable)
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected based on a competitive process that primarily evaluates academic excellence and overall potential
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Applicants must demonstrate a very good result in their Bachelor's degree program, typically belonging to the top 10% of their class (equivalent to Grade A)
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The selection involves an evaluation by the Admissions Committees of the respective Master's programs
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The final decision for awarding scholarships rests with the Rector of ETH Zurich
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Approximately 60 ESOP scholarships are assigned for the academic year 2027/28
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Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a phone or video conference interview in February
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Required documents include academic transcripts, degree certificates, CV, a letter of motivation, a pre-proposal for the Master's thesis, and two reference letters from professors.
Renewal Policy
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The ESOP scholarship is awarded for the entire standard duration of the chosen Master's program (three or four semesters)
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There are no specific annual renewal conditions beyond maintaining satisfactory academic progress in the program
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However, the grant may be suspended during exchange semesters (though tuition fees continue to be waived) or during compulsory internships lasting at least 10 weeks
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Completion of semester enrollment is required to receive payments.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Check Eligibility
Ensure you meet the stringent academic requirements, particularly having a Bachelor's degree result in the top 10% of your class. You must be applying for an eligible Master's degree at ETH Zurich and not already be enrolled in a Master's program at ETH or hold a Master's degree.
- 2Prepare Application Documents
Gather all necessary documents for Master's admission, along with scholarship-specific materials. These typically include: * Academic transcripts and degree certificates. * Curriculum Vitae (CV), ensuring your phone number is correct for potential interviews. * Letter of Motivation. * Pre-proposal for your Master's thesis (following specific guidelines provided by ETH Zurich). * Two reference letters from professors. If your study program does not typically require references, you must still provide two for the ESOP application. * Language certificate and copy of your passport.
- 3Apply Online via eApply
Submit your application through the ETH Zurich online application portal, eApply. Ensure all Master's admission documents and the additional scholarship materials are uploaded within the application window (November 1 - November 30 for HS27 intake).
- 4Interview (if selected)
Be available for a potential phone or video conference interview in February, as this is part of the selection process.
- 5Await Decision
Scholarship decisions are typically communicated by the end of March. You will be notified of the outcome via the application portal or email.
- 6Status Tracking
While a direct 'status tracking guide' for the scholarship is not explicitly detailed, your application status for Master's admission and scholarship consideration will generally be updated through the eApply portal.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the minimum academic requirement to be eligible for the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship?
Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic performance in their Bachelor's degree program. This typically means being among the top 10% of their class, often referred to as achieving a 'Grade A'.
How and when is the scholarship amount disbursed to students?
The scholarship funds are disbursed in three or four installments, corresponding to the semesters of the Master's program. Each installment is issued at the beginning of the semester, directly to a personal bank or post office account in Switzerland, provided the student has completed their semester enrollment.
Are there specific documents required for the scholarship application in addition to the Master's admission documents?
Yes, in addition to the standard Master's admission documents, applicants for the ESOP must submit a pre-proposal for their Master's thesis and two letters of recommendation from professors. A letter of motivation and an updated CV are also crucial.
Plan your study abroad
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Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official ETH Zurich website before final submission.