The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) 2027/28 is a highly competitive scholarship for outstanding students applying to master’s programmes at ETH Zurich in Switzerland.
For students beginning in the 2027/28 academic year, ETH Zurich states that the ESOP scholarship provides CHF 13,500 per semester toward living and study costs together with a tuition fee waiver.
What the ESOP scholarship covers
The scholarship includes:
- CHF 13,500 per semester toward study and living expenses from the 2027 intake onward.
- A tuition fee waiver.
- Funding for the regular duration of the master’s programme, normally three or four semesters depending on the degree.
ETH Zurich expects to award approximately 60 ESOP scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year, although the final number depends on available funds.
Who can apply?
ESOP is intended for students with excellent academic performance who are applying to an eligible ETH Zurich master’s programme. Applicants who are already enrolled in an ETH master’s programme or who already hold a master’s degree are not eligible under the published rules.
International applicants with bachelor’s degrees from outside Switzerland must use the first master’s application window.
2027/28 application period
The application window for international bachelor’s degree holders and ESOP applicants is:
1 November to 30 November 2026
ETH Zurich lists the closing time as 30 November 2026 in Central European Time. Applicants should avoid submitting on the final day because the application requires several documents and reference arrangements.
Additional ESOP requirement: master’s thesis pre-proposal
In addition to the normal master’s admission documents, ESOP applicants must submit a pre-proposal for their master’s thesis. ETH Zurich provides specific guidelines for this document.
The pre-proposal must be the applicant’s own work and should use proper academic citation. ETH Zurich explicitly warns that plagiarism or false information can lead to exclusion from the application process or withdrawal of an award.
References
If the chosen master’s programme does not normally require reference letters, ESOP applicants must still nominate two academic reference persons, typically professors, who can provide letters through the online system.
Choose referees who know your academic work directly. A senior professor who barely knows you may provide a weaker letter than a lecturer or supervisor who can discuss your research ability, independence and academic potential in detail.
How to make the thesis pre-proposal stronger
The pre-proposal should demonstrate the ability to think independently about a research problem. A useful structure is:
- Research problem or question.
- Why the topic matters.
- Short review of relevant literature.
- Proposed method or analytical approach.
- Expected contribution.
- References.
Avoid writing a broad personal essay. The document should show academic thinking and research potential rather than simply explaining why you want a scholarship.
Selection process
Applications are first evaluated through the relevant master’s programme admissions process. Final ESOP scholarship decisions are made by ETH Zurich, with outcomes for the 2027 cycle expected by the end of March 2027.
Because the award is highly selective, admission to an ETH master’s programme does not guarantee an ESOP scholarship.
Documents to prepare
Requirements vary by programme, but international applicants commonly need:
- Academic transcripts.
- Degree records or proof of current study.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Motivation letter where required.
- English-language evidence where applicable.
- Academic references.
- The ESOP master’s thesis pre-proposal.
Some programmes may also recommend or require additional tests such as the GRE, so applicants should read the specific master’s programme page rather than relying only on general scholarship guidance.
Application strategy
Start with programme fit. ESOP is tied to ETH master’s admission, so a candidate should first identify a programme that genuinely matches their academic preparation. Review prerequisites carefully because strong grades alone will not overcome missing subject requirements.
Applicants should also prepare the thesis pre-proposal early enough to receive academic feedback before submission. While the proposal must remain the applicant’s own work, feedback on clarity, scope and research feasibility can improve the final document.
Official source
Applicants should verify all conditions through the official ETH Zurich ESOP scholarship page and the university’s master’s admissions pages.
JobScholarship.com guidance: The November window is short. Prepare transcripts, referees and the research pre-proposal before applications open rather than starting everything on 1 November.