Home › Colleges › Switzerland › ETH Zurich
27%
Acceptance rate
~$2k
Tuition / yr
7
IELTS required
40%
Intl students
1855
Founded
#7
QS World rank
Continental Europe's #1 for science & tech; near-free tuition. This guide covers ETH Zurich's courses, fees, English & academic requirements, scholarships, the step-by-step admission process, student-visa and post-study-work rules, and tips to get in — everything in one place.
▶ Predict my admission chances (free)📚 Courses & programs at ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is best known for Computer Science, Engineering, Robotics. Popular programs for international students include:
- MSc Computer Science
- MSc Data Science
- MSc Electrical Eng
- MSc Robotics
- MSc Mechanical Eng
Class profile: Highly competitive; strong quant background expected. Notable alumni: Albert Einstein, 20+ Nobel laureates.
✅ Entry requirements
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 |
| TOEFL iBT | 100 |
| PTE Academic | 68 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
| GRE | Not required (most programs) |
| GMAT (MBA) | N/A |
| Min GPA / grade | 3.5/4.0 |
| Work experience | Not required |
💡
Below the English score? Don't pay to find out — take a free full-length IELTS mock (or PTE / TOEFL) and see your gap instantly. Full breakdown: IELTS score for ETH Zurich.
💰 Fees & cost of studying
| Tuition (international) | ≈ CHF 1,460/yr (very low) |
| Application fee | CHF 150 |
| Living costs (est.) | CHF 22,000–27,000/yr (high cost of living) |
| Scholarships | ETH Excellence Scholarship (ESOP) — full funding |
Plan your budget for tuition + living + health insurance + the visa fee. Compare funding with the free scholarship finder.
📝 Step-by-step admission process
📄 Documents checklist
- Transcripts
- SOP / Motivation letter
- LORs
- CV
- IELTS / TOEFL
- Proof of funds (~CHF 21,000/yr)
- Admission letter
- Passport
🛂 Student visa & post-study work · Switzerland
- Student visa: National (D) visa + residence permit
- Work while studying: ≈15 hrs/week during term (from 6 months in)
- Post-study work: 6-month permit to seek work after graduation
🎯 Tips & tricks to get admission
- Beat the bar. With about 27% acceptance, aim above the minimums — target IELTS 7.5+ and a strong GPA, and lead with research, projects or publications.
- Write a tailored SOP. Name the exact program and 1–2 professors/labs at ETH Zurich and connect your background to them — generic essays are the #1 reason strong profiles get rejected.
- Hit the English score first. ETH Zurich needs IELTS 7 / TOEFL 100 / PTE 68. Take a free full-length mock to find your weakest section before you book the real test.
- Prepare finances early. Budget for tuition (≈ CHF 1,460/yr (very low)) plus living costs (CHF 22,000–27,000/yr (high cost of living)); visa officers want clear, stable proof of funds.
- Apply in the right intake. ETH Zurich's main intakes are Fall (Sep) & Spring (Feb) — applying 4–6 months ahead keeps scholarships and on-campus housing open.
📅 Intakes & deadlines
| Intakes | Fall (Sep), Spring (Feb) |
| Typical deadline | Dec 15 (Fall) |
| Acceptance rate | 27% (competitive) |
All figures are indicative and change year to year — always confirm on the official site (ethz.ch) before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score do I need for ETH Zurich?
- ETH Zurich typically requires IELTS 7 (TOEFL 100, PTE 68). GRE: Not required (most programs).
- How much does ETH Zurich cost?
- International tuition is approximately ≈ CHF 1,460/yr (very low), plus living costs of CHF 22,000–27,000/yr (high cost of living). Application fee: CHF 150.
- What is the acceptance rate at ETH Zurich?
- ETH Zurich has an indicative acceptance rate of about 27% (Highly competitive; strong quant background expected).
- What are the intakes and deadlines at ETH Zurich?
- Intakes: Fall (Sep), Spring (Feb). Typical deadline: Dec 15 (Fall).
- Is ETH Zurich hard to get into?
- ETH Zurich is competitive, with an indicative acceptance rate of about 27%. Aim above the minimum scores and build a standout profile.
- Does ETH Zurich require GRE or GMAT?
- GRE: Not required (most programs). GMAT (for MBA): N/A. Always confirm the exact policy for your specific program on the official site.
- Can I work after studying at ETH Zurich?
- 6-month permit to seek work after graduation (Switzerland). You can typically also work part-time while studying: ≈15 hrs/week during term (from 6 months in).
- What documents do I need to apply to ETH Zurich?
- Typically: Transcripts, SOP / Motivation letter, LORs, CV, IELTS / TOEFL, Proof of funds (~CHF 21,000/yr), Admission letter, Passport. Check program-specific requirements before applying.