OpenFieldETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
ETH Zurich's premier merit fellowship awarded to exceptional incoming Master's candidates, providing CHF 24,000 per year for living expenses, complete tuition coverage, and access to the ETH Zurich Foundation network.
Application checklist & requirements
These requirements reflect published university guidelines available at the last review. Review official department guidelines before submission.
- Academic degree / Prerequisites
- Graduation in the top 10% of undergraduate Bachelor's degree class (grade A equivalent).
- English language proficiency
- C1 level English: Academic IELTS 7.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 100.
- Standardized testing (GRE/GMAT)
- Not compulsory; GRE revised General Test recommended for non-Bologna engineering degrees.
- Thesis / Research statement
- Independent Master's thesis pre-proposal (1–2 pages) outlining a scientific research question and methodology.
- Recommendation letters
- Two academic letters of recommendation from university professors, official transcripts, and CV.
How much will it cost? How much funding is available?
- Financial support / stipend
- Fully funded: CHF 12,000 per semester (CHF 24,000 per year) living stipend plus 100% full tuition fee waiver and dedicated mentorship network
- Application fee
- CHF 150 application fee for international credentials (waived for holders of Swiss degrees)
- Tuition / joining costs
- Full tuition completely waived for regular duration of Master's program (3 to 4 semesters).
Dates and verification
- Application deadline
- November 30, 2026 at 11:59 AM CET (Strict annual deadline for Autumn Master's entry)
- Last source review
- 2026-10-14
Important verification note
Facts reflect official ETH Zurich documentation reviewed 2026-10-14. Admissions, funding allocations, and eligibility thresholds are evaluated by the university.
Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Editorial standards · Report an issue