Swiss government scholarships

The Swiss government awards scholarships to foreign students through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).

For information about countries in which you can apply for a Swiss government scholarship as well as the application procedure, please visit their web page.
Please read as well the FAQs.

As a first step, contact the Swiss Embassy in your home country for an application form and information regarding the application deadline.

Studying at ETH Zurich

As a holder of a Swiss government scholarship you may choose one of the following options at ETH Zurich and enrol as a:

• Non-degree research student (visiting student)
• Master's student
• MAS student

Follow these instructions:

With your application to the Swiss embassy you must include a letter of acceptance from an ETH professor who is willing to act as your scientific supervisor during your study period at ETH.

Finding a supervisor

On the ETH website you will find a general outline of current research projects and, in particular, departmental projects in which you may be interested. Please also consult the ETH Research Database.
You should then contact a professor whose work lies within your own field of study, and discuss with him/her the project on which you would like to work at ETH Zurich. Remember to mention that you intend to apply for a Swiss government scholarship.

Your email enquiry should contain:

• a cv
• a letter of motivation
• 2-3 important reference letters
• your transcripts and certificates

The professor you contact will decide whether to accept or reject your application. If you receive a positive reply, you will need a letter of acceptance for the Swiss embassy. You may only register as a student at ETH Zurich once yourapplication has been accepted by the the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS).

Important

You can only be admitted at ETH Zurich as a non-degree research student if you hold a Master's degree or equivalent qualification upon commencement of the scholarship.

In this student category you will conduct research within a research group and have the possibility to enrol for individually selected courses/seminars or those recommended by your scientific supervisor. You will not be able to obtain a degree or a diploma from ETH Zurich.

Tuition fees at ETH Zurich are waived for Swiss government scholarship holders (CHF 580 a semester).

If you wish to take a Master's degree course at ETH Zurich you must apply to the Admissions office. See

• Information about Master's degree programmes at ETH Zurich
• How to apply for Master's degree courses
• Application periods

Applicants for a Swiss government scholarship must also apply for admission to a Master‘s programme directly at ETH Zurich and must follow the application instructions.

You need to use the international application period in autumne (starting November 1st) for your application for a Masters's programme, so that you may in the event of acceptance, send your letter of admission to the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students before they hold their selection meeting in April/May.

Important

• Tuition fees at ETH Zurich are waived for Swiss government scholarship holders (CHF 580 a semester).
• Scholarship holders must cover any additional course costs.
• If your application is not accepted for a Master’s programme at ETH, the Federal Commission will not consider your application for a government scholarship.
• Government scholarships are initially for 9 months. Depending on a student’s performance, an extension may be requested. There is, however, no guarantee that an extension will be granted.

If you wish to attend an MAS programme at ETH Zurich, you need to apply for admission at the Centre for Continuing Education.

• Information about MAS programmes

Applicants for a Swiss government scholarship must also apply for admission to a MAS programme directly at ETH Zurich and must follow the application instructions of the Center for Continuing Education.

Important

• Tuition fees at ETH Zurich are waived for Swiss government scholarship holders (CHF 580 a semester).
• Scholarship holders must cover any additional course costs.
  
• If your application is not accepted for a MAS programme at ETH, the Federal Commission will not consider your application for a government scholarship.
• Government scholarships are initially for 9 months. Depending on a student’s performance, an extension may be requested. There is, however, no guarantee that an extension will be granted.

Contact person at the ETH Student Exchange Office

Ms. Sandra Zweifel, telephone: +41 44 632 51 52, email: sandra.zweifel@rektorat.ethz.ch