Studying at ETH Zurich

In general you may come to ETH for one to two semesters, and it is possible to start in either the autumn or the spring semester.

Consult the study guides (mostly in English) of the ETH Zurich degree programmes. They explain what courses, projects and exams regular ETH students take and in which year.

Academic calendar and examination sessions

The semester dates and the dates of the examination sessions are published in the academic calendar.

Examinations

The session examinations at ETH Zurich are held during the semester break. Exchange students must also respect the official examination dates. Shifting of examinations requires official approval and is only granted in exceptional study-related cases, for instance if the semester at your home university commences during the examination session. This means that you should plan your exchange period to ensure your presence at ETH Zurich during the examination session.

The examinations are scheduled to take place:

Autumn semester 2011: 19 September - 23 December 2011

• End-of-semester examinations: 12 - 23 December 2011 and 09 - 20 January 2012
  
• Session examinations: 23 January - 17 February 2012
  

Spring semester 2012: 20 February - 01 June 2012

• End-of-semester examinations: 21 May - 15 June 2012
  
• Session examinations: 06 August - 31 August 2012
  

Autumn semester 2012: 17 September - 21 December 2012

• End-of-semester examinations: 10 - 21 December 2012 / 07- 18 January 2013
• Session examinations: 21 January - 15 February 2013
  

Spring semester 2013: 18 February - 31 May 2013

• End-of-semester examinations:  20 May - 14 June 2013
• Session examinations: 05 August - 30 August 2013

Please read the detailed information about examinations on the Rectorate website.

Preparing a study plan

The ETH course catalogue can be accessed online. Even if the programme for the upcoming semester is not yet available, it is generally similar to that of the previous year.

Please consult the course catalogue for specific course details, e.g. lecturers’ names, language of instruction, deadlines, course frequency and types of examinations.

Mobility and exchange students are expected to earn 20 ECTS per semester. They may select courses from different departments and different years of study if they wish. However, at least two thirds of courses must be selected from those offered by the department at which the student is registered, and two thirds of ECTS must also be acquired in that department. It is important that your study plan be coordinated well with the schedule at the home university.

Please also refer to these links:

• About courses offered at ETH Zurich
• Using the course catalogue

Language

The language of instruction at ETH Zurich is German and English. Information about the language of instruction of each course can be found in the course catalogue of ETH Zurich. An intensive course in advanced German is offered in the weeks prior to the beginning of each semester (three weeks before the autumn semester and two weeks before the spring semester). Beginners and advanced learners may enrol in courses at all levels of proficiency during the semester.

Exchange students may attend at least one language course free of charge. Pre-registration is required (please respect the deadlines).

All German courses are offered by the Language Center of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich. See the website of the Language Center.

Design studio for architecture students

Mobility and exchange students in architecture must enrol for design classes before the semester begins. You are advised to refer to the department's website for instructions.

Courses at the University of Zurich

It is possible to take courses at the University of Zurich. You have to apply online for „Studying at more than one university“
Please respect the application deadlines for the „Studying at more than one university“ as well as the deadlines for the booking of the modules at the University of Zurich. The deadlines vary with each faculty and module.
Courses taken at the University of Zurich have to be listed in your study plan and must be agreed on with your mobility advisor here at ETH Zurich.