The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) is a merit-based scholarship for exceptional students entering a regular Master’s programme at ETH Zurich.
The programme is designed for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance during their Bachelor’s studies. Successful scholars receive financial support covering study and living costs, a tuition-fee waiver, mentoring and access to the ETH Foundation network.
For the 2027/28 academic year, ETH Zurich expects to award approximately 60 ESOP scholarships, subject to available funding.
The opportunity is aimed at students with exceptional academic records who are applying for a regular Master’s programme at ETH Zurich.
Applicants are generally expected to have performed among the top 10% of their Bachelor’s cohort, although ETH Zurich describes this as a self-assessment rather than a fixed universal grade threshold.
Applicants must also satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen ETH Zurich Master’s programme.
There is no specific nationality restriction stated for the ESOP. The programme is open to eligible applicants from Switzerland and other countries, provided they meet ETH Zurich's academic and programme-specific requirements.
International applicants with a foreign Bachelor’s degree must apply during the November application window.
ESOP can support eligible students applying to regular ETH Zurich Master’s programmes across a wide range of disciplines, including:
Applicants should check the specific requirements for their intended programme because each Master's programme has its own academic profile.
Yes. Nigerian applicants can apply.
Yes, A Nigerian applicant with a recognised Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university can be considered for an ETH Zurich Master’s programme and ESOP, provided they satisfy the relevant academic, language and programme-specific requirements.
ETH Zurich states that international applicants need an undergraduate degree from a recognised university, normally equivalent to at least three years of full-time study or 180 ECTS credits.
Being Nigerian does not by itself guarantee eligibility or admission. The selection is highly competitive and focuses heavily on academic excellence.
Successful ESOP recipients can receive:
The scholarship is paid in instalments at the beginning of semesters after the required enrolment has been completed.
| 1 November 2026 | ESOP application window opens |
| 30 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET | ESOP application deadline |
| February 2027 | Interviews may take place for selected candidates |
| End of March 2027 | ESOP decisions expected |
| Autumn Semester 2027 | Successful applicants begin their Master’s programme |
ETH Zurich's official page confirms that the next ESOP application window is 1–30 November 2026 for students starting their Master’s programme in Autumn Semester 2027
Applicants should prepare the documents required for both the ETH Zurich Master’s application and the additional ESOP scholarship application.
These may include:
For ESOP, the Master’s thesis pre-proposal must be independently prepared and use an established academic citation style. ETH Zurich warns that plagiarism or false information can lead to exclusion from the selection process or withdrawal of the scholarship if discovered later.
Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
The process is highly competitive.
First, the applicant submits an application for an eligible ETH Zurich Master’s programme through eApply during the required application period. ESOP applicants must apply in the first application window.
The relevant Master’s programme's admissions committee evaluates the academic and programme-specific aspects of the application. For ESOP, the scholarship selection also considers outstanding academic performance and the additional scholarship materials.
ETH Zurich notes that the selection of ESOP recipients is made by the Rector based on recommendations from the relevant selection committees. For the 2027/28 intake, ETH Zurich states that approximately 60 ESOP scholarships are expected to be awarded, depending on available funding.
Selected applicants may also be invited to an interview, which can be conducted by video.
Step 1: Choose an eligible ETH Zurich Master’s programme and carefully review its admission requirements.
Step 2: Prepare your academic documents, CV, motivation letter and any programme-specific documents.
Step 3: Prepare the ESOP Master’s thesis pre-proposal and any additional scholarship documents required.
Step 4: Submit your Master’s and ESOP application online through ETH Zurich's eApply system during the November 2026 application window.
Step 5: Make sure the complete application is submitted before 30 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CET.
Step 6: Monitor your application and email for any request for further information or an interview.
Step 7: Successful candidates should receive the ESOP decision around the end of March 2027.
The ETH Zurich ESOP is particularly valuable for students who have an excellent academic record but may find the cost of studying in Switzerland difficult to manage.
Rather than providing only a tuition reduction, the programme combines financial support with mentoring and access to the ETH Foundation network. For a talented Nigerian graduate seeking an internationally respected STEM, technology, science, architecture or management education, this can provide an important route to studying at one of Europe's leading technical universities.
Yes. ESOP provides funding intended to cover the full study and living costs during the standard duration of the Master’s programme, together with mentoring and access to the ETH Foundation network.
ETH Zurich's published information currently states that the Excellence Scholarship provides CHF 12,000 per semester, together with a waiver of tuition fees. It is normally awarded for the standard duration of the Master's programme, which is generally three or four semesters depending on the programme.
Yes. Nigerian applicants can apply if they meet the academic and other requirements for their chosen ETH Zurich Master’s programme.
You apply for the Master’s programme and ESOP through the ETH Zurich application process. ESOP applicants must use the first application window.
For applicants seeking ESOP for Autumn Semester 2027, no. ESOP applications are accepted only during the first application window, which runs from 1–30 November 2026.
No. Students already enrolled in an ETH Master’s programme or applicants who already have a Master’s degree are not eligible for ESOP.
The scholarship normally lasts for the standard duration of the selected Master’s programme.
Selected applicants may be invited to an interview, including a possible video interview.
No. Being among the top 10% is an important indication of academic excellence, but the overall application and the competitiveness of the applicant pool matter.
ETH Zurich allows applicants to apply for up to two different degree programmes per semester, subject to its application rules.
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