Join Engineering in ETH Zurich for Indian Students

Joining ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), one of the top universities in the world for engineering, as an Indian student requires an understanding of the application process, tuition fees, accommodation options, scholarships, and other essential details. Below is a comprehensive guide for Indian students interested in pursuing engineering at ETH Zurich:

1. Programs Offered at ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich offers a wide range of Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. programs in engineering and related fields:

Bachelor’s Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering

Master’s Programs:

• Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
• Master of Science in Civil Engineering
• Master of Science in Computer Science
• Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering
• Master of Science in Environmental Engineering
• Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Ph.D. Programs:

ETH Zurich offers various Ph.D. programs in engineering disciplines, with a strong emphasis on research and innovation.

2. Admission Requirements

Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Admission:

ETH Zurich has stringent requirements for international applicants, especially for bachelor’s programs.

• Academic Qualifications:

  • Indian students must have completed the Indian School Certificate (ISC) or CBSE Class 12 with high marks in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
  • A good overall percentage (90% or higher) is typically required.
  • Applicants may be required to pass an entrance exam as ETH Zurich generally admits students from non-Swiss systems only through this route.

• Language Proficiency:

  • Since bachelor’s programs at ETH Zurich are taught in German, proficiency in German (C1 level) is required. Students need to demonstrate this through recognized exams such as TestDaF or Goethe-Zertifikat.
  • Students can apply for a preparatory German course in Zurich if they don't have proficiency yet.

Graduate (Master’s) Admission:

ETH Zurich is more accessible for international students at the master’s level, and most master’s programs are offered in English.

• Bachelor’s Degree: Applicants must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field with excellent academic results.
• GRE Scores: While not mandatory for all programs, some departments may require GRE scores.
• Language Proficiency:
  • For programs taught in English, applicants must submit proof of English proficiency, such as:
    • TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 100.
    • IELTS Academic with a minimum score of 7.0.
  • For German-taught programs, students need C1 proficiency in German.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Recommendation Letters: These documents play an important role in demonstrating your academic background, research interests, and motivation.

Ph.D. Admission:

• Master’s Degree: A Master’s degree from a recognized university is required.
• Research Proposal: Applicants are required to submit a research proposal and have a faculty member at ETH Zurich agree to supervise their Ph.D. project.
• GRE Scores: May be required by some departments.
• Language Requirements: Depending on the program and supervisor, knowledge of either English or German is required.

3. Application Process

Bachelor’s Programs:

• Application Portal: Applications are submitted online through the ETH Zurich eApply platform.
• Application Deadlines: Applications for the autumn semester generally open in November and close by April 30.
• Entrance Exam: International students may be required to pass an entrance exam, which tests knowledge in subjects like mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Master’s Programs:

• Application Portal: Applications are also submitted through the ETH Zurich eApply platform.
• Application Deadlines:
  • 1st Round: November 1 - December 15 (for autumn intake, recommended for international students).
  • 2nd Round: March 1 - March 31 (for autumn intake).
• Required Documents:
  • Bachelor's degree transcripts.
  • English or German proficiency test results.
  • Letters of recommendation.
  • Statement of purpose.
  • CV/Resume.

Ph.D. Programs:

• Application Process: Ph.D. applicants should first find a potential supervisor and discuss their research project. Once confirmed, the formal application process can be initiated through the department.

4. Fees

Tuition Fees:

• Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs:
  • ETH Zurich has relatively low tuition fees compared to other top universities, even for international students.
  • The tuition fee is CHF 730 per semester (approximately INR 66,000 per semester).
• Ph.D. Programs:
  • Ph.D. students at ETH Zurich do not pay tuition fees but are usually employed as research assistants with a monthly salary.

Other Fees:

• Compulsory semester fees: Additional fees for student services and insurance are around CHF 150 per semester.

Living Expenses:

Living in Zurich can be expensive. Students should budget for around CHF 1,500 to CHF 2,500 per month (INR 1.3 lakh to INR 2.2 lakh) for rent, food, transportation, and personal expenses.

5. Accommodation

ETH Zurich does not provide on-campus accommodation, but it helps students find housing through various resources.

Student Housing Options:

• ETH Housing Office: ETH Zurich provides support through its housing office to help students find affordable accommodation.
• Student Dormitories: Rent for shared dormitories typically ranges from CHF 450 to CHF 900 per month.
• Private Accommodation: Renting private apartments is more expensive, with rent averaging between CHF 900 and CHF 1,800 per month depending on the location and size.

Finding Accommodation:

• Websites like Woko and HousingAnywhere are useful for finding student housing.
• It’s important to start looking for accommodation as early as possible due to high demand in Zurich.

6. Scholarships

ETH Zurich offers various scholarships for international students to help with tuition fees and living expenses.

ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Program (ESOP):

• This is a highly competitive scholarship for international students applying for a master’s program.
• It covers full tuition fees and provides a generous living allowance of CHF 12,000 per semester.

ETH-D Scholarship:

• This scholarship offers partial funding, with a contribution from both ETH Zurich and external sponsors.
• It provides CHF 7,500 per semester and also includes a waiver of tuition fees.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships:

• Offered by the Swiss government to highly qualified international postgraduate students.
• This scholarship covers tuition fees, provides a monthly stipend, and covers health insurance.

Other External Scholarships:

• Indian students can also apply for scholarships such as DAAD Scholarships, Inlaks Scholarships, and J. N. Tata Endowment for international study.

7. Student Visa and Residence Permit

After receiving admission, Indian students must apply for a student visa and a residence permit.

• Visa Application: Students must apply for a Type D Visa at the nearest Swiss embassy or consulate.
  • Documents required include:
    • Offer letter from ETH Zurich.
    • Proof of sufficient financial means to cover living expenses (around CHF 21,000 for a year).
    • Proof of accommodation.
    • Passport and passport-sized photos.
    • Completed visa application form.
• Residence Permit: After arriving in Zurich, students must register with the local authorities and apply for a residence permit within 14 days of arrival.

8. Work Opportunities

• During Studies: International students are allowed to work part-time for up to 15 hours per week during the semester and full-time during holidays, but a work permit is required.
• After Graduation: Switzerland has a growing engineering sector, and ETH Zurich graduates are highly sought after by employers. Students can apply for a 6-month job-seeking visa after graduation.

9. Application Timeline

• Bachelor’s Programs: Apply between November and April of the previous year for the autumn intake.
• Master’s Programs: First round applications (recommended for international students) open in November and close in December for the following academic year.
• Ph.D. Programs: Applications are typically accepted year-round, depending on the availability of a supervisor.

10. Other Considerations

• Language: For bachelor's programs, proficiency in German is required. Most master's programs are taught in English.
• Research Opportunities: ETH Zurich has strong ties with industry and offers excellent research opportunities, particularly in collaboration with Swiss and international companies.

If you need any further assistance with specific details like visa application procedures, scholarship deadlines, or program specifics, feel free to ask!