The Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme, usually called ESOP, is ETH Zurich's own merit scholarship for Master's students. It is fully funded: a tuition fee waiver plus a grant of CHF 12,000 per semester for living and study expenses, paid for the regular length of the Master's programme. On top of the money, scholars get mentorship from ETH faculty and access to the ETH Foundation network.
It is also one of the hardest scholarships in Europe to win. Roughly 60 awards are made each year, and the selection pool is every strong applicant to ETH's Master's programmes. If you are a Pakistani student near the very top of your Bachelor's class in engineering, science, architecture or a related field, it deserves a serious attempt. If you are not, this guide will help you decide quickly. You can also read the full scholarship details.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded: tuition fee waiver plus CHF 12,000 per semester |
| Level | Master's |
| Duration | Regular length of the Master's programme (three or four semesters) |
| Application window | November 1 to November 30, 2026 |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Provider | ETH Zurich |
| Awards per year | Approximately 60, subject to available funds |
| Official site | ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship page |
What CHF 12,000 per semester and a fee waiver add up to
ESOP has two financial parts. The first is a full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the Master's programme, so you do not pay ETH's semester fees. The second is a grant of CHF 12,000 per semester, meant for living and study expenses. ETH describes the package as covering the full cost of study and living for the regular duration of the degree.
The support runs for the regular duration of the Master's, which is typically three or four semesters depending on the programme. Check the length of your specific programme on the ETH website, because that decides how many semesters of grant you receive. Do not assume the scholarship continues if you take longer than the standard duration.
Zurich is an expensive city, so build a monthly budget from the semester grant before you rely on it, and confirm on the official ESOP page what the grant is expected to cover. The non-financial side matters too. Faculty mentorship and the ETH Foundation network are useful if you are aiming for research, a PhD or industry roles in Switzerland after graduation.
The top 10% rule and who should actually apply
The central requirement is academic rank. Applicants must have ranked in the top 10% of their Bachelor's degree programme, which ETH treats as equivalent to a grade A. This is based on a self-assessment of your academic performance, which means you state your own standing in the application.
Self-assessment does not mean you can be generous with yourself. Your claim has to be accurate and supported by your transcripts. For Pakistani students, this is where honesty pays. Universities here rarely publish class ranks, and CGPA scales differ between institutions. If your department can issue a letter confirming your position in the batch, that gives your self-assessment something concrete to stand on. If you are realistically outside the top 10%, ESOP is probably not your best use of effort, though you can still apply to the Master's itself.
The other eligibility conditions are strict and easy to check:
- You must not already hold a Master's degree.
- You must not be currently enrolled in a Master's programme at ETH Zurich.
- You must apply within the first application window for the Master's programme.
- You must be reachable by phone for a possible interview in February.
- You must submit a self-developed pre-proposal for your Master's thesis.
The source information for this scholarship does not name any nationality restrictions, but it also does not spell out which countries are eligible. Before you invest time, confirm on the official website that applicants with your nationality can apply.
Fields covered by ESOP
The scholarship is tied to ETH's Master's programmes across its departments: Architecture; Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering; Biology; Biosystems Science and Engineering; Chemistry and Applied Biosciences; Earth and Planetary Sciences; Humanities, Social and Political Sciences; Health Sciences and Technology; Computer Science; Information Technology and Electrical Engineering; Mathematics; Materials; Mechanical and Process Engineering; Management, Technology and Economics; Physics; and Environmental Systems Science. You apply for the scholarship as part of your application to a specific programme in one of these areas.
The thesis pre-proposal is where most applications are won or lost
ESOP has a short document list, and that is exactly why each item carries weight. You need:
- Your full Master's admission application documents.
- A pre-proposal for your Master's thesis.
- Two reference letters, if your study programme does not otherwise require references.
The pre-proposal must be self-developed. ETH expects you to follow established scientific citation practices strictly, and plagiarism is treated seriously. Do not copy a supervisor's project description, and do not paste in AI-generated text dressed up as your idea. A modest, well-reasoned proposal that clearly comes from your own reading is far better than an ambitious one you cannot defend in an interview.
A practical approach: read the research pages of two or three groups in your target department, find a question that connects to your Bachelor's project or work experience, and explain what you would investigate and why. Cite every source properly. Keep it specific to the programme you are applying to.
For the reference letters, choose people who know your academic work directly, such as your final-year project supervisor. The system sends your referees an email notification, so tell them in advance to expect it and to check their spam folder. Many Pakistani applicants lose time because a professor ignores an unfamiliar automated email. If you are also preparing transcripts and degree documents, our scholarship documents checklist is a useful starting point.
Applying through eApply in the November window
There is no separate scholarship portal. You apply for ESOP through eApply, the online Master application portal, at the same time as your Master's application. The steps are:
- Submit your Master's application through eApply during the first application window.
- Upload the pre-proposal for your Master's thesis.
- Make sure your two reference persons are ready to upload their letters when the system asks them.
- If contacted, take part in a phone or video conference interview in February.
- Receive the final decision by the end of March.
The application window for the 2026 cycle runs from November 1 to November 30, 2026. Because ESOP only accepts applications made in the first Master's window, missing November means missing the scholarship for that intake, even if the programme itself has a later round. Confirm the exact dates on the official portal before you plan around them.
Apply as early as you can within that window. Leaving it to the last few days gives you no room to fix upload problems or chase a slow referee.
From February interviews to the March decision
Selection is handled by the Admissions Committees of the individual Master's programmes, and the final decision rests with the Rector of ETH Zurich. Shortlisted candidates may be called for a phone or video conference interview in February. Decisions are communicated by the end of March.
The February interview is easy to miss for avoidable reasons. Keep the phone number in your CV current and include the country code. If you will be unavailable at any point in February, for exams, travel or anything else, tell your study programme coordinator in advance. Prepare to talk through your pre-proposal in detail, because that is the part of your file most likely to be questioned.
If you win, you will still need to sort out your Swiss student visa and proof of funds paperwork. Our guide to common student visa rejection reasons covers mistakes worth avoiding at that stage.
Mistakes that sink strong applicants
- Overstating class rank. If your transcripts do not support a top 10% claim, the committee will notice.
- Applying after the first window, which makes you ineligible for ESOP regardless of your profile.
- Submitting a generic pre-proposal that could fit any university, or one with weak citations.
- Not warning referees about the automated email, so letters arrive late or not at all.
- Giving an outdated phone number, or travelling in February without telling the programme coordinator.
- Applying while already holding a Master's degree. Students with a completed Master's are not eligible.
ESOP suits students with a clear academic record at the top of their class and a genuine research interest. It is less suited to someone who wants a taught Master's purely for career switching without a thesis idea. With about 60 awards a year, treat it as one strong option, and keep other applications running in parallel. Our all Switzerland scholarships guide lists other routes worth considering.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for ESOP if I already have a Master's degree?
No. The programme is only for students who do not yet hold a Master's degree. Students currently enrolled in a Master's at ETH Zurich are also not eligible.
How much money does the ETH Excellence Scholarship provide?
It gives a full tuition fee waiver and a grant of CHF 12,000 per semester for living and study expenses, for the regular duration of the Master's programme (three or four semesters).
How many ESOP scholarships are awarded each year?
Approximately 60 scholarships are awarded annually, depending on the availability of funds.
Do I need a separate application for the scholarship?
You apply through eApply, the same online portal used for the Master's application, during the first application window. You add the thesis pre-proposal and, if your programme does not already require them, two reference letters.
Is there an interview?
Possibly. Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for a phone or video conference interview in February. Final decisions are communicated by the end of March.
Can Pakistani students apply?
The information available does not list a nationality restriction, but it does not confirm eligible countries either. Check the official ESOP page to confirm that your nationality qualifies before you apply.
Before you start, read the latest rules and dates on the official ETH Zurich ESOP website, and keep our ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship page handy for a summary of the requirements.