ETH Zurich (with the ETH Foundation)
ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
ETH Zurich's scholarship for outstanding master's applicants, awarded for the full length of the programme. It is open to applicants of any nationality, and you apply for it inside the normal master's application in the November window. About 60 scholarships are expected for 2027/28.
Application round
The window for the autumn 2027 start runs from 1 to 30 November 2026. ETH gives the closing time as 11.59 MEZ (Central European Time), which is 17:59 in Thailand if read as 11:59 a.m., so submit well before the last day. Results come at the end of March 2027.
The IELTS requirement
ESOP has no English score of its own, but you apply for it as part of your master's application, and ETH requires proof of English at C1 level by the application deadline. IELTS is accepted and must be no more than two years old; applications with a missing or insufficient certificate are not evaluated at all. On the IELTS scale C1 starts at 7.0 overall, so treat 7.0 as your target and have the result before 30 November 2026. You are exempt if your bachelor's was taught entirely in English (confirmed by your university) or was from Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US.
Where is your IELTS score now?
Your university sets the IELTS score for this scholarship. Take the free level test to get an estimated band for each skill before you apply.
What it covers
- CHF 13,500 a semester for living and study expenses (from the autumn 2027 start)
- A tuition fee waiver
- Paid for the regular length of the master's, three or four semesters
- Mentoring and access to the ETH Foundation network
- Travel to Switzerland is not mentioned, so budget for it yourself
Who can apply
- Applying for an ETH master's programme starting in autumn 2027 (not an MAS)
- A very good bachelor's result: in the top 10% of your bachelor's programme
- Not already enrolled in an ETH master's, and not already holding a master's degree
- A pre-proposal for your master's thesis, written by you, plus two professors as references if your programme doesn't already ask for them
- Reachable by phone in February for a possible interview
Key facts
- Provider
- ETH Zurich (with the ETH Foundation)
- Where you study
- Switzerland
- Study level
- Master's
- Funding
- Partly funded
- Application round
- Opens November 1, 2026 · Closes November 30, 2026
Already know your score?
Build an IELTS plan for this scholarship
We've preselected 7.0, a typical requirement for this scholarship's courses. Check your own course and press Next to keep it, or choose a different score.
Step 1 of 6
What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
We checked these details against the provider's official page on November 1, 2026. Rules and dates change every round, so confirm them there before you apply.
Official pageOther scholarships
All scholarships →- Closing soonPartly funded
New Zealand · Master's
University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
25% off one year of tuition for new international master's students at the University of Auckland. Semester One 2027 offer holders are invited; forms due 4 November 2026.
- IELTS needed
- –
- Set by your university
- Applications
- Closes Nov 4, 2026
- Accepting applications
- Closing soonPartly funded
Canada · Bachelor's
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto)
Four years of tuition, books, fees and residence for about 37 international undergraduates at the University of Toronto. Your school nominates you; admission needs IELTS 6.5.
- IELTS needed
- –
- Set by your university
- Applications
- Closes Nov 6, 2026
- Accepting applications
- Closing soonPartly funded
Canada · Bachelor's
UBC International Scholars Program (University of British Columbia)
Need-based awards for international school leavers starting a first degree at UBC, including the Karen McKellin and Wehrung awards. Apply by 15 November; IELTS 6.5 by 31 January.
- IELTS needed
- –
- Set by your university
- Applications
- Closes Nov 15, 2026
- Accepting applications