Prerequisites and preparations
Here you will find the prerequisites of the Student Exchange Office for exchange studies. This page also explains what is necessary for successful preparation and what you should pay attention to during and after the exchange.
Bachelor
- successfully completed 2nd year of study at the start of the exchange programme
- passed first-year examinations ("Basisprüfung") with minimum average grades of 4.50 at the time of application
Students who did not achieve this grade may still qualify for the exchange if they achieve a grade average of 4.50 or higher in higher semesters of the Bachelor’s programme. The credit-weighted average grade applies, including the calculated results of all performance assessments (including the “Basisprüfung” and those without category) at the time of application and as stated on your official transcript of records. If you have any questions, contact the departmental exchange coordinator in your department.
Some departments and some worldwide partner universities require a higher grade point average.
Master
Master's degree students must be passed the first-?year examinations with a minimum average grade of 4.50 or a Bachelor's degree with the minimum average grade of 4.50 is required.
Students who did not achieve this grade may still qualify for the exchange if they achieve a grade of 4.5 or higher in higher semesters of the Master’s programme. The credit-?weighted average grade, including the calculated results of all performance assessments, applies and at least 20 credits must have already been acquired in the Master’s degree programme. If you have any questions, contact the departmental exchange coordinator in your department.
Some departments and some worldwide partner universities require a higher grade point average.
- Master's degree students must hold a Bachelor's degree from ETH. Departments may make exceptions for Bachelor's degrees from EPFL or the University of Zurich.
- Conducting a Master's thesis abroad is another possible exception: Depending on the department, this is possible without a Bachelor's degree from ETH.
- Consult your department on this early in the process.
- Average grade: see above
The departments are responsible for the recognition of academic attainments abroad. Before the exchange, you must draw up a study plan and get it approved by your departmental exchange coordinator.
- The majority of the academic achievements attained during the exchange should be recognised for your studies at ETH.
- It is your responsibility to check and comply with the applicable requirements and restrictions of the host university regarding course selection early on and to submit a realistic study plan to your departmental exchange coordinator.
- The study plan should be designed to fully or mostly cover courses missed at ETH. The workload should correspond to at least 20 ECTS credits per semester. If the host university stipulates a higher workload, the higher workload applies.
- Before you apply, check with your departmental exchange coordinator before applying what can be credited to you and with how many ECTS (conversion of the credit points of the host university into ECTS). If you are applying for a worldwide exchange, discuss the conversion of the host university’s credits into ECTS credits. If the conversion will be undertaken in collaboration with professors / tutors find out who in the department will make the final decision. Note any rules of the partner university concerning exchange students' minimum or maximum attendance of classes.
- In principle, the permitted duration of studies cannot be extended due to exchange studies. However, it is possible that you cannot earn 30 credits during your exchange and will have to adjust the planning of your ETH studies accordingly to earn more credits in other semesters.
Requirements
Many partner universities require proof of language qualifications. Visit the websites of the respective programmes or partner universities to find out which language skills and certificates you will need.
Support
- Many partner universities run intensive language courses in the weeks before the semester begins.
- The Language Center of the University of Zurich and ETH offers preparatory and language courses for a fee. Autonomous learning is supported in many ways.
Inform yourself independently about the application process, your desired program's application deadline, and any earlier deadlines in your department ("interne Vorauswahl"). In any case, you need the approval of your department before applying.
- You can get academic advice from your departmental exchange coordinator. Remember: You need their approval for an exchange (before applying on Mobility-Online). You may have to take part in an internal pre-selection. Ask your departmental exchange coordinator about the relevant procedures in good time.
- If you are planning a change of department, ask the Student Exchange Office and the departmental exchange coordinators about the effects on your exchange.
You can view the application for an exchange as a learning process and location determination with three phases: decision-making, application, after the exchange.
The next point explains how to choose the right partner university for you.
- If you wish to attend "science in perspective" courses (previously "D-?GESS courses") at the partner university and have them recognised for credit at ETH, you must obtain – well in advance – the permission of your degree programme’s Director of Studies and that of the teaching commission of the respective GESS subject. No more than 3 CPs will be credited.
- Contact the Study Administration Office of D-?GESS and provide the following information: host university, subject and content of the course(s), hours per week, type of transcript to record.
Depending on the host university's academic calendar, there might be time conflicts with your ETH examinations. You may have to take written session examinations in the session after your return from your exchange. Consider the consequences when planning your exchange and discuss them with your departmental exchange coordinator.
You can make your travel environmentally friendly, especially within Europe. Most European destinations are accessible by train. By the way, for European exchange destinations, you can apply for an environmentally friendly travel top-up if you travel to and from the destination by train or bus (or ferry).
The Green Erasmus portal offers helpful tips for mobility students.
ETH is committed to sustainability. Your guest institution may provide similar initiatives and information.
Contact your host university early for information on support options and procedures. This is particularly important concerning study conditions, examination arrangements, and housing.
Swiss-?European Mobility Programme (SEMP)
Participants with special needs can apply to Movetia through their university for additional financial means to cover part of any additional costs that may arise during their exchange studies due to their impairment. Contact the Student Exchange Office at least four months before your exchange when you would like to submit a corresponding application.