Quick Eligibility Checker
Six published ESOP gates. This is a planning tool, not an official ETH decision.
1. Very good Bachelor result — top 10% of the programme = grade A, on your self-assessment?
2. You will apply in the first application window (1–30 Nov 2026 for HS27)?
3. You do not already hold a Master's degree?
4. You are not already enrolled in a Master's at ETH Zurich?
5. You are applying to a regular ETH Master's — not an MAS?
6. The phone number on your CV will reach you in February (or you will tell the programme coordinator)?
You match these published ESOP gates
Planning tool, not an official ETH decision. Continue to eApply or the combined tracker.
One or more official exclusions may apply
Confirm on the official ESOP page.
What ETH actually publishes
Source: Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme. ESOP is ETH's own Master's award. It is not ESKAS.
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Very good Bachelor result
ETH writes: top 10% of the Bachelor's degree programme = grade A. This is based on self-assessment. There is no separate ranking letter required on the ESOP page. Your transcript still has to support that claim.
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First window only
“For an ESOP Scholarship you must apply within the first application window.” For HS27 that is 1–30 November 2026. The dates page also lists ESOP as a reason the November window is mandatory — including for some Swiss-Bachelor holders who want ESOP.
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Already a Master's student — or already holding a Master's
If you are already enrolled in a Master's at ETH Zurich, or you hold a Master's degree, you are not eligible. That is a hard official line. Do not treat a second Master's as an ESOP route.
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Master's, not MAS
ETH supports excellent Master's students with ESOP and states “no MAS”. A Master of Advanced Studies is outside this award.
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ETH Bachelor consecutive Master's
Consecutive ETH Bachelor students also apply for ESOP via eApply. Only ETH Bachelor students may start ESOP with a leave of absence.
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February reachability
Selection may include a phone or video interview in February. Stay reachable on the telephone number in your CV. If you will not be available, inform the study programme coordinator.
Admission is a separate bar
ESOP sits on top of Master's admission. ETH's Master application page says admission is highly selective and looks at the requirement profile, undergraduate performance, university standing, tests where required, motivation, and recommendations. Meeting ESOP's top-10% self-assessment does not waive those programme profiles.
The official ESOP FAQ states that if you receive no ESOP nomination, admission to the Master's can still stand. See FAQ.