
ETH Zurich is a popular choice for international students seeking a PhD due to its reputation, research areas, and facilities. The application process can be competitive and selective, and it is important to note that, unlike many other universities, ETH Zurich does not organise its doctorate through an overarching doctoral school. Instead, each potential doctoral thesis supervisor recruits their doctoral students individually. To apply, students must find a professor at ETH Zurich who is willing to supervise their dissertation and offer them a doctoral position. While GPA is important, publications and research experience are considered more vital during the application process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Doctoral study programme | ETH Zurich does not organise doctorates within an overall doctoral study programme. |
| Individual doctoral programmes | There are 16 highly competitive doctoral programmes run jointly by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. |
| Requirements | You must find a professor at ETH Zurich who will offer you a doctoral position. |
| Registration | It is only possible to register for a doctorate once you have found a doctoral position, completed the Master's programme, and all necessary performance assessments have been verified. |
| Application process | The best way to apply is to contact the professorship you are interested in directly. Visit the website of the department and contact professors directly. |
| GPA | GPA is important, but publications and research experience are considered more vital. |
| Master's degree | A Master's degree in the field of natural sciences, computer sciences, or engineering is required. |
| Language skills | Good spoken and written English skills are necessary. |
| Funding | Funded positions are open to both national and international (including non-EU) students. |
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What You'll Learn
- Admission requirements: Find a professor at ETH Zurich who will offer you a position
- Individual doctorates: Each supervisor recruits their own doctoral students
- Master's degree: You must hold or anticipate receiving a university Master's degree
- Grades: GPAs are important, but research experience and publications are more so
- Application process: Contact the professor you are considering directly

Admission requirements: Find a professor at ETH Zurich who will offer you a position
To be admitted to a PhD programme at ETH Zurich, you must find a professor at the institution who is willing to supervise your dissertation. The doctoral administration does not arrange positions or mediate between candidates and supervisors, so it is up to you to find a professor who is interested in your proposed research area and willing to take you on as a doctoral student.
The best way to do this is to identify a department that interests you and contact professors within that department directly. Visit the website of the department where you would like to do your doctorate and reach out to professors whose work aligns with your research interests.
It is worth noting that, unlike at many other universities, ETH Zurich does not organise doctorates through an overarching doctoral school. Instead, it primarily offers individual doctorates, and each doctoral student has the freedom to select and assemble the components of their doctoral studies.
However, there are some doctoral programmes available at ETH Zurich, such as the Life Science Zurich Graduate School, which is run jointly with the University of Zurich. These programmes may have specific admission requirements, such as holding a Master's degree in a relevant field.
Overall, the key to securing a PhD position at ETH Zurich is to find a professor who is willing to supervise your dissertation and offer you a position within their department. This often involves direct communication and demonstrating that your research interests align with the professor's work.
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Individual doctorates: Each supervisor recruits their own doctoral students
Unlike many other universities, ETH Zurich does not organise its doctoral programmes through an overarching doctoral school. Instead, it primarily offers individual doctorates, where each doctoral thesis supervisor recruits their own doctoral students. This means that to pursue a doctorate at ETH Zurich, you must find a professor at the university who is willing to supervise your dissertation.
The first step in applying for a doctoral position at ETH Zurich is to identify the department and professor you would like to work with. Visit the website of the department where you wish to pursue your doctorate and contact the professors you are considering directly. It is important to note that the Doctoral Administration will not arrange doctoral positions or mediate between candidates and supervisors.
When approaching potential supervisors, it is essential to demonstrate your motivation and qualifications for the doctoral programme. While specific requirements may vary, ETH Zurich typically expects candidates to hold a Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field. For example, the Life Science Zurich Graduate School seeks candidates with a Master's degree in the field of Life Sciences, natural sciences, computer sciences, or engineering, along with excellent academic performance and proficient English skills.
In addition to finding a supervisor, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with the doctoral programmes offered at ETH Zurich. Although each doctoral student has the freedom to design their curriculum, there are 16 highly competitive doctoral programmes run jointly by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. These programmes aim to attract top international talent by providing a comprehensive and challenging education in biosciences. By exploring these programmes, you can identify the one that aligns best with your research interests and goals.
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Master's degree: You must hold or anticipate receiving a university Master's degree
To apply for a PhD at ETH Zurich, international students must hold or anticipate receiving a university Master's degree or equivalent in the field of natural sciences, computer sciences or engineering. The Life Science Zurich Graduate School, for instance, offers a doctoral programme in biosciences.
ETH Zurich does not organise its doctoral studies within an overall doctoral programme, unlike many other universities. Each doctoral student is free to select and assemble the components of their doctoral studies. However, departments may offer their courses in the form of doctoral programmes, which are highly competitive and challenging.
To be considered for admission, you must find a professor at ETH Zurich who will offer you a doctoral position. This is a requirement for registration, along with the completion of the Master's programme and the necessary performance assessments.
While GPA is important, especially with the competitive nature of the application process, publications and research experience are considered more valuable by some recruiters.
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Grades: GPAs are important, but research experience and publications are more so
When applying for a PhD at ETH Zurich, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it's important to note that ETH Zurich is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 27% for international students. The admissions process for PhD positions differs from that of undergraduate or master's programmes, as individual professors recruit their doctoral students directly. Thus, the focus should be on finding a professor whose research aligns with your interests and who is willing to supervise your dissertation.
Now, regarding grades and GPAs: while having a strong GPA is advantageous and can make your application more competitive, it is not the sole determining factor for admission to a PhD programme. In fact, prior research experience and publications are often considered more important by admissions committees. This is because a PhD entails more research and less "armchair thinking", and universities want to see that you have the potential to become an excellent researcher and produce positive results.
Publications, whether they are in the form of journal articles, conference presentations, or other research outputs, demonstrate that you are capable of conducting research and have a strong understanding of your field. Even if your publications are in a different field or completed during your undergraduate studies, they can still enhance your application and showcase your research skills. Additionally, any research experience, such as working as a research assistant, volunteering in a lab, or participating in industry internships, will be valuable and can make your application stand out.
However, it's important to keep in mind that each professor and research group at ETH Zurich may have their own specific requirements and expectations. Thus, while a high GPA is not the most critical factor, maintaining a good academic standing is still essential, especially when combined with relevant research experience and publications.
Finally, when applying for a PhD position at ETH Zurich, ensure that you meet the language proficiency requirements and are aware of the application deadlines and fees for international students.
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Application process: Contact the professor you are considering directly
To apply for a PhD at ETH Zurich, you must first find a professor at the university who is willing to supervise your dissertation. The best way to do this is to contact the professors you are considering directly. Visit the website of the department where you would like to do your doctorate and get in touch with professors whose research interests align with your own.
Each doctoral student at ETH Zurich recruits their doctoral students themselves, and it is only possible to register for a doctorate once you have secured a doctoral position. This means that you must find a professor who is willing to offer you a position before you can begin your PhD studies at ETH Zurich.
When contacting professors, it is important to demonstrate your research interests and capabilities. Publications are often considered more important than grades, as they show that you are capable of conducting research and have a strong understanding of your field. However, having a high GPA can also be beneficial due to the competitive nature of PhD admissions at ETH Zurich.
Additionally, it is worth noting that ETH Zurich does not organise its doctorate within an overarching doctoral study programme. Instead, each doctoral student is free to select and assemble the components of their doctoral studies. The university does offer 16 highly competitive doctoral programmes, run jointly with the University of Zurich, which aim to attract promising young scientists from around the world.
International students are welcome to apply for PhD positions at ETH Zurich, and funded positions are available for qualified candidates.
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Frequently asked questions
You must first find a professor at ETH Zurich who will offer you a doctoral position. Once you have found a position, you can register for your doctorate. The best way to apply for a doctoral position is to contact the professorship you are interested in directly.
You must have completed a Master's programme in full and have the necessary performance assessments to verify your grades. While having a high GPA is beneficial due to the competitive nature of PhD applications, it is not the most important factor. Publications and research experience are considered much more important.
Funded positions are open for national and international (also non-EU) students.
ETH Zurich does not organise its doctorates within an overall doctoral study programme. Each doctoral student is free to select and assemble the components of their doctoral studies. However, there are 16 highly competitive doctoral programmes run jointly by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, including the Life Science Zurich Graduate School.
Each potential doctoral thesis supervisor recruits their doctoral students themselves. You should visit the website of the department where you would like to do your doctorate and contact the professors you are considering directly.





























