Structure of ETH Zurich Bachelor's degree programmes
ETH Zurich Bachelor's degree programmes cover in-depth academic content, practical knowledge, the competence to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries and socially relevant key skills.
Studies at ETH Zurich are structured as following:
- 6 semesters
- 180 credits
The bachelor's degree is followed by either a consecutive or a specialised Master’s degree programme:
Consecutive Master’s degree programme
- Free of additional requirements
- 3 or 4 semesters
- 90 or 120 credits
Specialised Master’s degree programme
- Special admission procedure
- 3 or 4 semesters
- 90 or 120 credits
Further information on the Master's programme
The Bachelor’s degree programme comprises 180 credits and usually takes three years. The maximum permitted duration of studies is five years.
The first year of studies, called the Basisjahr, covers the basics of mathematics, areas of science (e.g. physics, chemistry and biology) relevant to the respective programme, and the fundamentals of the degree programme itself.
The first year concludes with the first-year examinations. In the four semesters following, the theoretical and methodological content of the degree programme is consolidated.
The first year of studies covers the following general basic courses:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Biology
and the fundamentals of the degree programme itself.
The first year concludes with the first-year examinations.
- Course-specific subjects
- Electives
- Project work
- Possibly Bachelor's thesis
- Science in Perspective
- Semester examinations (some grouped in blocks)
- Written papers
After six semesters, students acquire a Bachelor's degree «Bachelor of Science ETH», or «Bachelor of Arts ETH» for the Public Policy programme (Professional Officer).
The Bachelor’s degree is not a professional qualification. This level is reached only with the Master’s degree.