Biology MSc
The required application documents for the desired degree programme differ depending on your previous education.
You are applying to an ETH Zurich Master's degree programme with a:
Language of instruction/Proof of language proficiency
English, proof of proficiency required by the application deadline: Level C1, see Language requirements
GRE
Required for students who have not obtained their Bachelor's degree in one of the external page EU/EFTA Member State countries.
Internship confirmation
If you have done an internship or other practical experience, please include confirmations of these (in English). This especially concerns practical experience outside of your degree programme which would therefore not be listed in your transcript of records. If you have not done an internship or practical experience, please upload an (empty) page as placeholder.
Course content information
Short summary in keywords of all course elements of your complete study programme. Please write these summaries in English (language of the MSc Biology degree programme). Include those courses for which your grades are not yet available and the ones you are still planning to do. Use the same order as on your transcript of records. Additional course descriptions besides those in the form will not be considered. If these requirements are not met, the application can be rejected.
Download Download template (PDF, 339 KB)
Recommendation letter
Two recommendation letters (in English). These should contain an evaluation of the applicants’ lab/practical skills. A comparison with their peers (rank etc.) is desirable.
Motivation letter
Please explain in English why you are applying to the two specific majors and why you wish to come to ETH Zurich. All the motivation letters are read and are important for the evaluation. Do not write general essays on biology and stay below 2000 characters (including spaces).
For applicants with an additional ESOP-application (only first application window): You are welcome to write a slightly longer motivation letter and separate it into two parts, if necessary (general and ESOP-specific).
Areas of specialisation
Please choose two majors in order of priority. The admission and possible additional requirements are major-specific. A change of your major after admission must be formally requested and can be denied.
Language of instruction
English
Internship confirmation
If you have done an internship or other practical experience, please include confirmations of these (in English). This especially concerns practical experience outside of your degree programme which would therefore not be listed in your transcript of records. If you have not done an internship or practical experience, please upload an (empty) page as placeholder.
Course content information
Short summary in keywords of all course elements of your complete study programme. Please write these summaries in English (language of the MSc Biology degree programme). Include those courses for which your grades are not yet available and the ones you are still planning to do. Use the same order as on your transcript of records. Additional course descriptions besides those in the form will not be considered. If these requirements are not met, the application can be rejected.
Download Download template (PDF, 339 KB)
Recommendation letter
Two recommendation letters (in English). These should contain an evaluation of the applicants’ lab/practical skills. A comparison with their peers (rank etc.) is desirable.
Motivation letter
Please explain in English why you are applying to the two specific majors and why you wish to come to ETH Zurich. All the motivation letters are read and are important for the evaluation. Do not write general essays on biology and stay below 2000 characters (including spaces).
For applicants with an additional ESOP-application (only first application window): You are welcome to write a slightly longer motivation letter and separate it into two parts, if necessary (general and ESOP-specific).
Areas of specialisation
Please choose two majors in order of priority. The admission and possible additional requirements are major-specific. A change of your major after admission must be formally requested and can be denied.
Language of instruction
English
Internship confirmation
If you have done an internship or other practical experience, please include confirmations of these (in English). This especially concerns practical experience outside of your degree programme which would therefore not be listed in your transcript of records. If you have not done an internship or practical experience, please upload an (empty) page as placeholder.
Course content information
Short summary in keywords of all course elements of your complete study programme. Please write these summaries in English (language of the MSc Biology degree programme). Include those courses for which your grades are not yet available and the ones you are still planning to do. Use the same order as on your transcript of records. Additional course descriptions besides those in the form will not be considered. If these requirements are not met, the application can be rejected.
Download Download template (PDF, 339 KB)
Recommendation letter
Two recommendation letters (in English). These should contain an evaluation of the applicants’ lab/practical skills. A comparison with their peers (rank etc.) is desirable.
Motivation letter
Please explain in English why you are applying to the two specific majors and why you wish to come to ETH Zurich. All the motivation letters are read and are important for the evaluation. Do not write general essays on biology and stay below 2000 characters (including spaces).
For applicants with an additional ESOP-application (only first application window): You are welcome to write a slightly longer motivation letter and separate it into two parts, if necessary (general and ESOP-specific).
Areas of specialisation
Please choose two majors in order of priority. The admission and possible additional requirements are major-specific. A change of your major after admission must be formally requested and can be denied.
Language of instruction/Proof of language proficiency
English, proof of proficiency required by the application deadline: Level C1, see Language requirements
Internship confirmation
If you have done an internship or other practical experience, please include confirmations of these (in English). This especially concerns practical experience outside of your degree programme which would therefore not be listed in your transcript of records. If you have not done an internship or practical experience, please upload an (empty) page as placeholder.
Course content information
Short summary in keywords of all course elements of your complete study programme. Please write these summaries in English (language of the MSc Biology degree programme). Include those courses for which your grades are not yet available and the ones you are still planning to do. Use the same order as on your transcript of records. Additional course descriptions besides those in the form will not be considered. If these requirements are not met, the application can be rejected. Applicants with a 180 ECTS Biology Bachelor ("Monofach", without minor) from the University of Zurich only need to include the courses for which the grades are not yet available (current courses and planned courses).
Download Download template (PDF, 339 KB)
Recommendation letter
Two recommendation letters (in English). These should contain an evaluation of the applicants’ lab/practical skills. A comparison with their peers (rank etc.) is desirable. Applicants with a 180 ECTS Biology Bachelor ("Monofach", without minor) from the University of Zurich do not require recommendation letters.
Motivation letter
Please explain in English why you are applying to the two specific majors and why you wish to come to ETH Zurich. All the motivation letters are read and are important for the evaluation. Do not write general essays on biology and stay below 2000 characters (including spaces).
For applicants with an additional ESOP-application (only first application window): You are welcome to write a slightly longer motivation letter and separate it into two parts, if necessary (general and ESOP-specific).
Areas of specialisation
Please choose two majors in order of priority. The admission and possible additional requirements are major-specific. A change of your major after admission must be formally requested and can be denied.