Teaching

Spiral galaxy, photographed by the James Webb Space Telescope. The text on the image reads: ETH graduates are one of the most important resources of the Swiss economy. Link to the article about the new space master Master’s degree programme. — The new Master’s in space systems – a unique study programme in Europe – is intended to meet the growing need for skilled personnel in the space industry. In Switzerland, there are numerous companies that produce components for space travel. Click on the image to read more about this. (Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Janice Lee (STScI), Thomas Williams (Oxford) and the PHANGS team)

Graduates for Switzerland as a knowledge nation

Alongside research, education is the key to Switzerland’s prosperity. With around 4,000 Master’s and doctoral students graduating each year, ETH Zurich makes a significant contribution to combating the skills shortage in Switzerland – particularly in the STEM fields and human medicine. ETH Zurich’s excellent reputation attracts the best talented individuals internationally. More than two thirds of foreign graduates remain in Switzerland to start their careers. The university’s research-oriented, classroom-based degree programme conveys fundamental and subject-specific knowledge at the highest level. It features independent learning, the development of individual strengths and a flexible study structure. The result is creative thinkers who help shape the future responsibly and solve problems in a complex world. The quality of teaching is constantly improved through modern technologies and scientific findings.

Enlarged view: Diagram about graduations and transfers (5-year average in %). 81% of Bachelor’s students come from Switzerland and 19% from abroad. 35% of Bachelor’s degree students withdraw from their studies without a degree. 5% of Bachelor’s graduates leave ETH to do a Master’s programme at another university, start a job or take a break. 61% of Bachelor’s graduates continue their Master’s degree studies at ETH. 55% of Master’s students come from ETH, 15% from other Swiss universities and 30% from universities abroad. 6% of Master’s students withdraw from their studies. 79% of Master’s graduates leave ETH. 14% of them work in Switzerland after one year and 86% work abroad. 97% of Master’s alumni are hired after one year. 15% of Master’s graduates continue their doctoral studies at ETH. Of the doctoral students, 42% come from ETH, 8% from other Swiss universities and 50% from foreign universities. 11% of doctoral students withdraw from their studies. 89% graduate from ETH. 26% of them work in Switzerland after one year and 74% work abroad. 98% of doctoral graduates are hired after one year. — Most Bachelor’s graduates go on to study for a Master’s at ETH Zurich. Just one year after graduation, a high proportion of our Master’s and doctoral students have found jobs and most of them are employed in Switzerland. (Image: ETH Zurich / null-oder-eins)

Numerous students walking down the stairs. Link to article about how to deal with rapid change in teaching. — The ETH vision for teaching addresses the issue of what will be needed in future for teaching at ETH to remain successful. ETH wishes to enable its students to cope with rapid change. Click on the image to read more about this. (Image: Alessandro Della Bella / ETH Zurich)

Project-oriented and skills-based teaching

Integrating new knowledge from research and practice into the curricula is crucial to ensuring high-quality teaching. The project-oriented and problem-based teaching formats at ETH help students to better understand, critically assess and selectively apply specialist knowledge. At the same time, they foster motivation, curiosity and both interdisciplinary and social skills.

A student is reaching for a ball with a self-built gripper hand, while several other students watch in the background. — The self-built gripper from the Medical Technology 2 course takes hold. (Image: RELAB ETH Zurich Stefan Schneller)

Building a gripper hand for exoskeletons in five days

SDG icons: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Medical students at ETH Zurich are building a gripper hand for elbow exoskeletons on a crash course lasting just one week. The course is intended to boost future doctors’ interest in the engineering sciences and promote collaboration with engineers. In teams, students take on various roles – from specialists in design and prototype construction to group leaders. The week also features presentations by medical technology companies and discussions with people with disabilities. The course received the 2024 Kite Award, the ETH prize for particularly innovative teaching.

Digital transformation offers opportunities for teaching

Digital channels and artificial intelligence offer added value for teaching and are becoming key tools in conveying knowledge and assessing performance at ETH. This requires further development of teaching formats and infrastructure. ETH equips its students to handle the new technologies and places the focus on gaining insight rather than merely acquiring knowledge.

Portrait photo of Jan Vermant. — Jan Vermant, Vice Rector for Curriculum Development: “The use of generative AI will be part of the skills we need to teach.” (Image: Giulia Marthaler / ETH Zurich)

AI as a teaching assistant

Generative AI is now becoming a firm feature of day-to-day university life, too. In teaching, it is already delivering teaching materials in alternative formats, thereby making them more accessible. Jan Vermant, Vice Rector for Curriculum Development, sees potential – but also a need for development – in AI applications that act as tutors, automatically providing students with personalised feedback. On some courses, the ETH chatbot Ethel is already serving as a digital mentor and taking on routine tasks: Ethel answers students’ questions about courses, gives feedback on homework or exercises and even helps with the grading of exams or homework.

Expansion of the lifelong learning programme

In addition to educating Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral students, ETH Zurich is active in the field of continuing education. By developing new, needs-based models for lifelong learning, the university contributes to the employability of the population and thus to Switzerland’s competitiveness.

CAS relays knowledge of AI for leaders

Machine learning, AI and new technologies are rapidly changing industry. Managers often lack training in these areas, but nevertheless need to make critical resource-allocation and operational decisions related to software and AI – which can impact significantly on a company's competitiveness. This is where the CAS ETH in AI and Software Development comes in: the course is aimed at managers and comprises basic training in AI and software development that can be applied across multiple industries and areas of the organisation. The CAS is part of the new MAS in AI and Digital Technology.

The new CAS programme offers managers training in machine learning, AI and other new technologies. (Video: Nicole Davidson / ETH Zurich)

SDG icons: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Go to the CAS ETH in AI and Software Development

Diversity: first-generation academics at ETH Zurich

“Having equal access to educational opportunities means that people bring their own skills and their own vision. And then they can choose what they want to do.”

Julia Dannath, Vice President for Human Resources Development and Leadership

Two girls in lab coats standing in a laboratory and watching a person transfer sweets from one glass to another. — On National Future Day, 330 children explored careers in science and technology in twenty programmes at ETH Zurich. (Image: Gion Pfander)

There are people studying, conducting research and working at ETH who are the first person in their family to attend or have attended university. Their experience shows how important it is to break down barriers and promote equal opportunities. In that vein, ETH uses National Future Day as another opportunity to strengthen diversity by specifically reserving a quota of places for children from lower social backgrounds. This opens up prospects and supports inclusive access to education.

SDG icons: SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

A conversation about social mobility in Switzerland

Students and degree awards

ETH had a total of 26,198 students in 2024, of which 33.4 percent were women and 44.2 percent were international. In 2024 there were 7,129 graduates. The table below classifies the students according to their level of study, area of study and educational origin, as well as the number of graduates according to their level and area of study.

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_{The Annual Report is produced in German and translated into English. Only the German version is binding.
© ETH Zurich, April 2025}