What is PAKETH?

PAKETH is the reform of ETH's academic calendar and examination system that will take effect beginning in autumn semester 2028. PAKETH offers degree programmes and lecturers a concrete opportunity to further develop their teaching towards the ETH Vision of teaching and sustainable teaching and learning. Together with Digital Campus, PAKETH provides the administrative and structural fundamentals for this.

Why PAKETH?

Prof Dr Günther Dissertori's personal message from November 2023 explains the background and direction of PAKETH in a compact and engaging way:

UPDATE: PAKETH will be introduced in Autumn Semester 2028. The introduction date of 2026 mentioned in the video and subsequent articles has been deferred.

How does PAKETH work?

ETH wants to secure and further expand its outstanding position in the training of specialists for science and industry in the long term. PAKETH meets these challenges in four subject areas:

The academic year will consist of two semesters of practically equal length with the same exam preparation period and exam period. Following the exam period in the spring semester, there will be a longer lecture-free phase, as is the case at other universities. A new one-week break from lectures will be introduced in the autumn semester.

Website sub-project studies.

Website sub-project degree programmes.

Performance assessments are integrated into the course during the semester and/or provided by final examinations in the examination period. The enrolment of the module by the students is equivalent to the registration for the performance assessment. Annual courses (Jahreskurse) are no longer used.

Website sub-project degree programmes.

Website sub-project teaching.

The programme regulations will be streamlined and harmonised. The examination blocks will be eliminated. They will be replaced by (groups of) compulsory modules with compensation, so that it will still be possible to pass the selective modules with average grades.

Website sub-project degree programmes.

By consciously planning the workload at both module and curriculum level, degree programmes and lecturers ensure that students are able to achieve the high level of performance required by ETH with the new academic calendar. This also requires optimisation of the course content.

Website sub-project teaching.

Website sub-project degree programmes.

“PAKETH affects all degree programmes and many people at ETH. The high level of approval shows that the need for change is real and great.”
Prof Dr Günther Dissertori, Rector of ETH Zürich.

Who is behind PAKETH?

PAKETH is a project involving the entire ETH. Since 2023, departments, university groups and central bodies have been working together in evolving constellations to design, implement and introduce PAKETH for the Autumn Semester 2028:

During the detailed concept phase, representatives of the VSETH, the KdL and the degree programmes were represented in the broader project management and in the working groups alongside central bodies.

In this way, they were able to participate in the development of PAKETH and comment on proposals in a timely manner.

Central roles for Study Conference and degree programmes

The Study Conference (Stuko) is also used as a permanent platform for information and exchange with the responsibles for the degree programmes.

The degree programmes play an important role in PAKETH. They are responsible for implementing the jointly agreed changes in their respective areas.

Enlarged view: Graphic project organization with staffing PAKETH. — PAKETH project team and organization, as at 30 January 2024.

In the current implementation phase, the proven governance mechanisms from the concept phase will remain in place.

The Rectorate leads the current project team with representatives from Academic Services (AkD), Student Services (StS) and the Unit for Teaching and Learning (UTL).

There continue to be regular working meetings with departments, university groups, central bodies and the project team Digital Campus in order to maintain the high level of participation and broad-based consensus from the concept phase.

Graphic of the PAKETH project team and organization, as of March 2026. — PAKETH project team and organization, as of March 2026.

Contact PAKETH Team.

What is PAKETH currently working on?

PAKETH is now in the implementation phase. Find out more about the details on the sub-project websites:

Status of the overall PAKETH projekt.
Status PAKETH study programme.
Status PAKETH degree programmes and departments.
Status PAKETH teaching.
Status PAKETH administration and operation.

Do you have any questions? You can find answers and contacts for degree programmes, university groups and central bodies in the constantly updated Frequently Asked Questions.

Milestones in the course of the project to date

PAKETH in the media

The topic of PAKETH and teaching at ETH are also relevant topics of public interest outside the campus. Take a look at the articles about it, it's worth it.

Some reports may be behind a payment barrier.

Contacts and participation

On the contact page you will find all contact persons and the opportunity to enter into dialogue with the PAKETH core team.

PAKETH Expertise and Networking

Be inspired and expand your working network at PAKETH-related events:

Listen to PAKETH – Podcast “Inside PAKETH”
Tune in now and gain fresh insights: an overview of all episodes is available on the website.

Discuss PAKETH – Online events “Refresh Teaching”
Regular professional exchange and personal networking at practice-oriented events over the lunch break, offering fresh impulses for teaching – Refresh Teaching.

Discover PAKETH – UTL “Booster Workshops”
The easiest way to get to know PAKETH and adapt it to your own context. Find all UTL workshops for your didactic further education on the Booster website.