What is PAKETH?
The project PAKETH (in German: Prüfungswesen und Akademischer Kalender an der ETH) aims to make it easier for students to plan their studies, enable them to take longer breaks and achieve a more balanced workload through various adjustments. The aim is to create the basis for future-ready teaching and learning.
The changes concern:
- New academic calendar: The examination period will be completed in July. End of semester and session examinations will now be combined into final examinations. Instead of examination blocks, there will now be categories with grade compensation. Clearer semester structures will make it easier to plan your studies.
- Teaching optimisation and workload monitoring: The students' workload should be evenly distributed over the course of the studies. The increased number of integrated performance assessments offered means that students receive feedback on their progress during the semester.
- Linking of course unit (module1) / performance assessment: Registration for a module will count as examination registration. The dates for written examinations will be announced before the start of the semester.
- Harmonisation of programme regulations: The programme regulations will be simplified and will have a similar structure throughout the various degree programmes. This will simplify orientation between the degree programmes.
Find out more about the benefits for students and the individual adjustments.
PAKETH Town Hall for Bachelor's students
On 5 November, Rector Günther Dissertori and members of the PAKETH core team hosted the first general information event for Bachelor’s students. The event was held online in German and provided an overview of the most important changes as well as an opportunity to ask questions.
If you missed the event or would like to revisit the content, the video recording is now available (with English subtitles).
For master's students, there will be a separate Town Hall in 2026, which will then be held in English.
1 The term course unit will be replaced by the term module. A summary of the new terminology can be found under Changeover to AS 2027.