Prerequisites and preparations

To be eligible to apply for an exchange, you must be continuously matriculated at ETH from the time of your application until the start of your exchange (regular enrolment or enrolment for a leave of absence).

Bachelor

• successfully completed 2nd year of study at the start of the exchange programme
• passed first-year examinations ("Basisprüfung") with minimum average grades of 4.50 at the time of application

Students who did not achieve this grade may still qualify for the exchange if they achieve a grade average of 4.50 or higher in higher semesters of the Bachelor’s programme. The credit-weighted average grade applies, including the calculated results of all performance assessments (including the “Basisprüfung” and those without category) at the time of application and as stated on your official transcript of records. If you have any questions, contact the departmental exchange coordinator in your department.

Some departments and some worldwide partner universities require a higher grade point average.

The departments are responsible for the recognition of academic attainments abroad. Before the exchange, you must draw up a study plan and get it approved by your departmental exchange coordinator.

• The majority of the academic achievements attained during the exchange should be recognised for your studies at ETH.
• It is your responsibility to check and comply with the applicable requirements and restrictions of the host university regarding course selection early on and to submit a realistic study plan to your departmental exchange coordinator.
  
• The study plan should be designed to fully or mostly cover courses missed at ETH. The workload should correspond to at least 20 ECTS credits per semester. If the host university stipulates a higher workload, the higher workload applies.
• Before you apply, check with your departmental exchange coordinator before applying what can be credited to you and with how many ECTS (conversion of the credit points of the host university into ECTS). If you are applying for a worldwide exchange, discuss the conversion of the host university’s credits into ECTS credits. If the conversion will be undertaken in collaboration with professors / tutors find out who in the department will make the final decision. Note any rules of the partner university concerning exchange students' minimum or maximum attendance of classes.
• In principle, the permitted duration of studies cannot be extended due to exchange studies. However, it is possible that you cannot earn 30 credits during your exchange and will have to adjust the planning of your ETH studies accordingly to earn more credits in other semesters.

Requirements

Many partner universities require proof of language qualifications. Visit the websites of the respective programmes or partner universities to find out which language skills and certificates you will need.

Inform yourself independently about the application process, your desired program's application deadline, and any earlier deadlines in your department ("interne Vorauswahl"). In any case, you need the approval of your department before applying.

First, get to know the possible partner universities on your own.

1. Inform yourself about the courses offered at the host university and observe any restrictions (e.g. admission requirements for the respective degree level).
2. You must discuss the study plan with your departmental exchange coordinator to ensure the recognition of your academic attainments abroad.

• If you wish to attend "science in perspective" courses (previously "D-​GESS courses") at the partner university and have them recognised for credit at ETH, you must obtain – well in advance – the permission of your degree programme’s Director of Studies and that of the teaching commission of the respective GESS subject. No more than 3 CPs will be credited.
  
• Contact the Study Administration Office of D-​GESS and provide the following information: host university, subject and content of the course(s), hours per week, type of transcript to record.  

Depending on the host university's academic calendar, there might be time conflicts with your ETH examinations. You may have to take written session examinations in the session after your return from your exchange. Consider the consequences when planning your exchange and discuss them with your departmental exchange coordinator.

Students are responsible for arranging their insurance during the exchange. Check your existing insurance coverage and consider taking out additional travel insurance. ETH's Financial Services also provide information on travel insurance.

You can make your travel environmentally friendly, especially within Europe. Most European destinations are accessible by train. By the way, for European exchange destinations, you can apply for an environmentally friendly travel top-up if you travel to and from the destination by train or bus (or ferry).

You must upload a final report to the International Knowledge Base after your exchange. This report will help future students to select a host university and the courses.

This is up to the departments to decide. Make an appointment with your mobility officers as soon as you have received the transcript of records from your host university.

You must be available for the annual information events to provide information about your exchange experiences to interested students.

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