Student Mobility for Studies (SEMP SMS)

Some partner universities require proof (e.g. a certificate) of language proficiency. Check as early as possible whether such proof is required, and in what form. Any language certificates will have to be submitted only with the application to the host university, and not with the application to ETH Zurich. Our prerequisite, of course, is that you have sufficient knowledge of the teaching language at the host university!

For an overview of host university requirements go to the search portal for online applications and look for the desired university. Click on the icon in front of the university names (“Display details of this bilateral agreement”). The relevant documents and/or the link to the host university will appear if they have been sent to us. If no information is available please consult the host university website directly.

If your host university requires a language certificate, it is often sufficient in Europe to submit an informal proof of sufficient language skills from the home university (just for English), a certificate from the Language Center of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich regarding courses completed (see below), or a copy of the Matura/Abitur academic record which documents the respective language taken. We will issue an informal language certification confirming the English language level of C1 once we have approved your application, if you have declared an adequate language level in your application form. If in doubt, contact the host university.

We strongly recommend that you attend courses in the host university’s teaching language or national language at the external page Language Center of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich as early as possible. The Language Center issues confirmations of courses completed. These are not official language certificates, but such confirmations are often accepted in Europe.