Conditions of the Student Exchange Office
The Student Exchange Office sets conditions for an exchange.
From the time of your application until the end of your exchange, you must be continuously matriculated in a Bachelor's or Master's programme at ETH (regular enrolment or enrolment for a leave of absence).
- In Europe and Switzerland: 1 to 2 semesters (degree programme specific deviations possible)
- Outside Europe (worldwide programmes): 1 semester
You must meet the following conditions:
- successfully completed your 2nd year of study by the start of the exchange AND
- achieved an average grade of at least 4.50 in your first-year examinations ("Basisprüfung") at the time of application
If you do not meet the grade requirement, you may still qualify by achieving an overall grade average of at least 4.50 in the advanced Bachelor's semesters. The credit-weighted average grade applies, factoring in all performance assessments (including the first-year examinations, performance assessments without category, failed courses), as stated on the official transcript of records at the time of application.
Contact your departmental exchange coordinators if you have grade-related questions.
Note
Some departments and non-European partner universities (worldwide programme) may require a higher minimum grade average.
You must meet one of the following conditions:
- passed the first-year examinations with a minimum grade of 4.50 OR
- earned a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade of 4.50
If you do not meet any of these grade requirements, you may still qualify by achieving a minimum grade of 4.50 in the advanced Master's semesters and completing at least 20 credits in the Master's degree programme. The credit-weighted average grade applies, factoring in all performance assessments.
If you do not yet have a Bachelor's degree at the time of application and you did not pass the first-year exams with at least 4.50, you may still qualify for an exchange by achieving an overall grade average of at least 4.50 in the advanced Bachelor's semesters. The credit-weighted average grade applies, factoring in all performance assessments (including the first-year examinations, performance assessments without category, failed courses), as stated on the official transcript of records at the time of application.
Contact your departmental exchange coordinators if you have grade-related questions.
Additional requirements regarding the Bachelor’s degree
- Exchange for courses: You must hold a Bachelor’s degree from ETH Zurich. Some departments may grant exceptions for degrees from EPFL or the University of Zurich.
- Exchange only for projects (only possible at Swiss partner universities): Depending on the department, this may be possible without a Bachelor’s degree from ETH Zurich.
Note
Some departments and non-European partner universities (worldwide programme) may require a higher minimum grade average.
- If you withdraw from an exchange programme without a sufficient reason, you will be barred from participating in future exchange opportunities. Examples of sufficient reasons are: Illness, accident, massive drop in performance during studies.
- If you cancel your participation, you must immediately repay any scholarship received to the Student Exchange Office.
You must create a preliminary course list for each priority (partner university). To do this, you must first review the requirements of each selected partner university (Course Catalogue, access, restrictions).
The Student Exchange Office's role in your exchange is administrative. For example, they can assist with questions about the application process but not academic matters. Departmental exchange coordinators answer academic questions.