4. Study plan

The study plan is essential for the recognition of credits earned abroad.

Deadline

10 January

Your preliminary study plan, submitted as part of your application, is the basis for your study plan. Changes are allowed.
The study plan should fully or largely replace the courses missed at ETH. As a rule, the workload should be at least 20 ECTS per semester. If the partner university has set higher minimum or maximum requirements, those will apply.
Your exchange programme should not extend the duration of your studies. However, if you are unable to earn 20 ECTS during your exchange, you may need to adjust your study plans at ETH to make up for the missing credits in other semesters.
The majority of the credits earned during your exchange should be recognised for your degree. Therefore, the courses you choose must meet your department’s requirements. If you cannot find enough suitable courses before your departure, the exchange may need to be cancelled.
Before applying, consult your departmental exchange coordinator to determine which credits can be recognised and how many ECTS credits can be transferred (conversion of credit points from the partner university into ECTS). If the conversion process involves professors or tutors, clarify who makes the final decision. Your degree programme may require a tutor agreement, or you may need to obtain confirmation of recognition from individual lecturers.
You must enter your study plan in Mobility-Online.

No specifications

Research the courses offered by your partner university and note any restrictions (e.g. admission requirements for respective study levels).
Study reports from former exchange students in the International Knowledge Base can provide valuable insights and may include feedback on lectures.

Learn more about the International Knowledge Base

If you have difficulty selecting courses, contact your departmental exchange coordinator.

You may take a maximum of three CPs, which can be recognised.
Prior approval from your Director of Studies and the teaching commission is required.
Contact the Study Administration Office of D-GESS well in advance with the following details: partner university, subject content of the course(s), hours per week, type of transcript to record.

Contact the D-GESS Study Administration Office
[Mailto-Link studiensekretariat@gess.ethz.ch]

When planning your exchange, consider the ETH examinations.
Differences in academic calendars between ETH and your partner university may result in scheduling conflicts. Discuss any conflicts with your departmental exchange coordinator.

Learn more about preponement and distance examinations

Contact your departmental exchange coordinator

Check which apply to your specific programme

An externally written thesis (e.g. a Master's thesis) is considered an ETH thesis.
An ETH professor must evaluate and grade the thesis according to ETH guidelines. This evaluation may be based on the assessment from the partner university.
Discuss expectations (e.g. report, presentation) and deadlines with your supervisors at both ETH and the partner university as early as possible.
Discuss expectations (e.g. report, presentation) and deadlines early with the supervisors at ETH and the partner university.

Enter all projects as course units. In a separate step, you can enter more detailed information about the project, including the expected number of credit points.
Upload confirmations from both supervisors (ETH professorship and partner university) in English as PDF files in the documents section.

You may need to change your study plan during the first few weeks of your exchange semester. You will be notified by email as soon as this Mobility-Online function is open.
Discuss any major changes with your departmental exchange coordinator (and tutors if necessary) before making changes.
Only submit finalised changes to avoid unnecessary checks by your departmental exchange coordinator.
Once approved, you will receive your updated learning agreement by email.