Princeton Program: ETH Zurich

Please be reminded that need to be nominated to the program by your study abroad advisor, in addition to completing two applications: 

• Nomination deadline: September 30
• ETH application deadline: October 15 
• Princeton application deadline: October 16

The ETH Zurich exchange program is for those students in Computer Science, Math, and Molecular Biology who are eager to study at a rigorous, world-renowned institution in science and technology. Students take courses in English and learn alongside other domestic and international students at ETH. They can even take an optional, German-language course at the beginning of the semester to get acquainted with the language and the city of Zurich.

Learn more by reviewing the ETH Zurich Exchange Fact Sheet.

The University

ETH Zurich, or The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, is one of the world’s leading institutions in science and technology and is known for its outstanding research record. Indeed, 21 Nobel Laureates are associated with ETH. Excellent research conditions, state-of-the-art laboratories, and an attractive urban environment add up to the ideal setting for study abroad.

About 500 professors across 16 departments teach mainly in the engineering sciences and architecture, system-oriented sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences areas and carry out research that is highly valued worldwide. Approximately 19,200 students from over 120 countries attend ETH Zurich.

The Setting

Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and is known as the city with the world’s highest standard of living. While Berne is the political capital, Zurich is considered the business capital. With theaters, concert halls, museums, art galleries, libraries, and bookshops, Zurich is also a center of cultural importance. Situated on the Lake of Zurich and the river Limmat, surrounded by hills, and within easy reach of the Alps, Zurich is a naturally beautiful and very pleasant city to experience.

Switzerland is a multilingual country. Approximately 65% of the population speaks Swiss German. The three other national languages are French (Western Switzerland), Italian (Southern Switzerland), and Romansh (South-Eastern Switzerland). German, French, and Italian are equally recognized. Swiss German is used for almost all oral communication, whereas Standard German is the language used for written communication.

Academics

Courses:

Students in the Department of Biology take a total of five laboratory-based Block Courses and/or lecture-based Concept Courses, for a total of at least 28 ECTS. Successful completion of two pre-approved Block Courses substitutes for MOL 350 (Laboratory in Molecular Biology); no other core course (MOL 342, MOL 345, MOL 348) can be completed abroad. Students also need to complete the equivalent of the fall-semester junior paper while on the exchange. Courses can be found in the course catalog, and the number of credits allocated for each course (ECTS), as well as the number of hours, are listed in each course description. The hours listed are normally the hours per week, and regular courses take place every week for the whole semester. In the Biology Department, there are many block courses that take meet intensively over a short period of time.

Math and Computer Science students must register for 28-30 ECTS, typically comprised of a variable number of courses (depending on the number of ECTS for each course) and have the option of taking a small research project (5 ECTS). For students pursuing a research project, they need to find a suitable project and a supervisor on their own. A good place to start identifying a research project is the website of the department students are interested in joining, and students are encouraged to contact the ETH professor directly in advance of the start of the semester. Students also need to complete the equivalent of the fall-semester junior paper while on the exchange, if applicable. Courses can be found in the course catalog, and the number of credits allocated for each course (ECTS), as well as the number of hours, are listed in each course description. The hours listed are normally the hours per week, and regular courses take place every week for the whole semester.

(Please note that Princeton students' ECTS requirements may differ from ETH students' ECTS requirements due to the differences in the two educational systems. Princeton students should follow the above guidelines in order to transfer a full credit load back to Princeton.) Credit will not be given to courses taken on a pass/fail basis.

Eligibility

Applicants must have at least a B average in the year preceding the semester abroad and must be from either the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, or Molecular Biology.

Applicants to the Department of Biology at ETH must complete the following courses by the end of sophomore year: MOL 214/215 (or ISC 231-234), CHM 304/304B, and one of the MOL core courses (MOL 342, MOL 345, MOL 348, MOL 350).

Applicants to the Departments of Mathematics or Computer Science should be taking advanced courses while at ETH. Please note: The courses in English at ETH are only available in the more advanced level courses. Make sure you have the prerequisites for the courses you want to take. These will be listed in the course catalog, and it is the student's responsibility to browse it before applying.

Grading & Credits:

For information regarding credits, grading, and other academic policies, read the Academic Policies on the Study Abroad website. 

Academic Calendar

Fall semester typically runs from mid September to early January.
Spring semester typically runs from mid February to mid June, but exams are scheduled in August (students' housing contract will extend till August).
 
You can view exact program dates on the university’s academic calendar. 

Housing

Zurich is a safe and attractive place to live. Housing for students is offered by institutions that are connected with ETH Zurich, but operate independently. ETH Zurich has a number of rooms available at these institutions for exchange students. Housing is not guaranteed, but ETH has usually been able to find accommodation for all overseas exchange students who register with the Housing Office within the set deadlines. Princeton cannot accept final responsibility for living arrangements for students who attend ETH Zurich, but the ETH Housing Office can help students with their search for suitable housing.

After acceptance to ETH, student will receive further information via email about registering for accommodation. Read this information carefully. A comment field is included as part of the housing application where students may state their housing preferences. Review the ETH Housing Overview for further details.

There is no meal plan in student houses, so students should be prepared to cook their own meals or use one of the ETH Zurich restaurants.  

Student Life

Review the ETH Zurich Handbook (.pdf) for useful and practical information about living in Zurich and Campus Life. 

Money Matters

Students who receive financial aid at Princeton continue to receive Princeton financial aid for the approved costs of study abroad programs during the academic year. Students who do not receive financial aid will be charged Princeton tuition for the semester, and all other costs/fees will be paid directly to the provider. For detailed information about financial aid, program fees, and billing for study abroad, please visit the Money Matters section of the Study Abroad website. 
 
For estimated program costs, please click on the budget sheet at the top of this brochure.

Passport and Visa 

Students must have a passport valid for at least six months after the end of their study abroad program. For information on obtaining or renewing a US passport, please consult the US State Department Passport Website. 
 
Most nationals from countries outside the European Union/European Economic Area need a visa to enter Switzerland for the purposes of study. Accepted students will receive all information regarding the visa and residence permit via email from ETH after acceptance. ETH will first apply for visa authorization on behalf of each accepted student. Once the student has received the visa authorization by email, they will then need to apply for an Authorized Long-Term Stay visa (over 90 days) at one of the Swiss visa desks in the US. The Swiss visa desk websites will provide a list of documents that must be submitted. After arrival at ETH Zurich, students will receive further information about applying for their residence permit.

Application Process

In order to apply, the appropriate study abroad adviser from Princeton must review your qualifications and nominate you for the program.

1. Make an appointment to see a study abroad adviser to discuss your interest in ETH.
2. Once the nomination has been completed, you will instructions for how to complete the ETH application.
3. Complete the study abroad application items in GPS no later than the deadline listed in GPS. You can access the GPS application by clicking "apply now" at the top of this page. 

In addition to a program application, students must also complete the Princeton course approval form, found in your GPS application. This form is reviewed by the Committee on Examinations and Standing, which grants final approval to participate in the program. Students who meet the university eligibility requirements to study abroad and who have the support of their department are normally approved by the Committee.

Resources 

Start planning your study abroad experience!

• Make an appointment with a study abroad adviser   
• Contact a Global Ambassador   
• Attend an OIP event or info session   
• Apply!