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Exam Date: August 17, 2025
The ETH Zurich Entrance Examination is a prerequisite for international students whose secondary school qualifications do not meet the direct admission requirements for Bachelor’s degree programs.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Needs to Take the Entrance Exam?
• International Students: Applicants with non-Swiss secondary school qualifications.
• Swiss Students: Those holding a Swiss vocational baccalaureate (Berufsmaturität) or other equivalent qualifications.
Language Proficiency:
• German: Proficiency at level C1 is required.
Admission Types:
1. Admission without Entrance Examination: For applicants whose qualifications are deemed equivalent to the Swiss Matura.
2. Admission Contingent Upon Passing the Reduced Entrance Examination: For applicants with qualifications similar to the Swiss Matura but lacking certain subjects.
3. Admission Contingent Upon Passing the Comprehensive Entrance Examination: For applicants whose qualifications are significantly different from the Swiss Matura.
Important Dates
• Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
• Registration for Entrance Examination: September 15 – October 15, 2025
• Examination Period: January 12–22, 2026
• Commencement of Studies: September 2026
Exam Pattern
Types of Examinations:
1. Reduced Entrance Examination: Typically for applicants with qualifications similar to the Swiss Matura.
2. Comprehensive Entrance Examination: For applicants with qualifications significantly different from the Swiss Matura.
Examination Components:
• Written Examinations: Held from Monday to Wednesday in the 3rd calendar week.
• Oral Examinations: Conducted from Thursday of the 3rd calendar week until Thursday of the 4th calendar week.
Subjects Covered:
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Languages: German, English, French, or Italian
• History
• Geography
• Economics
Detailed Syllabus
Mathematics:
• Algebra
• Calculus
• Geometry
• Linear Algebra
• Probability and Statistics
Physics:
• Mechanics
• Thermodynamics
• Electromagnetism
• Optics
Chemistry:
• General Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
Biology:
• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Ecology
Languages:
• Grammar and Composition
• Reading Comprehension
History:
• Swiss History
• World History
Geography:
• Physical Geography
• Human Geography
Economics:
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
Note: Detailed subject area lists ('Themenblätter') are available for each subject.
Understand the Exam Format:
• Familiarize yourself with the structure and timing of both written and oral examinations.
2. Review the Syllabus:
• Thoroughly study the subject area lists provided by ETH Zurich.
3. Practice with Past Papers:
• Solve previous years' examination papers to understand the question format and difficulty level.
4. Join Preparation Courses:
• Consider enrolling in preparation courses offered by institutions like Examprep GmbH, which provide structured study plans and resources.
5. Improve Language Proficiency:
• Enhance your German language skills to meet the C1 proficiency requirement.
January 12-22, 2026
The ETH Zurich Entrance Examination is a standardized test for international applicants whose upper secondary school-leaving certificates do not meet the Swiss Matura standards. It assesses knowledge in subjects relevant to the intended degree program. The exam is conducted annually in January at the ETH Zurich Main Building.
Step 1: Submit your complete application for a Bachelor's degree program via eApply by 31 March 2025.
Step 2: If required, you will receive an admissions decision and information about the entrance examination in January 2026.
Step 3: Register for the entrance examination between 15 September and 15 October 2025.
Step 4: Pay the examination fee during registration.
Step 5: Attend the examination in January 2026
Reduced Entrance Examination: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Comprehensive Entrance Examination: Includes all subjects in the reduced exam, plus German, a second foreign language (English, French, or Italian), Geography, History, and an essay in German.
Written Examinations: Held from Monday to Wednesday in the 3rd calendar week.
Oral Examinations: Held from Thursday of the 3rd calendar week until Thursday of the 4th calendar week.
Language: The examination is conducted in German
