The ETH Zurich or ETH was founded as a Swiss based public college in Zurich in 1854. It has been accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Council. The university ranked #7 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It also ranked at #11 position in this year's THE rankings and remains the highest ranked university outside the Anglo-Saxon sphere.
The ETH courses consist of various UG courses and PG courses offered through the university's 12 academic departments. Check more details on the ETH acceptance rate below-
ETH Zurich Acceptance Rate 2025
In 2024/25, there were a total of 9,000+ new enrollments at ETH Zurich with 3,650 being enrolled in a UG course. In total, there are 11,300+ students studying a BSc program, whereas there are 9,500+ students enrolled in an MSc program. Engineering stood to be the most popular course for UG and PG students with 4,000+ enrollments each.
The general ETH Zurich acceptance rate stands at around 27% according to various unofficial sources, making the admission criteria of the university very selective. Check the enrollment stats below-
| Particulars |
2025 Headcount |
|---|
| Total Students |
26,198 |
| Bachelor's Students |
11,304 |
| Master's Students |
9,517 |
| Acceptance Rate |
Around 27% |
ETH Zurich Acceptance Rate for International Students
According to official sources, 20% of the Bachelor's students are international students. There was a similar number of international enrollments in 2024 and 2025 housed on the ETH Zurich campus. On the other hand, international students make up 42% of the master's degree student population. For UG the top countries of origin are Germany and Austria, and for PG, the top countries of origin are Italy, Germany, the USA and the Netherlands. Check the enrollment stats for international students below-
| Particulars |
Headcount |
|---|
| Total Students |
Almost 25,200 |
| International Students |
35% |
| Countries Represented |
120 |
ETH Zurich Acceptance Rate Trends
The no. of total student enrollments at ETH Zurich has increased by 11.9% in the last five years. When it comes to Bachelor's admissions, the no. of students enrolled has decreased by -41.6% since 2020, whereas the no. of Master's enrollments has increased by 22.2% in the same time span. This suggests that securing a seat at this university has become more difficult over the years for UG students and slightly easier for PG students. Check the enrollment trends below-
| Year |
Total Students |
BSc students |
MSc students |
|---|
| 2024 |
26,198 |
11,304 |
9,517 |
| 2023 |
25,380 |
10,948 |
9,018 |
| 2022 |
25,022 |
10,665 |
9,737 |
| 2021 |
24,534 |
10,642 |
8,299 |
| 2020 |
23,422 |
19,355 |
7,790 |
Also check ETH Zurich Placement
ETH Zurich Requirements for International Students
Indian students are required to fulfil the ETH Zurich admission requirements to be able to secure a seat at the university. These are mentioned below-
- Upper secondary school leaving certificate
- Certificate of university admission in a relevant field provided by a recognized Indian university
- Reduced Entrance Examination ETHZ OR Comprehensive Entrance Examination ETHZ
The accepted upper secondary school-leaving certificates must be issued by an official examination authority and must include the following:
- Higher Secondary School Certificate
- Higher School Certificate
- All India Senior School Certificate
- Indian School Certificate
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
Refer to the official uni website for more details on the language prerequisites (depends on language of instruction) or any subject and grade specific requirement for the course of your choice.
Also check ETH Zurich fees for Indian students
Tips to get selected at ETH Zurich
Students can refer to the tips given below to maximise their chances of selection at ETH Zunich Switzerland:
- Ascertain the language of instruction of your course of choice. Depending on the same, you will be required to provide the English or German language proficiency proof and it will take time to build these language skills.
- Write a strong letter of motivation for choosing the course you want to enroll in as well as the reason behind ETH Zurich being your first preference. Your letter should make your zeal apparent.
- Acquire strong letters of recommendation. Inform your mentor at least 3 weeks prior to your actual requirement of the letters so that they get enough time to assess your strengths and jot down the same appropriately.
Also check ETH Zurich Reviews
ETH Zurich Acceptance Rate vs EPFL Acceptance Rate
The EPFL acceptance rate stands at around 23% according to various unofficial sources, making the admission criteria very selective. In comparison, the ETH Zurich acceptance rate 2025 stands at around 27% making the admission criteria for both of the universities equally stringent. This suggests that both of these institutes are very particular about the students who they enroll on their campus grounds and students should try building an all rounder profile to maximise their chances of seletion for both.
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