ETH Zurich, like most European technical universities, does not require the GRE for graduate admission. Admission is based on your Bachelor's transcript, the fit between your prior coursework and your target Master's programme, and (for doctoral positions) direct arrangement with a supervising professor.
Does ETH Zurich Require the GRE?
| Programme Type | GRE Required? |
|---|---|
| Master's programmes (most) | No |
| Doctoral positions (PhD) | No — hired as research/teaching assistants via direct professor arrangement |
| Joint programmes with US partner institutions | Occasionally required by the US partner, not ETH itself |
ETH's Master's admissions process evaluates whether your Bachelor's degree provides adequate subject-specific preparation ("fachliche Vorbildung") for your target programme — a transcript-based assessment rather than a standardised test score.
When You Might Still Need the GRE
- Some quantitative finance or joint management programmes occasionally request or accept a GRE/GMAT score as supplementary evidence, though this is uncommon at ETH specifically.
- PhD applicants applying to joint US-Swiss research programmes may need a GRE score if the US partner institution requires one.
Always confirm directly with your target ETH department, since exceptions can exist at the programme level even where the general ETH position is "not required."
What ETH Actually Evaluates Instead
| Factor | Weight |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's transcript and subject match | Primary factor |
| Relevant coursework in the target discipline | High |
| Motivation letter | Moderate |
| For PhD: supervisor agreement and funding | Critical |
| English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) | Mandatory, separate requirement |
GRE Is Separate From English Proficiency
Even though ETH does not require the GRE, IELTS or TOEFL is still required for most Master's applicants whose prior education was not conducted in English:
| Requirement | ETH Zurich Policy |
|---|---|
| GRE | Not required |
| IELTS | Required for most programmes — see our ETH Zurich IELTS Requirements guide |
| TOEFL | Required for most programmes — see our ETH Zurich TOEFL Requirements guide |
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — the mandatory English requirement for most ETH Zurich Master's programmes. AI-powered speaking and writing feedback. Or prepare for TOEFL.