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ETH, EPFL, and cantonal university deadlines — Switzerland rewards early applicants.
Switzerland has no central application system — each university sets its own deadlines. The federal institutes ETH Zurich and EPFL have the earliest deadlines (often December) while cantonal universities typically accept applications until March or April. Programs taught in English often have separate and slightly later deadlines than German- or French-taught programs.
Key Deadlines by Institution Type
| ETH Zurich (Bachelor's) | November 1 – December 15 |
|---|---|
| EPFL (Bachelor's) | December 15 – January 15 |
| ETH / EPFL (Master's) | November 15 – December 15 |
| Cantonal universities (Fall) | March 31 – April 30 |
| Universities of Applied Sciences | February 28 – April 30 |
| Spring semester (select programs) | October 15 – November 30 |
Annual Deadline Calendar
Important Notes
ETH Zurich is one of the world's top-ranked universities — applications for popular master's programs like Computer Science and Electrical Engineering are extremely competitive. Meet the December deadline without fail.
All foreign diplomas must be assessed for equivalency by the Swiss university. This review takes 4–8 weeks and must be completed before an offer is issued.
Non-EU students need a Swiss student residence permit (Type L or B), which can only be applied for after receiving a letter of acceptance. Apply to the cantonal migration office immediately.
Switzerland is not in the EU — EU free movement applies, but non-EU students must demonstrate sufficient financial means (CHF 21,000 / year) for their permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about application deadlines in Switzerland
No. You apply directly to each university through its own online portal. ETH Zurich uses the myStudies portal; EPFL has its own admissions system. Cantonal universities have individual registration systems.
Yes — they are separate institutions and you can apply to both. ETH Zurich is in Zurich (German-speaking), EPFL is in Lausanne (French-speaking). Both have December deadlines for most programs.
Most master's programs at ETH Zurich and EPFL are taught in English. Bachelor's programs are mostly in German (ETH) or French (EPFL). Many cantonal universities offer English-taught master's programs.
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