ETH Zurich was founded in 1855 as the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School (Polytechnikum) by the Swiss Confederation to train engineers and scientists and drive industrial development in the young nation. It began lectures in 1855 and awarded its first doctorates from 1909 onward after restructuring into a full university-level institution, adopting its current name Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule in 1911. Over the decades, it has produced groundbreaking research (including Albert Einstein's studies there from 1896–1900), survived expansions and modernizations, and established itself as a global leader in science and technology, with close ties to Swiss industry and international collaboration.
ETH Zurich operates across two main campuses in Zurich: the historic Zentrum campus in the city center, featuring the iconic main building (built 1858–1864) surrounded by urban vibrancy, museums, and cultural sites; and the modern Hönggerberg campus on a hilltop outside the center, home to many science and engineering departments with contemporary labs, green spaces, and high-tech facilities. The campuses are well-connected by public transport, bike paths, and a scenic cable car link, blending historic architecture with state-of-the-art research infrastructure, sports facilities, and student housing.
ETH Zurich is part of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Domain under the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research. It is governed by the ETH Board (strategic oversight) and led by the President, currently Professor Joël Mesot (since January 2019, serving his second term until the end of 2026). The Executive Board, including the Rector and other vice-presidents, handles day-to-day operations, while departments maintain significant autonomy. The university receives substantial federal funding, with tuition heavily subsidized (CHF 730 per semester for Swiss/EU students, higher for others from 2025 onward) and a strong focus on public service and innovation.
ETH Zurich is organized into 16 departments covering architecture, civil/environmental/geomatic engineering, biosystems science, computer science, electrical/IT, materials, mechanical/process, health sciences/technology, biology, chemistry/applied biosciences, mathematics, physics, earth sciences, environmental systems, and more. It emphasizes rigorous, research-oriented education with a strong STEM focus, interdisciplinary approaches, and hands-on projects. Consistently ranked among the world's top universities (#7 in QS World University Rankings 2026, top in continental Europe for many fields), it is affiliated with 22 Nobel laureates (including Albert Einstein), 2 Fields Medalists, and leaders in AI, quantum technology, sustainability, and engineering.
ETH Zurich enrolls around 25,000 students (about 40% international, from over 120 countries), creating a highly motivated, multicultural, and intellectually intense community. Student life includes strong departmental and interdisciplinary clubs (over 100 associations), sports events like the annual SOLA relay race, cultural activities (concerts, exhibitions, symposia with top speakers), and traditions such as the Polymesse career fair. The VSETH student association represents students, while campuses offer excellent facilities for exercise, maker spaces, and social events; life balances demanding coursework with Zurich's vibrant city scene, outdoor activities in the Alps, and a focus on innovation and global impact.
Professors at ETH Zurich
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