Information Check-in ETH

It is time to prepare for your journey to Switzerland and your start at ETH Zurich. This involves know-how on formalities but also everyday life. Here we provide you with both, so that you can assume self-responsibility and thrive in your studies.

Check-in ETH process Journey PreparationArrival in SwitzerlandArrival at ETH ZurichStudying at ETH Zurich

Journey Preparation

Our rector Prof. Dr. Günther Dissertori welcomes you at this pre-study event. The event also covers important information on the academic culture at ETH and provides tips from advanced ETH students for a successful start in your studies.

The Check-in ETH Online Event fosters the following social and personal competencies: Communication, Cooperation and Teamwork, Sensitivity to Diversity, and Adaptability and Flexibility.

4 competencies

Rules:

You have to organise your own accommodation. Don’t panic! Follow the steps below as a rule of thumb.

  • Search options: Platform of the Housing Office of the University / ETH, list of other search options
  • Long-term accommodation can only by organised once you have arrived in the city.
  • If possible, come to Zurich/Basel in advance for a few days to search on location.
  • Beware of fraud! NEVER pay for an object that you have not seen in person and without a contract.

Find your acommodation step-by-step:

  1. Find a place to stay for the first weeks: something affordable, temporary and easily terminable (e.g. a Youth Hostel).
  2. Once you are here, start looking for a room in a shared flat. Be patient! The market is tense during September, but eases by October/November. Extend your search to the Download greater city area (PDF, 232 KB). Public transportation is superb, and the cheaper rents outside the city easily compensate for the additional costs of train travel.
  3. Don’t be picky! If you find something, take it. The market for student rooms in flat-sharing communities is short-term in nature and notice periods are short (usually one month). Thus you will be able to change your accommodation at a later stage if you want.

Save money by buying secondhand furniture:

  • Read the study guide of your Master's degree programme and carefully check your department's website for information regarding the curriculum. Which courses are compulsory? Which courses are to take in which semester? How many ECTS are needed in which category?
  • Consult the online Course Catalogue (VVZ) for courses associated with your study programme (Search Tips for Course Catalogue).

Communication and information

  • For students entering a study program in the Autumn Semester 2024, laptops will be obligatory. For more information, please visit the 'Bring your own device' site.

Power sockets in Switzerland:

  • voltage: 230V / 50Hz
  • plugs: type C (2-pin) and type J (3-pin), type C (2-pin) plugs also fit J sockets

Arrival in Switzerland

Insurances

Finance

  • Open a bank account: Most Swiss banks offer accounts at favourable conditions for students. Show your residence permit, passport, and student card. Set up standing orders for recurring payments (e.g. monthly rent payment).

Explore the city

Shopping

  • Where can you buy groceries (e.g. Migros, Coop, Denner, etc.) Where is the nearest external page post office, ATM, pharmacy... ?
  • Buy a Swiss SIM card: Prepaid cards are sold at supermarkets, electronic stores and post offices (e.g. Migros, Coop, Aldi, Lidl, Fust, Interdiscount, Media Markt, Melectronics). Swiss telecom companies offer prepaid cards or subscriptions as well as combined packages with internet subscription (e.g. Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom, Mobilezone).

Public transportation

Medical help

  • On the webpage "What to do in case of illness" of the International Student Office you will find important information.
  • Don't go to a hospital's emergency room unless you are severly ill, your condition is life-threatening or you have been in a serious accident.

Meet up

German courses

Arrival at ETH Zurich

You can only register for courses and access learning materials when your registration is complete. 

  • Inform yourself about important semester dates and deadlines.
  • Choose and register for courses in myStudies as soon as possible. Partial restrictions on registration dates or participant numbers may apply.
  • The add-and-drop phase closes at the end of the 4th week of the semester.
  • If you have not yet received the login data for your ETH student account (nethz account) and cannot register for courses in myStudies, please contact the Study Administration Office of your department if you have any questions about attending courses.
  • mail.ethz.ch: Don't miss important ETH e-mails! Redirect incoming mails to your preferred e-mail address. Always use your ETH e-mail address when communicating with ETH Zurich.
  • Free internet on campus: Set up Wi-Fi connection (eduroam) on your devices.
  • Install VPN client for an encrypted, secure and authenticated connection to the ETH network from remote locations.
  • Download the EduApp to view class schedule, campus map, ETH shuttle bus timetable, study spaces, etc.

Studying at ETH Zurich

  • Review your selection of courses in myStudies (weeks 1 - 4 of the semester).
  • Seek advice from your tutor or study programme coordinator if needed. A helpful contact point is also your department's Study Administration Office.
  • Register for examinations (performance assessments) in myStudies within the deadline (weeks 3 + 4 of the semester). Deregistration remains open for longer.
  • ETH Zurich aims to foster five key competencies. Find more information on the ETH Competence Framework website.

Weekly study plan

  • Create a learning schedule and find your study routine. Plan your regular breaks!
  • Use the Planning tools of Counselling & Coaching.

Learning materials, library and printing facilities  

24h-building-access, workspaces, ETH eLink, bicycle stations

  • ETH buildings are accessible 24 hours a day with your ETH card.
  • Workspaces are available for individual study.
  • Shuttle bus ETH eLink for travelling between the main building (Zentrum) and the Hoenggerberg.
  • Bicycle parking stations on the campus in Zurich at ETH Zurich park your bicycle.

Food

There is a variety of on-?campus canteens and cafeterias. Show your ETH card to benefit from the student discount.

Sport

Would you like to get to know your fellow students? The numerous student organizations offer various activities. Here you will also meet students who have already completed their bachelor's degree at ETH. Or take the opportunity to get involved extracurricularly.

Student organizations

Extracurricular activities

Helpful videos

MyStudies

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365体育直播_365体育投注-竞猜网投 tour Zentrum

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Study and working spaces

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Exams

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365体育直播_365体育投注-竞猜网投 tour H?nggerberg

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ETH Library

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Contact

Counselling & Coaching Centre

Student Services
R?mistrasse 101
8092 Zürich
Schweiz

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