First Steps – Information about your Bachelor's studies at ETH Zürich

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the ETH Zürich orientation letter.

Semester enrollment (Semestereinschreibung)

Online enrollment for the semester via myStudies after confirming personal details in eApply; you receive official admission confirmation by email; login data (ETH username, initial password, email) are sent around late August 2025; two versions of the enrollment confirmation become available from the semester start (Sept 15, 2025) and are valid from then.

MyStudies

Web application that lets ETH students manage administrative tasks online, including course enrollment and downloading enrollment confirmations.

Immatrikulationsbestätigung

Enrollment confirmation (standard version) used for tax authorities, stipends, and the Ausgleichskasse; includes a digital seal from ETH Zürich.

Erweiterte Immatrikulationsbestätigung

Extended enrollment confirmation required for applying or renewing a residence permit.

Digital seal

Electronic seal on the enrollment confirmations proving the document is issued by ETH Zürich and has not been altered; verify with free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

ETH-Karte (Studierenden-Legitimationskarte)

Student ID card that is issued about one week before the semester begins.

Login data

ETH username, initial password, and ETH email address sent by email around late August 2025 to access ETH online services.

Belegung der Lerneinheiten

Registration of learning units (courses) online via myStudies; details are in the course catalog (vvz.ethz.ch) for each semester.

Verordnung über Lerneinheiten und Leistungskontrollen

Regulation governing learning units and examinations for bachelor and master programs.

Leistungskontrollen

Assessments/examinations for learning units; results determine credit points.

Kreditpunkte

Credits earned after passing assessments; shown in the Leistungsüberblick in myStudies.

Studiengebühren (Schulgeld und Semesterbeiträge)

Tuition and mandatory/optional semester contributions; billed from the 5th week of the semester (e.g., Fall 2025 around mid-October); changes to the fee schedule may apply from Fall 2025 onward.

Begrüssungsveranstaltung

Welcome event on Monday, September 15, 2025; attendance is essential and includes an overview of studies and may involve lab place allocations.

Bring your own device (Laptop)

Students must have their own laptop; minimum configuration details are provided under the Bring your own device section.

Studiensekretariat / Studienadministration

The first point of contact for study planning, course requirements, internships, requests to defer, diploma applications, and related questions.

Studienreglement und Wegleitung

Study regulations and guidelines for your program; available on your program’s website or via the Studiensekretariat.

Vorlesungsverzeichnis (vvz.ethz.ch)

Course catalog listing all lectures per semester; used to plan and select courses.

Akademischer Kalender

Academic calendar with semester start/end dates, deadlines for registration and deregistration of exams, and holidays.

Studiengangwechsel

Changing from one bachelor program to another; allowed until the end of the 2nd semester week (by Sept 28, 2025); fee CHF 50; decision communicated in writing.

Annullieren einer Einschreibung

Withdrawal from enrollment; possible without cost until the end of the 4th semester week (by Oct 12, 2025); must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing and return the ETH card; after the deadline, tuition and fees are charged.

Militärdienst, Koordination Studium

If serving in the military at the start of the semester, you must obtain leave to attend the welcome event; the unit commander or army can grant leave; further coordination via the army and related resources.

Stipendien

Scholarships; ETH Zürich’s Studies Financing team provides guidance on financing and contact details.

Standorte und Anreise

Locations between the city center and Campus Science City (Hönggerberg); the ETH Link shuttle is free for students; more information on Campus pages.

Zimmer- und Wohnungsvermittlung

Housing and accommodation service for prospective and current students.

Versicherungen

Information on insurances (AHV/AVS, health, accident, and personal liability); see the Insurance section for details.

Vorlesungen beginnen Datum

First day of lectures for Fall 2025: Tuesday, September 16, 2025.