Material Science
Materials Science and Engineering MSc
ETH ZurichA two-year MSc combining advanced materials science, research, industrial experience and engineering applications across modern material systems.
Related pathways
Study Level
Master's Degree
Study Mode
On Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Programme Overview
ETH Zurich's MSc in Materials Science and Engineering provides advanced interdisciplinary education at the interface of natural science, engineering and technology.
Students develop expertise in understanding, designing, processing and characterising modern materials and learn how materials properties can be controlled for advanced technological applications.
The programme allows students to build an individual academic profile using the broad range of materials science courses offered at ETH Zurich.
A research project gives students direct experience with current materials research, while an industrial internship provides practical exposure to materials development and engineering in professional environments.
The degree prepares graduates to contribute to new materials, advanced manufacturing, analytical methods and engineering applications across sectors such as energy, electronics, transportation and high-performance technologies.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should hold a recognised Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering or another engineering or scientific discipline with sufficient preparation in materials science.
Suitable backgrounds may include:
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Physics
Electrical Engineering
Other closely related engineering or natural-science disciplines
Admission is selective and applications are assessed holistically based on undergraduate academic performance, university background, materials-science preparation, motivation and supporting documents.
Two academic recommendation letters are required.
Applicants must submit an approximately one-page motivation letter explaining their interest in the programme and their preferred materials-science topics or ETH research groups.
Applicants whose Bachelor's degree was obtained outside an EU/EFTA member state must submit the GRE General Test.
Meeting the published requirements does not guarantee admission.
English-Language Requirements
The programme is taught in English.
English-language proficiency at CEFR Level C1 is required by the application deadline.
Applicants must submit a recognised English-language certificate unless they qualify for an official ETH Zurich exemption.
Recognised qualifications include approved TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge English certificates according to ETH Zurich's current language requirements.
TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge C1 Advanced certificates normally must be no more than two years old.
Applicants should verify the current accepted certificates, minimum scores and exemption rules before submitting their application.
Career Outcomes
Scholarship Information
ETH Zurich offers merit-based and need-based funding opportunities for eligible Master's students. Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) ESOP provides CHF 12,000 per semester toward living and study expenses together with a tuition-fee waiver. The scholarship is awarded for the regular duration of the Master's programme. Applicants should normally demonstrate an excellent Bachelor's academic record, approximately within the top 10% of their cohort. For Autumn 2027 entry, the ESOP application window is 1 November to 30 November 2026. Applicants submit the ESOP application through ETH Zurich's eApply system together with their Master's application. A Master's thesis pre-proposal is required as part of the ESOP application. ETH Social Scholarships Need-based social scholarships may also be available to eligible Bachelor's and Master's students. Scholarships are competitive and should not be assumed as guaranteed funding.