View source for ETH Zurich

{{Short description|Public research university in Zurich}}
{{Redirect|ETH||Eth (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox university
 | name                   = ETH Zurich
 | native_name            = Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
 | former_names = Federal polytechnic school (Eidgenössische polytechnische Schule) (1855–1911)<ref name=hist45-55/>
 | native_name_lang       = de
 | other_names            = (Swiss) Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, {{langx|de|link=no|Polytechnikum, poly}} (polytechnic) (colloquially)
 | logo                   = ETH Zürich Logo black.svg
 | image                  = ETH Zürich - Hauptgebäude - Unispital 2012-07-30 07-57-03 ShiftN.jpg
 | caption                = ETH Zurich main building
 | established            = {{Start date and age|1854|2|7}}
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]]
 | budget                 = [[Swiss franc|CHF]] 1.896 billion (2021)
 | rector                 = [[Günther Dissertori]]
 | president              = [[Joël Mesot]]
 | academic_staff         = 6,612 (including doctoral students, excluding 527 professors of all ranks) (full-time equivalents 2021)<ref name=F2021>{{cite web |url=https://ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich/portrait/eth-zurich-in-figures.html |title=ETH in figures. |publisher=ETH Zurich |location=Zurich, Switzerland |date=March 2021 |access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref>
 | administrative_staff   = 3,106 (full-time equivalents 2021)<ref name=F2021/><ref name=AR2021/>
 | students               = 24,534 (headcount 2021)<ref name=F2021/>
 | undergrad              = 10,642<ref name=AR2021>{{cite web |url=https://ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/main/eth-zurich/Informationsmaterial/GB-21/PDF-Downloads/pdf-en/ETH_gb21-EN.pdf |title=Annual Report 2021|publisher=ETH Zurich |location=Zurich, Switzerland |date=March 2021 |access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref>
 | postgrad               = 8,299<ref name=AR2021/>
 | doctoral               = 4,460<ref name=AR2021/>
 | other                  = 1,133<ref name=AR2021/>
 | address                = Rämistrasse 101
 | city                   = [[Zurich]], Switzerland
 | coordinates            = {{Coord|47|22|35|N|8|32|53|E|region:CH-ZH_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = Urban
 | language               = German, English (Masters and upwards, some Bachelors)
 | affiliations           = [[CESAER]], ENHANCE Alliance,<ref name=ENHANCE>{{cite web |url=https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2022/11/eth-zurich-joins-alliance-of-european-universities.html |title=ETH Zurich joins alliance of European universities|publisher=ETH Zurich |location=Zurich, Switzerland |date=25 November 2023 |access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> [[European University Association|EUA]], [[International Alliance of Research Universities|IARU]], [[IDEA League]], [[League of European Research Universities|LERU]]<ref name=LERU>{{cite web |url=https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2023/11/eth-zurich-boosts-networking-with-europes-top-universities.html |title=ETH Zurich boosts networking with Europe's top universities|publisher=ETH Zurich |location=Zurich, Switzerland |date=17 November 2023 |access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref>
 | website                = {{URL|https://ethz.ch/}}
 | colors                 = Black and white <br/> {{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}<ref>{{cite web |title=ETH identity |url=https://www.ethz.ch/services/en/service/communication/corporate-design.html |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref>
}}
'''ETH Zurich''' ({{langx|de|Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich}}; {{langx|en|Federal Institute of Technology Zurich}}) is a [[public university]] in [[Zurich]], Switzerland. Founded in 1854, the university primarily teaches and conducts research in [[science, technology, engineering, and mathematics]] (STEM).

Like its sister institution [[École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne]] (EPFL), ETH Zurich is part of the [[ETH Domain|Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Domain]], a consortium of universities and research institutes under the Swiss [[Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eth-rat.ch/en/eth-board/governance-eth-domain |title=ETH Board – Governance ETH Domain |publisher=ETH-Rat |access-date=1 November 2013 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102232608/http://www.eth-rat.ch/en/eth-board/governance-eth-domain }}</ref> {{As of|2023}}, ETH Zurich enrolled 25,380 students from over 120 countries, of which 4,425 were pursuing doctoral degrees.<ref name="Facts and figures - Students">{{cite web|url=https://ethz.ch/staffnet/en/finance-and-controlling/facts-and-figures/students.html |publisher=ETH Zurich |title=Students }}</ref>

Students, faculty, and researchers affiliated with ETH Zurich include 22 [[Nobel Prize|Nobel laureates]], including [[Albert Einstein]], two [[Fields Medal]]ists, three [[Pritzker Architecture Prize|Pritzker Prize winners]], and one [[Turing Award|Turing Award recipient]].<ref>{{YouTube|ZaD6SwxxkTs|How much  Einstein is there in ETH Zurich?}}</ref> It is a founding member of the [[IDEA League]] and the [[International Alliance of Research Universities]] (IARU), as well as a member of [[CESAER]], the [[League of European Research Universities]] (LERU), and the ENHANCE Alliance.

{{Location map | Switzerland
| caption      = Location: ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| width        = 250
| label        = ETH Zurich
| label-size   = 90
| background   = #DDDD44
| position     = top
| lat_deg      = 47
| lat_min      = 22 <!--{{coor...47|22|0 |8|32|0}} -->
| lon_deg      = 8
| lon_min      = 32
| mark         = Green_pog.svg  | marksize=8
| float        = right
}}

==History==

ETH Zurich was founded on 7 February 1854 by the Swiss Confederation and began giving its first lectures on 16 October 1855 as a polytechnic institute (''eidgenössische polytechnische Schule'') at various sites throughout the city of Zurich.<ref name="hist45-55">{{cite web |title=1848–1855: The polytechnical realisation of a long-held dream |url=https://www.ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich/portrait/history/epochs/1848-1855.html |publisher=ETH Zurich |access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> It initially consisted of six faculties: architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, [[chemistry]], [[forestry]], and an integrated department for mathematics, natural sciences, literature, and social and [[political science]]s.

Locally, it is still known as ''Polytechnikum'' or simply ''Poly'', derived from the original name ''eidgenössische polytechnische Schule'',<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.ethistory.ethz.ch/ |title=ETHistory 1855–2005 |publisher=ETH Zurich |date=2005 |website=ETHistory |access-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> which translates to "federal polytechnic school".<ref>{{cite web |title=1855-1904: Striking a balance between university, factory and laboratory |url=https://ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich/portrait/history/epochs/1855-1904.html |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=ETH Zurich |language=en}}</ref>

ETH Zurich is a federal institute under direct administration by the Swiss government. The creation of a new federal university was heavily disputed at the time; liberals advocated for a "federal university," while conservatives wanted universities to remain under cantonal control, fearing an increase in liberal political power.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ethistory.ethz.ch/besichtigungen/epochen/debatte1/index_EN |title=1848–1855: Polytechnical realization of an old dream |publisher=ETH Zurich |date=31 March 2005 |website=ETHistory |access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> Initially, ETH was co-located in the buildings of the [[University of Zurich]].

From 1905 to 1908, under the presidency of [[Jérôme Franel]], ETH Zurich restructured its course programs to those of a university and was granted the right to award doctorates. The first doctorates were awarded in 1909. In 1911, the institution received its current name, ''Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule''. Another reorganization in 1924 structured the university into 12 departments. Today, it has 16 departments.

ETH Zurich, along with [[EPFL]] and four associated research institutes, forms the "''ETH Domain''" to collaborate on scientific projects.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ethrat.ch/en/eth-domain/overview |title=ETH Domain |publisher=ETH Board |location=Zurich and Berne, Switzerland |access-date=23 February 2015}}</ref>

==Campus==
{{more citations needed|section|date=February 2018}}
ETH Zurich has two campuses, namely ''Zentrum'' and ''Hönggerberg''. The ''Zentrum'' campus grew around the main building, which was constructed 1858–1864 outside and right above the eastern border of the town, but which is nowadays located right in the heart of the city. As the town and university grew, ETH Zurich spread into the surrounding vineyards and later quarters. Because this geographic situation substantially hindered the expansion of ETH Zurich, a new campus was built from 1964 to 1976 on the ''Hönggerberg'', a northern hill in the outskirts of the city. The last major expansion project of this new campus was completed in 2003.<ref name=":0" /> 

===Zentrum campus===
The ''Zentrum'' campus consists of various buildings and institutions throughout the city of Zurich.

The ''Zentrum'' campus houses the:<ref>{{cite web |title=Zentrum campus |url=https://ethz.ch/en/campus/access/zentrum.html |website=ETH Zurich |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref>
* Department of Mathematics (D-MATH)
* Department of Computer Science (D-INFK)
* Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (D-GESS)
* Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET)
* Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT)
* Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS)
* Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (D-EAPS)
* Department of Management, Technology, and Economics (D-MTEC)
* Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST)

[[File:Zürich ETH, Federal Institute of Technology Building (Ank Kumar) 05.jpg|thumb|View onto the main building from the Polyterrasse]]
The main building of ETH Zurich was built from 1858 to 1864 under [[Gustav Zeuner]]; the architect, however, was [[Gottfried Semper]], who was a professor of architecture at ETH Zurich at the time and one of the most important architectural writers and theorists of the age. Semper worked in a [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical style]] that was unique to him; and the namesake and architect of the [[Semperoper]] in Dresden. It emphasized bold and clear massings with a detailing, such as the rusticated ground level and giant order above, that derived in part from the work of [[Andrea Palladio]] and [[Donato Bramante]]. During the construction of the University of Zurich, the south wing of the building was allocated to the University until its own new main building was constructed (1912–1914). At about the same time, Semper's ETH Zurich building was enlarged and received its [[cupola]].<ref name=":0" />
[[File:ETH Zürich am Abend.jpg|thumb|ETH Zurich's main building at night]]
The main building stands directly across the street from the [[University Hospital of Zurich]] and, right alongside the main building of the [[University of Zurich]].

===Hönggerberg campus===

The ''Hönggerberg'' campus is a more classical university campus,<ref>{{cite web |title=Campus Hönggerberg |url=https://www.livingscience.ch/campus-hoenggerberg-zurich/?L=1 |website=livingscience |access-date=10 April 2024 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> consisting mainly of university buildings and student accommodation.

The ''Hönggerberg'' campus houses the:<ref>{{cite web |title=Hönggerberg campus |url=https://ethz.ch/en/campus/access/hoenggerberg.html |website=ETH Zurich |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref>
* Department of Architecture (D-ARCH)
* Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG)
* Department of Materials (D-MATL)
* Department of Biology (D-BIOL)
* Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB)
* Department of Physics (D-PHYS)

There is also an ASVZ sports centre which is accessible to all students and faculty, and includes a gym, beach volleyball court, football field, and martial-arts rooms.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Deutsche BauZeitschrift|url=https://www.dbz.de/artikel/dbz_Gruener_Kristall_am_Waldesrand_ETH_Sport_Center_Science_City_Hoenggerberg_949433.html|access-date=13 November 2020|website=www.dbz.de|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vereinigung der Schweizerischen Hochschuldozierenden, Bulletin|url=http://vsh-aeu.ch/download/177/12_vsh_bulletin_aug_2012_web.pdf#page=27}}</ref> In 2005, ETH Zurich's 150th anniversary, an extensive project called "Science City" for the Hönggerberg Campus was started with the goal to transform the campus into an attractive district based on the principle of sustainability.

== Research and education ==
Undergraduate education at ETH Zurich is marked by the distinctive ''Basisprüfungen'' ("base examinations"), intensive first-year examination blocks, typically encompassing foundational subjects in mathematics, physics, and engineering disciplines. These exams serve both as a filter and as preparation for advanced, research-oriented coursework. Students must pass these examinations within two attempts, with failure rates in mathematics-intensive programmes often reaching between 50% and 60%. Doctoral education at ETH emphasizes hands-on research experience, where PhD candidates are hired directly as paid employees in professors' laboratories, conducting independent research and actively contributing to teaching. Many departments further structure doctoral training through thematic graduate schools, promoting collaborative research with multiple advisers and international cooperation, notably with the University of Zurich.<ref name=":0" />

Its research is especially focused on the STEM areas and ETH hosts several research hubs.

=== ETH AI Center ===
The ETH AI Center is ETH Zurich's central hub for artificial intelligence research. It is an active member of the [[European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems]] (ELLIS), hosting the ELLIS unit in Zurich and offering ELLIS PhD fellowships. Through the Max Planck ETH Center for Learning Systems (CLS), it cooperates closely with the [[Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems]], jointly funding research and supervising doctoral students. 

===Swiss National Supercomputing Center===
The [[Swiss National Supercomputing Centre|Swiss National Supercomputing Center]] is an autonomous organizational unit of the ETH Zurich. It is a national facility based in [[Lugano]]-Cornaredo,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CSCS moves into new computer centre in Lugano |url=https://www.cscs.ch/publications/news/2012/cscs-moves-into-new-computer-centre-in-lugano/ |access-date=28 April 2020 |website=CSCS |language=en}}</ref> offering high-performance computing services for Swiss-based scientists.<ref name="CSCS">[https://www.cscs.ch/about/about-cscs/ Swiss National Supercomputing Center.] Retrieved 4 August 2019</ref> In 2024 it deployed the Alps Supercomputer, existing of over 10,000 [[Hopper (microarchitecture)|H100 Nvidia GPUs]], making it one of the largest academic supercomputers in the world.

=== ETH Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics ===
The ETH Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics (LIB) is a physics laboratory located in Science City. It specializes in [[accelerator mass spectrometry]] (AMS) and the use of [[ion beam]] based techniques with applications in [[archeology]], [[earth sciences]], [[life sciences]], [[Materials science|material sciences]] and [[physics|fundamental physics]].

===Spin-offs===
ETH Zurich promotes technology and knowledge transfer through an entrepreneurial ecosystem to foster spin-offs and start-ups.<ref>[https://ethz.ch/en/industry.html ''Industry & Knowledge Transfer.''] ethz.ch/en/industry. Retrieved 14 October 2022.</ref> As of 2022, 527 ETH Zurich spin-off companies had been created.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spin-off companies of ETH Zurich |url=https://ethz.ch/en/industry/entrepreneurship/explore-startup-portraits-and-success-stories/uebersicht-eth-spin-offs.html}}</ref>

==Rankings and reputation==
{{Infobox university rankings
| ARWU_W = 20 | ARWU_W_year = 2023 | ARWU_W_ref = <ref name="ARWU"/>
| THE_W = 11 | THE_W_year = 2026 | THE_W_ref = <ref name="THE"/>
| QS_W = 7 | QS_W_year = 2026 | QS_W_ref = <ref name=":QSW2026">{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings|title=QS World University Rankings}}</ref>
|QS_Europe=1|QS_Europe_ref=<ref name="QS"/>|QS_Europe_year=2025
|THE_Europe=4|THE_Europe_ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-europe |title=Best universities in Europe 2023 |website=timeshighereducation.com |access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref>|THE_Europe_year=2025}}

Historically, ETH Zurich has achieved its reputation particularly in the fields of [[chemistry]], mathematics, [[physics]] and computer science. There are 22 Nobel laureates who are associated with ETH Zurich, the most recent of whom is [[Didier Queloz]], awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2019. [[Albert Einstein]] is perhaps its most famous alumnus.<ref>{{cite web |title=ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879–1955) |url=http://www.zuerich.com/en/Visitor/Information/facts/famous-zurich-residents/albert-einstein.html |website=Zuerich.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Didier Queloz |url=https://queloz-group.ethz.ch/people/person-detail.MjgzOTU3.TGlzdC80NTc2LC0yNjk4NjczNzI=.html |website=queloz-group.ethz.ch}}</ref>

ETH Zurich is ranked 7th worldwide (first in Switzerland) in the [[QS World University Rankings]] 2025,<ref name="QS">{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-ranking |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=[[QS World University Rankings]]}}</ref> 11th worldwide (first in Switzerland) in the [[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]] 2024,<ref name="THE">{{cite web |date=27 September 2023 |title=World University Rankings 2024 |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2024/world-ranking |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=[[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]]}}</ref> and 20th worldwide in the [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]] 2023.<ref name="ARWU">{{cite web |title=2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities |url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2023 |access-date=15 August 2023 |website=[[Academic Ranking of World Universities]]}}</ref> ETH Zurich ranked 1st in Europe in the 2025 QS Europe rankings.<ref name="QS_Europe">{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings: Europe 2025 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/europe-university-rankings |access-date=28 July 2024 |website=[[QS World University Rankings]]}}</ref> In the 2023 [[Nature Index]] of academic institutions, ETH Zurich ranked 20th worldwide and first in Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 tables: Institutions – academic {{!}} Annual tables {{!}} Nature Index |url=https://www.nature.com/nature-index/annual-tables/2023/institution/academic/all/global |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]}}</ref>

In the 2024 QS Word University Rankings by subject, ETH Zurich was ranked within the top 10 in the world in architecture, engineering and technology, and the natural sciences. It ranked first worldwide in the earth and marine sciences, geology, and geophysics.<ref name="QSSubject">{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings/2024 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=[[QS World University Rankings]]}}</ref> In the 2024 THE World University Rankings by subject, it was the top Swiss university in all ranked subjects.<ref name="THESubject">{{cite web |title=World University Rankings by subject |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/by-subject |website=[[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]]}}</ref> In the 2023 ARWU Subject Ranking, the university was ranked within the top 10 worldwide in civil engineering, water resources, environmental engineering, automation, mathematics, earth sciences, and ecology.<ref name="ARWUSubject">{{cite web |title=ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023 |url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2023 |website=[[Academic Ranking of World Universities]]}}</ref>

==Student life==
[[File:ETH Zurich Albert Einstein Locker ( Ank Kumar) 16.jpg|thumb|[[Albert Einstein]]'s former student locker at ETH Zurich]]

=== Tuition and financial assistance ===
Being a public university, the subsidized (by Swiss federal tax) tuition fees are CHF 730 per semester, regardless of the student's nationality.<ref name="tuition_fees">{{cite web |last1=Zurich |first1=ETH |title=ETH Zurich tuition fees |url=https://ethz.ch/en/studies/financial/tuition-fees.html |website=ethz.ch |publisher=ETH Zurich |access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref> From the autumn semester 2025, tuition fees for foreign students will be tripled to CHF 2190 per semester.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baumann |first=Pierre-Pascal |date=2024-12-06 |title=ETH Board reaches decision in principle for a future-proof organisation and structure within the ETH Domain |url=https://ethrat.ch/en/eth-board-reaches-decision-in-principle-for-a-future-proof-organisation-and-structure-within-the-eth-domain/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=ETH-Rat |language=en-US}}</ref> Both merit and need based scholarships are also available. 

=== Student associations ===
ETH Zurich has well over 100 [[Student society|student associations]].<ref>[https://vseth.ethz.ch/organisations/ List of all Study Associations, Committees, Associated and Recognized Associations of VSETH]. Retrieved 17 May 2023.</ref> Most notable is the VSETH (''Verband der Studierenden an der ETH'') which forms the umbrella organization of all field of study specific student associations and comprises a large variety of committees such as the Student Sustainability Committee and the ETH [[Model United Nations]]. The associations regularly organize events with varying size and popularity. Events of the neighboring University of Zurich are well-attended by ETH Zurich students and vice versa.  

The largest career fair on campus is the ''Polymesse'' which is organized by students in the ''Forum und Contact'' committee of VSETH. Many student associations however organize career fairs specifically for the students in their departments. The VSETH is also the official representation of the student body towards the school and has been working with ETH on various projects with the aim of improving the students' experience at ETH. The representation towards the various departments is handled by the respective student associations. 

ETH Juniors is another student organization. It forms a bridge between industry and ETH Zurich and offers many services for students and companies alike as a student-led consulting group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ethjuniors.ch/en/about-us|title=ETH Juniors|access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref>

=== Sports ===
The Academic Sports Association of Zurich ([[:de:Akademischer Sportverband Zürich|ASVZ]]) offers more than 120 sports.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://portal.asvz.ethz.ch/english/Seiten/default.aspx | title=Academic Sports Association Zurich | access-date=25 January 2017 | archive-date=2 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202093116/http://portal.asvz.ethz.ch/english/Seiten/default.aspx | url-status=dead }}</ref> The biggest annual sports event is the ''SOLA-Stafette'' (SOLA relay race) which consists of 14 sections over a total distance of {{convert|140|km}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://portal.asvz.ethz.ch/news/Seiten/SOLA09.aspx |title=SOLA-Stafette 2009 |access-date=16 July 2009 |archive-date=22 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522170009/http://portal.asvz.ethz.ch/news/Seiten/SOLA09.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Student Project House===
In 2017, ETH Zurich board approved the creation of a "Student Project House" to encourage student projects and foster innovation. A test consisting of a "makerspace" and co-working space was established on the Hönggerberg campus,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://sph.ethz.ch/ |website=ETH Student Project House}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Student Project House |url=https://ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich/education/sph.html |website=ETH Zurich}}</ref> followed by a 6-story space near the ETH Zurich main building. Both locations function as a unified entity for the purpose of qualifications, staffing and decision making. While both makerspaces offer similar tools, the central one is significantly larger and also hosts a rentable auditorium, intended for pitching projects to faculty to gain funding, and a bar. 

Both makerspaces include workspaces for wood- and metalworking, electronics fabrication, as well as an array of [[3D printing|3D-printers]] for students to use at a little over material cost. Both also feature a shop for students to buy items such as resistors in lower quantities than ordinarily, while passing down the savings of bulk purchases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Offers |url=https://sph.ethz.ch/our-services |access-date=8 January 2022 |website=ETH Student Project House |language=en}}</ref> The makerspaces are managed and staffed entirely by students. A new space is expected to open on the Hönggerberg campus in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gasser |first1=Bianca |last2=Meyer |first2=Florian |date=5 October 2020 |title=A place for students to develop their ideas |url=https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2020/10/a-place-for-students-to-develop-their-ideas.html |website=ETH Zurich}}</ref>{{update inline|date=July 2025}}

=== Engineering competitions ===
The ''Swiss Academic Spaceflight Initiative (ARIS)''<ref>{{Cite web |title=ARIS – ARIS Space and Rocket projects in Switzerland |url=https://aris-space.ch/ |access-date=8 January 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> ({{langx|de|link=no|Akademische Raumfahrt Initiative Schweiz}}) is an organisation at ETH Zurich that focuses on the development of space related technologies. The most prominent area of research is in the development of a sounding rocket that is flown yearly at the [[Spaceport America#Spaceport America Cup|Spaceport America Cup]]. The ''AMZ - Academic Motorsports Association''<ref>{{Cite web |title=AMZ Racing |url=https://www.amzracing.ch/ |access-date=8 January 2021 |website=amzracing.ch}}</ref> ({{langx|de|link=no|Akademischer Motorsportverein Zürich}}) is the ETH Zurich's [[Formula Student]] team. ''Swissloop'' is ETH Zurich's newest competition team that is working on the development of a [[hyperloop]] system.
==Traditions==

The ''[[Polyball]]'', which is the biggest decorated ball in Europe,{{cn|date=July 2025}} takes places annually in the main building of ETH and is organized by students and former students in the KOSTA foundation. It has been taking place since the 1880s.

The amicable rivalry between ETH Zurich and its neighbor, the University of Zurich, has been cultivated since 1951 (Uni-Poly). There has been an annual [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]] match between teams from the two institutions on the river [[Limmat]].

There are many regular symposia and conferences at ETH Zurich, most notably the annual ''Wolfgang Pauli Lectures'', in honor of former ETH Zurich Professor [[Wolfgang Pauli]]. Distinct lecturers, among them 24 Nobel laureates, have held lectures of the various fields of [[natural science]]s at this conference since 1962.

==Notable alumni and faculty==
{{Main|List of ETH Zurich people}}

ETH Zurich has produced and attracted many famous scientists, including [[Albert Einstein]] and [[John von Neumann]]. More than twenty [[Nobel laureates]] have either studied at ETH Zurich or were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work achieved at ETH Zurich. Other alumni include scientists who were distinguished with the highest accolades such as the [[Fields Medal]], [[Pritzker Prize]] and [[Turing Award]], among other distinctions in their respective fields. Academic achievements aside, ETH Zurich has been alma mater to many [[Olympic medalists]] and world champions.<gallery class="center" classes="center" mode="nolines">
File:Einstein1921_by_F_Schmutzer_2.jpg|[[Albert Einstein]], 1921 [[Nobel Prize in Physics]] for the photoelectric effect.
File:JohnvonNeumann-LosAlamos.gif|[[John von Neumann]], polymath - pioneer in computing, quantum physics and game theory
File:Wolfgang_Pauli_1937.jpg|[[Wolfgang Pauli]], 1945 [[Nobel Prize in Physics]] for the Pauli-Exclusion principle.
File:Fritz_Haber.png|[[Fritz Haber]], 1918 [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]] for the Haber-Bosch Process
File:2012-06-16_Turing_100_Programming_Languages_Panel_-_Nikalus_Wirth.jpg|[[Niklaus Wirth]], 1984 [[Turing Award]] winner for the programming language [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]]
File:Alessio_Figalli_-2019_(cropped).jpg|[[Alessio Figalli]], 2018 [[Fields Medal]] for his work on [[Partial differential equation|partial differential equations]]
</gallery>

==Related organizations==
===Collegium Helveticum===
The Collegium Helveticum is an Institute for Advanced Study.<ref>[http://www.2018-2019.eurias-fp.eu/iea/collegium-helveticum ''Collegium Helveticum.''] ''eurias'' Network of French Institutes for Advanced Study. Retrieved 4 August 2019</ref>  It is jointly supported and operated by the ETH Zurich, the [[University of Zurich]] and the [[Zurich University of the Arts]]. It is dedicated to transdisciplinary research and acts as a [[think tank]] as well. Fellows are elected for five years to work together on a particular subject. For the period 2016–2020, the research focus is on ''digital societies''.<ref name="CH">[https://collegium.ethz.ch/en/ Website Collegium Helveticum.] Retrieved 4 August 2019</ref>

===ETH Zurich Foundation===
The ETH Zurich Foundation is a legal entity on its own (a Swiss non-profit foundation) and as such not part of the ETH Zurich. Its purpose is to raise funds to support chosen institutes, projects, faculty and students at the ETH Zurich. It receives charitable donations from companies, foundations and private individuals. It can be compared with university [[Financial endowment|endowment]]s in the US. However, the ETH Zurich is a public university so that the funds of this foundation are much smaller than at comparable private universities.<ref>René Donzé: [https://nzzas.nzz.ch/schweiz/eth-sucht-sponsoren-in-deutschland-ld.1375308 ''ETH sucht Sponsoren in Deutschland.''] Neue Zürcher Zeitung am Sonntag, 7 April 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2019</ref> Examples of funded teaching and research are:<ref name="F">[https://www.ethz-foundation.ch/en/foundation/ Website ETH Foundation.] Retrieved 4 August 2019</ref>
* New institutes such as the ''Wyss Translational Center Zurich''<ref>[https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2014/12/eth-and-university-of-zurich-launch-wyss-translational-center-zurich.html ''ETH Zurich and University of Zurich launch Wyss Translational Center.''] ETH Zurich, 12 December 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2019</ref>
* Additional professorships
* [[Rössler Prize]]<ref>[https://www.ethz-foundation.ch/en/roessler-prize/ ''Rössler Prize''.] ETH Zurich Foundation. Retrieved 4 August 2019</ref>
* Pioneer fellowships
* Excellence scholarships<ref>Ruf Lanz: [https://www.persoenlich.com/kategorie-werbung/albert-einstein-wirbt-fur-exzellenz-stipendien ''Albert Einstein wirbt für Exzellenz-Stipendien.''] persoenlich.com, 19 November 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2019</ref>

===Military Academy===
The Military Academy is an institution for the education, training and development of career officers of the Swiss Armed Forces. The scientific part of this organization is attached to the ETH Zurich, while other parts such as training and an assessment center are under the direct management of the [[Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport|defense sector of the Swiss Federal Government]].<ref name="MA">[https://www.vtg.admin.ch/en/organisation/kdo-ausb/hka/milak.html Military Academy (MILAC).] Website Military Academy, Swiss Armed Forces. Retrieved 4 August 2019</ref>

=== ETH Alumni Association ===
The ETH Alumni Association has been in existence since 1889. It has around 35,000 members. Membership is primarily open to former students, though academic faculty and post-docs are also eligible to join as members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.alumni.ethz.ch/en/about-us.html |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Alumni |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Who can become a member? |url=https://www.alumni.ethz.ch/en/welcome/registration/wer-kann-mitglied-werden.html |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Alumni |language=en}}</ref> After the collapse of [[Credit Suisse]] in 2025 the association took over sponsorship of the ''Award for Best Teaching''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Award for Best Teaching |url=https://ethz.ch/en/the-eth-zurich/education/awards/credit-suisse-award-for-best-teaching.html |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=ETH Zurich |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Switzerland}}
*[[École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne|EPFL]]
*[[Laboratory for Energy Conversion]]
*[[List of universities in Switzerland]]
*[[List of largest universities by enrollment in Switzerland]]
*[[List of forestry universities and colleges]]
*[[Science and technology in Switzerland]]
*[[Swiss Electromagnetics Research and Engineering Centre]]
*[[ETH Zurich University Archives]]
*[[Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{Citation |author=David Gugerli |author2=Patrick Kupper |author3=Daniel Speich |title=Die Zukunftsmaschine. Konjunkturen der ETH Zürich 1855–2005. |date=2005 |publisher=CHRONOS |language=de |location=Zurich, Switzerland |url=http://www.ethistory.ethz.ch/besichtigungen/epochen/debatte1/ausblick/werbetext_zukunftsmaschine/popupfriendly/ |via=www.ethistory.ethz.ch}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Official website|https://www.ethz.ch/en.html}}
*{{YouTube|u=ethzurich|ETH Zurich}}
*[https://www.alumni.ethz.ch/en/ ETH Alumni Association]
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