ETH Zurich, ranked #7 globally (QS Ranking), stands as a pinnacle of scientific innovation and education. For ambitious Indian students with a Bachelor’s degree, ETH offers a Direct Doctorate (DD) Program — a fully funded, high-impact academic journey through the beautiful academic landscape of Switzerland.

What is a Direct Doctorate (DD)?

The Direct Doctorate at ETH Zurich is a 5-year integrated program combining

• ✔ A complete Master’s degree
• ✔  Followed by a full-fledged PhD

Unlike traditional PhD paths that require a standalone Master’s beforehand, this prestigious route allows highly meritorious B. Tech/BE graduates to skip the standalone Master’s entry and dive straight into an integrated MS + PhD research journey.

Why Choose the DD at ETH Zurich?

• Full Fee Waiver (MS + PhD)
• Attractive Scholarships during MS
• Monthly Salary during PhD
• Research in Top-Ranked Labs
• Global Work-Life Balance in Switzerland
• High Savings Potential (₹1.5+ Lakh/month post-tax possible)

ETH Zurich’s eco-cultural system ensures academic excellence, mental well-being, and a balanced life amidst Switzerland’s natural beauty.

Research Areas & Advisors

Research Areas                                                                                             Advisors

Combustion Instabilities of Hydrogen Flames                                              –  Anna Michailidis

Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Risk                                           –  Stephan M. Wagner

Bioinformatics, Structural Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology            –    Prof. Platt

Solid Mechanics, Physics and Mathematics, Computational Sciences         – David Kammer

Nanomaterial Engineering, Microfluidics, Electrochemistry                       –   Jing Wang

Polymer Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry                 –   Tae-Lim Choi

Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology           –     Markus Kunzler

Micro-nanofabrication, Optical materials, Bio sensing                                –   Jing Wang

Continuum mechanics, fracture mechanics, phase field modeling              – Laura De Lorenzis

Sustainable Robotics                                                                                     – Hedan Bai

Specializations Offered

Direct Doctorate is offered in:

• Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Electrical Engineering
• Information Technology
• Physics

Application Deadline: November 30, 2025
Program Starts: September 2026 (Autumn Semester)

Scholarships & Salary

Stage               Support          Amount (CHF)

MS                  Scholarship      CHF 24,000/year (~₹20 Lakh)

PhD                 Salary              CHF 3,500–5,000/month

Savings Approx. – ₹1.5 Lakh/month possible

• Currency: CHF = Swiss Franc (1 CHF ≈ ₹102.66)
• ESOP scholarships are not applicable for DD candidates

Required Documents

For Computer Science DD:

• Motivation Letter: Include research background, preferred research groups, and future goals.

For Other Programs (Chemistry, Math, EE, etc.):

• Motivation Letter (discipline-specific)
• Letter of Financial Support: Confirmation from ETH professor for scholarship + salary during MS and PhD

How Can Team YourPedia Help You?

Team YourPedia provides complete end-to-end support for ETH Zurich’s Direct Doctorate applications:

1.      Doing detailed profile assessment of your academic and research background & Switzerland PhD without masters ETH Zurich research opportunities Indian students in Europe PhD abroad for Indian engineering graduates Fully funded, suggesting the probability of your success (Call 9896803797)

2.      Helping you identify your research domain and prospective supervisor in ETH Zurich

3.      Helping you to draft WARM MAIL to prospective professor in ETH Zurich

4.      Helping you with documentations (CV Cover letters, etc.)

5.      Helping you clear IELTS (language proficiency exam required for admission)

6.      Application filing

7.      Preparation for interaction with Professor

8.      Any other help as and when required

Responsibilities of the Candidate:

Once you are allowed by YourPedia mentors to get registered with the module, you are to do certain activities consistently:

• Prepare for IELTS with YourPedia mentors
• Review professor research profiles (as provided) and find overlapping areas
• Draft and submit the first email to professors using YourPedia’s reference format
• Mail professors consistently under mentor guidance
• Attend scheduled mentor sessions and stay actively involved

Interested?

For personalized profile assessment and guidance:
Contact: Ishita (+91 9896803797)
YourPedia Global: Your pathway to global research dreams

Final Thoughts

ETH Zurich’s Direct Doctorate is more than just a degree — it’s a research lifestyle, with strong funding, global exposure, and an entry into one of the world’s most respected institutions. If you’re a driven B. Tech/BE graduates with a research mindset, this is your call to Switzerland!