studying at ETH Zurich, how difficult is it?

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1
Hi!

I have admitted to a ETH Master programme of environ. engineering, but since a bit of time I have doubts if it is possible to complete it. As I have read in other forums and official statistic, only 60% of the ones who begin this programme will get the degree. Well, I know it is hard to study there, but I would like to hear the stories of students how was it, and so decide myself.

Thankee.

2
You call that hard? When I started at the University of Zurich in the 'sixties, we all knew that only about 12% of us would make it. And that's how it was. Most of the other 88% now are lawyers, politicians or both.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

3
Wow, Aachim, funny that you just posted as I'm considering applying to this very same program and therefore what you've just been through in terms of applying may lay ahead of me. I'd love to get your story about the application process (pre-req coverage based on your background, administrator/faculty contact, overall experience). Otherwise, best of luck!

4
I got in the same program and I am very excited about it.

I hear it is a difficult yet great program and I don't think we should get discouraged

5
Ok, here is my application-story in case someone might find it helpful.

I have a BSc in Landscape geochemistry and Soil chemistry at Lomonosov MSU with a GPA 4.5 of 5. Despite I had a lot of corresponding subjects with my future MA, the univeristy is not the best one you can get. I also think my highlights were good german and an intership in USGS.

The process was totaly painless but I had to write a small piece of information about every course I have ever attended as well as amount of hours I have spent on them.

Another important thing is that at the moment of sending my application I was still studing so I coudn't do a complete one. Yet, I am admitted.

Now it seems to me that the main part of selection will happen during the first session. D-BAUG report says that last year around 60 people started it and 35 got the degree.

6
I was also scared before coming here.

After a year here, I think it's really doable.

Some lectures require a lot of homework just to get a "testat" (a right to take the exam).

Some lectures are really easy and going through notes a few hours before exam is enough.

Overall, I found it harder than in UK but easier than in France.

But it really depends on your course ... It is weird that 60% people only pass. In my program, when you fail, you have many chances to take the exam again (at different times during the year).

7
I think 60% is a good rate... it accounts for some failures - some drop-outs (more than you imagine), some stopping to take a break, facts of life...

Any easier, and it would not be worth your while doing.

8
I would say the fact that only 60% complete the degree doesn't have a lot to do with the difficulty. As already mentioned people will leave for different reasons, and I very much doubt that 40% fail or quit because it's too hard. I'm also a current student, but in physics, and I would describe it as challenging. But this is good, too easy and it would be boring.

Did you already look at the courses offered? Check out the course catalogue vvz.ethz.ch . Some courses may have publicly available material, also check the course page and the group/lecturer homepage. This should give you a good idea of what's expected. Though looking at the courses for your master it looks like you'll have to do a lot of courses. Many of them are around 3 credits, and you need 120 (though a big chunk of this will be your master thesis and practical work).

Good Luck

9
I did the ETH (admittedly about 15 years ago, but going back there today it really seems to me that nothing whatsoever has changed) and my impression is that anybody with a brain and some determination can do it. You hear from other universities how they intentionally try to trap you or catch you out so they can fail you. Definitely at the ETH that never happened to me and I never heard that it happened to anybody else. In fact in oral exams my impression was always that the examiner was on my side, so if I messed up on an answer he wouldn't drill down or rub it in but move onto something else giving me the chance to make good some of the damage.

10
Any chance you can cite these official statistics?

I am currently working on my last Master Thesis in D-ITET but over the course of my studies I had struggled and once thought about giving up. I failed three exams so far and had to retake them. One of them were the D-GESS (humanity course) and I just didn't have the time to study but retaking it made it easier.

The rest was mostly just climbing on the edge. I sense that I simply had a very different course structure during my bachelor degree (MSU), specifically I found that I hadn't learned enough Linear Algebra and Statistics which are quite heavily used in the subjects I studied here.

It eventually worked out though despite all the pain, assuming I actually pass the master thesis then I'll be graduating next June (2015).

11
Only 20% of the students that started my UK Uni course, finished the 3 years and got a degree! Most dropped out or were kicked out after the first year, a few more failed second year!

12
Given he posted in 2011 I'm guessing he will have graduated by now.

13
That would have made even better source of information (if he succeeded or what not) no?

14
I must learn to check the dates