Studies and elite sport

ETH Zurich is committed to offering proven elite athletes feasible ways to combine studies and sport.

The prerequisite for possible special arrangements is the possession of a external pageSwiss Olympic Card (gold, silver, bronze, elite, or talent national).

International students who do not possess a Swiss Olympic Card cannot be granted elite sport status. In exceptional cases, e.g. in case of a nomination for world or continental championships or the Olympic Games, an individual solution may be considered.

Not covered by the "studies and elite sports" regulation are competitive athletes without a Swiss Olympic Card who, for example, are pursuing a professional sporting career in the sense of gainful employment with a regular income. It is the responsibility of all ETH students to assess whether gainful employment alongside their studies is possible in terms of time. In principle, such employment does not entitle the student to any adjustments to their studies. 

Study adjustments for students with elite sport status are assessed separately for each study or examination level or for compulsory internships and the Master's thesis.

For this purpose, students must submit a justified request in due time (see below).

Possible special arrangements/study adjustments are defined in the DownloadInformation sheet on the compatibility of studies and elite sport at ETH Zurich (PDF, 145 KB).

Concessions regarding academic and examination requirements cannot be made. It is also not possible to prepone examinations, to change the examination mode or to take distance examinations.

The very different needs require timely planning that is also dependent on sports, training and competitions. Special arrangements, e.g. for taking examinations or extending the study deadline, must therefore be worked out individually. The necessary planning should, if possible,  already be made at the beginning of the study porgramme in cooperation with the subject advisor of the respective study programme.

Thereafter, a request for special arrangements may be submitted with the following supporting documents, cf. ETH Zurich Ordinance on Performance Assessments (Leistungskontrollenverordnung ETH Zurich): Implementation stipulations determined by the Rector (art. 5, para. 3, item 2):

  • Justification: if necessary, with additional justification from the Student Advisory Service (cf. infomation sheet)
  • Proposed study and examination planning for the corresponding study level
  • Training and competition schedule
  • Copy of the valid Swiss Olympic Card (gold, silver, bronze, elite, or talent national)

Submit to the attention of the Vice Rector for Study Programmes by e-mail to:

Submission deadlines for examinations in:

  • Autumn Semester 2023 (including the winter examination session 2023/2024):
    by Sunday, 15 October 2023 at the latest
  • Spring Semester 2024 (including the summer examination session 2024):
    by Sunday, 17 March 2024 at the latest

These deadlines are mandatory.

Extension of study deadline

In the case of a request to divide examination blocks into different examination sessions or academic years (e.g. for the second or third year of the Bachelor's degree), the remaining duration of studies must also be taken into account when planning the course of studes. If an extension of the study deadline becomes necessary, it must be requested at the same time.

The general information, requirements and deadlines for requests for an extension of the study period apply for all students.

Important information

  • Each request is assessed individually. The resulting individual decision is not transferable to other students.
  • Students with elite sport status are obliged to inform ETH Zurich if the requirements for the status are no longer met (e.g. in case of expiry or nonrenewal of the Swiss Olympic Card, resignation, voluntary or involuntary time out).

If you are unclear or have any questions regarding the planning of your studies, please contact the study advisory service in your degree programme or the counselling & coaching service of Student Services.

Contact

Counselling & Coaching Centre

ETH Zurich
HG F 67-69
Rämistrasse 101
8092 Zurich
Schweiz

Requests

Please submit your complete request to:

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