ETH Zürich

FACTS ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Freedom and individual responsibility, entrepreneurial spirit and open-mindedness:

ETH Zürich stands on a bedrock of true Swiss values.

1854

Founded

24500

Students from 120 countries
(one third are females)

1848M

Financing (operating revenue)
(CHF million)

9718

Employees

Departments

WHERE THE FUTURE BEGINS

Freedom and personal responsibility, entrepreneurial spirit and cosmopolitanism: the values of Switzerland are the foundation of ETH Zürich. The roots of our technical and scientific university go back to 1855, when the founders of modern Switzerland created this place of innovation and knowledge. Students find an environment at ETH Zürich that fosters independent thinking, researchers a climate that inspires excellence. In the heart of Europe and globally networked, ETH Zürich develops solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

530 professors educate around 20,500 students - including 4100 doctoral students - from over 120 countries. Together, they conduct research in natural and engineering sciences, architecture, mathematics, system-oriented sciences, and management and social sciences. The findings and innovations of ETH researchers flow into the most promising sectors of the Swiss economy: from computer science to micro- and nanotechnology to high-tech medicine. Each year, ETH registers 90 patents and 200 inventions. Since 1996, 380 spin-off companies have emerged from the university. ETH also enjoys an excellent reputation in scientific circles: 21 Nobel Prize winners have studied, taught or conducted research here, and in international rankings ETH Zürich is regularly rated as one of the world's best universities.

MAIN FOCUS AREAS

In order to cope with humanity’s major challenges, a combination of disciplinary approaches in multidisciplinary teams, or a multidisciplinary approach, is often necessary. This is why ETH Zürich concentrates on several main focus areas in addition to departmental activities. The research focuses on the needs of society – be that at a local, national or global level – and so makes a valuable contribution to politics, the economy and society.

Health and medicine

Ageing societies in industrialised countries require technological solutions for prevention, diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation. These solutions must be affordable and sustainable across generations. Similar solutions can and should be used to open up access to medical services for all. New medical approaches are being developed with the help of data science, digitalisation, and new technologies in engineering and the life sciences.

Data and information

Our society has been permeated by digitalisation, social networks, artificial intelligence and other IT-based innovations. The consequences of these disruptions – for instance, changes in the working world, or issues surrounding security and privacy – are fundamental in nature and closely linked to technological developments.

Responsibility and Sustainability

The scope and complexity of the urgent challenges of our time require a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that calls for open cooperation between people who think and act critically. According to the ETH Act, teaching and research are guided by respect for human dignity, responsibility in the use of natural resources and the environment together with an evaluation of the consequences of technological applications. In order to live up to these principles, we integrate sustainability into our research activities and our daily actions.

Materials and Manufacturing

New sustainable, resource-saving materials and production technologies are of great importance to the economy and the prosperity of Switzerland and around the world. Digitalisation is fundamentally transforming the landscape when it comes to material development, constructive design and manufacturing technologies, and the reuse and recycling of materials. These developments are leading to more flexibility, productivity and quality.

LEADING THE WAY SINCE 1855

Our university for science and technology dates back to the year 1855, when the founders of modern-day Switzerland created it as a centre of innovation and knowledge.

At ETH Zürich, students discover an ideal environment for independent thinking, researchers a climate which inspires top performance. Situated in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, ETH Zürich is pioneering effective solutions to the global challenges of today and tomorrow.