Study FAQ

Usually not in a formal sense, but in practice they are very worth attending. Exercise sessions often make the lectures much easier to digest and are one of the best places to notice early when you are falling behind.

Not always, but they are strongly recommended. In many courses they are not strictly required for a top grade, yet students who keep up with the bonus work usually understand the material better and perform better in the exam.

No. A tablet can be convenient if you like digital organization, but it is not necessary for succeeding in the program.

Windows, macOS, and Linux are all workable choices. One caveat is that some tools used in hardware-related courses, especially Vivado in Digital Design and Computer Architecture, do not run natively on macOS/Linux. In those cases, working with a partner, using an ETH computer, or setting up a virtual machine can solve the problem. Also note the (BYOD (bring your own device) policy)[https://ethz.ch/students/en/studies/byodstudium.html], which allows you to use your own laptop but may require specific OS.

Not really. If a different exercise session works better for you, it is usually fine to switch for attending. Administrative details like bonus submissions may still depend on your original group, but you are not locked into one TA for learning purposes.

It will probably feel easier than for complete beginners, but it is still worth taking seriously. Even students with prior experience can run into unfamiliar theory, language-specific details, or assignments that are more subtle than they first appear.

You do not need side projects to pass your courses. Still, personal projects can be fun and can help you grow as a programmer, so they are a good option if you enjoy them.

Usually no. Most students postpone GESS and other additional courses until later semesters. You will need them eventually, but they are generally not the first priority during the Basisjahr (especially in the first semester). It is often better to focus on the core CS courses first and then fit in GESS courses once you have a better sense of your schedule, interests and workload.

The first semester usually includes four major building blocks:

• Introduction to Programming focuses on Java, object-oriented programming, and formal basics.
• Discrete Mathematics is about proofs, logic, algebraic structures, and classic CS applications.
• Linear Algebra covers matrices, systems of equations, and mathematical tools used later on.
• Algorithms and Data Structures introduces efficient problem solving and algorithmic thinking.

The second semester continues the math and systems foundation:

• Analysis I is more rigorous than high-school calculus and emphasizes why things work.
• Algorithms and Probability continues the algorithms track with randomized methods.
• Parallel Programming introduces concurrent thinking and multi-core programming challenges.
• Digital Design and Computer Architecture explains how computers work at a lower level.

The official semester enrolment window is usually announced by email. As a rule of thumb, enrolment for the autumn semester opens around mid-July, and enrolment for the spring semester opens around mid-December.

In practice, students often expect this to happen on the first or second Wednesday of July and on the second or third Wednesday of December, typically in the morning.

For the official process, see the ETH semester enrolment page. For language courses, check the Language Center. For course catalogue timing, see the VVZ publication dates.

A common rule of thumb is that exam dates for the autumn semester are published around the end of November, and exam dates for the spring semester around the end of May.

The official information is published via ETH under the examination schedules for end-of-semester exams and session exams: examination information.

Grades are typically released after the Notenkonferenz, although some results can appear earlier if they are not part of that discussion. Graded semester performances can also be published separately and sometimes earlier, depending on the course.

A common rule of thumb is that the Notenkonferenz takes place on a Wednesday in the first week of the spring semester and on a Wednesday in the week before the autumn semester starts.

Department dates are listed in the ETH departmental calendar.

The safest source is always the official academic calendar. If you are unsure whether a day belongs to lecture time, exam time, or a break, check the academic calendar.

For everyday life in Switzerland, students often recommend tools for transport, weather, maps, second-chance food offers, and bike rental. For ETH itself, the main apps people tend to use are EduApp, the ETH Zurich app, and ASVZ.

Local tests only cover part of the story. Final submissions are checked against additional hidden test cases, so edge cases, performance issues, or misunderstood requirements can still cause a wrong answer.

Please get support early. You do not need to handle this alone. ETH and related student support services offer several ways to talk to someone, including low-threshold and anonymous options as well as professional counseling.

Useful starting points:

• Nightline Zurich
• Psychological Counseling Service of UZH and ETH
• ETH student support services overview

If you need support with personal, academic, or administrative issues, there are several good contact points. A broad student-run entry point is the VSETH help page and its helpdesk.

For anonymous listening and support, students also recommend Nightline Zurich.

The degree becomes much more flexible after the first year. A good first step is to map your remaining categories and credits before each semester so you can see what is still missing and what tradeoffs you are making.

• First-year courses are the Basisjahr block.
• Basic courses are the core second-year requirements; you need to pass most of them.
• Core subjects are the more specialized bachelor-level CS courses.
• GESS courses cover humanities, social sciences, and related complementary areas.
• Seminars usually involve reading papers and giving a presentation.
• Minor courses are often outside the immediate CS core and may come from other departments.
• Electives are additional CS courses that do not fall into the earlier required categories.
• The bachelor thesis usually comes later, after enough prerequisite coursework has been passed.

The official structure suggests a rough order, but there is flexibility. Many students follow the department’s recommended progression for the basic and core courses, then fit in GESS, seminars, electives, and minor courses around that. It is also common to take longer than six semesters, especially to reduce pressure or make room for broader course choices.

Look at the available courses in the relevant category, then combine official information with student experience. Reviews, older students, and course websites are often the best way to understand workload, style, and grading in practice.

Start with the VVZ entry. It usually tells you whether the course ends with a session exam, semester-end exam, or graded semester performance. If the exact details are still unclear, check the course website or ask in the first two weeks, when grading is usually explained.

The VVZ listing is usually the first place to check. If a course does not fit neatly into your study plan or you want to count a course from another level or department, the study administration can clarify what is possible.

Usually toward the end of the bachelor’s degree, once you begin deciding on your direction and possible specializations.

Not automatically. The pressure usually changes rather than disappears. Later semesters often have a higher pass rate, but difficult courses still exist, and planning remains important.