Coursework at ETH Zurich is an integral part of the joint Master’s in Cyber Security.
As an EPFL student, you must begin your Master’s program in Lausanne. After completing your first semester at EPFL, you are required to complete between 20 and 35 ECTS at ETH Zurich.
How and when you complete these credits depends on:
- when you started the Master’s program; and
- for students starting in Autumn 2026 or later, which study option you choose.
Which option applies to you?
Students who started before Autumn 2026
You must complete one mandatory semester at ETH Zurich. See Mandatory semester at ETH Zurich.
Students starting in Autumn 2026 or later
During your first semester, you must choose one of the following options:
- Residential semester: This option may suit you if you prefer to complete your ETH Zurich credits within a single semester while living in Zurich. After your first semester at EPFL, you must register for at least 20 ECTS at ETH Zurich during that semester. This option may include a mobility stipend and, for the Spring semester, access to pre-booked accommodation.
- Flexible option: This option may suit you if you prefer to spread your ETH Zurich credits over more than one semester after your first semester at EPFL, while taking courses at both institutions concurrently without relocating to Zurich. This option does not include a mobility stipend or access to pre-booked accommodation in the Spring semester.
The IC Section will send you a form midway through your first semester at EPFL so that you can confirm your choice. If your plans change after you have submitted the form, please contact the IC Section before making any changes to your study arrangements.
Options at a glance
| Mandatory semester | Residential semester | Flexible option | |
| Who is it for? | Students who started before Autumn 2026 | Students starting in Autumn 2026 or later | Students starting in Autumn 2026 or later |
| ETH Zurich credits | At least 20 ECTS during one semester; up to 35 ECTS | At least 20 ECTS during the residential semester; up to 35 ECTS | At least 20 ECTS; up to 35 ECTS distributed across multiple semesters |
| Relocation to Zurich | Required | Required | Not required |
| Mobility stipend | Available, subject to applicable conditions | Available, subject to applicable conditions | Does not apply |
| Pre-booked accommodation in the Spring semester | Limited places available | Limited places available | Does not apply |
| Pre-booked accommodation in the Autumn semester | Not available | Not available | Does not apply |
| EPFL courses in parallel | Not permitted. Semester fully dedicated to ETH Zurich credits | Permitted, alongside the 20-ECTS minimum at ETH Zurich | Permitted |
| Required form | Cyber Security Learning Agreement | ETH Zurich Study Plan Form | ETH Zurich Study Plan Form |
Who does this apply to?
This pathway applies to students who started the Master’s program before Autumn 2026.
You remain subject to the regulations in effect when you entered the program and must complete one mandatory semester at ETH Zurich after your first semester at EPFL.
During this semester, you must complete between 20 and 35 ECTS at ETH Zurich.
Registration
The IC Section will send you registration instructions by email:
- in April for a semester at ETH Zurich during the following Autumn semester; or
- in October for a semester at ETH Zurich during the following Spring semester.
Follow the instructions in the email to register for your semester at ETH Zurich.
Learning Agreement
Once the ETH Zurich Cyber Security course list for the relevant semester has been published, complete the Cyber Security Learning Agreement.
List all the courses you plan to take at ETH Zurich and submit the Learning Agreement to the IC Section before the beginning of the semester.
You may modify your course selection during the first two weeks of the ETH Zurich semester. Any changes must be approved and communicated promptly to Jasmine Locatelli.
Courses that have not been approved may not be recognized toward your degree.
Stipend and accommodation
See Practical information for students relocating to Zurich.
Who does this apply to?
This option is available to students who start the Master’s program in Autumn 2026 or later and choose to spend one semester studying in Zurich after their first semester at EPFL.
Under this option, you must:
- relocate to Zurich for one semester; and
- register for at least 20 ECTS up to a maximum of 35 ECTS at ETH Zurich during that semester.
Other credits required for your Master’s cycle may be completed at EPFL, either during the same semester or another semester. You are responsible for meeting all applicable requirements including course attendance and examination registration deadlines.
Confirming your choice
The IC Section will send you a form midway through your first semester at EPFL so that you can confirm your choice. Use the form to confirm:
- that you have selected the residential semester option; and
- the semester during which you plan to relocate to Zurich.
Review the available courses and your overall study plan before submitting the form.
If you later need to change your selected semester or study option, contact Jasmine Locatelli before making any changes.
ETH Zurich study plan
Once the ETH Zurich Cyber Security course list for the relevant semester has been published, complete the [ETH Zurich study plan form].
List all the courses you plan to take and submit the form to the IC Section before the beginning of your semester in Zurich.
You may modify your course selection during the first two weeks of the ETH Zurich semester. Any changes must be approved and communicated promptly to Jasmine Locatelli.
Courses that have not been approved may not be recognized toward your degree.
Stipend and accommodation
See Practical information for students relocating to Zurich.
Who does this apply to?
This option is available to students who start the Master’s program in Autumn 2026 or later and choose to spread their ETH Zurich credits over more than one semester after their first semester at EPFL, while taking courses at both institutions concurrently without relocating to Zurich.
Under this option:
- you must complete between 20 and 35 ECTS at ETH Zurich.
- there is no minimum number of ETH Zurich credits that you must register for in any individual semester.
- you may take courses at EPFL and ETH Zurich during the same semester.
Confirming your choice
The IC Section will send you a form midway through your first semester at EPFL so that you can confirm your choice. Use the form to confirm that you have selected the flexible option.
Review the available courses and your overall study plan before submitting the form.
If you later need to change your study option, contact Jasmine Locatelli before making any changes.
Planning your studies
At the end of your first semester, the IC Section will ask you to complete the [ETH Zurich study plan form].
Your study plan must list the courses you intend to take at ETH Zurich. You are responsible for keeping it up to date throughout your Master’s studies.
Taking courses at both institutions
You are responsible for ensuring that your course selection between EPFL and ETH Zurich is compatible.
Even if lectures can be followed remotely, you are responsible for meeting all course requirements at EPFL and ETH Zurich, including attending examinations, midterm assessments, laboratory sessions, exercise sessions, presentations, or any other mandatory activities activities in person where required. You should not request special arrangements from teachers at either institution. Travel to ETH Zurich for single-day visits may still be required.
Scheduling conflicts cannot be ruled out.
Changes to your study plan
You may modify your course selection during the first two weeks of the ETH Zurich semester. Any changes must be approved and should be communicated promptly to Jasmine Locatelli.
Courses that have not been approved may not be recognized toward your degree.
Stipend and accommodation
The flexible option does not include a mobility stipend or access to pre-booked accommodation during the Spring semester.
Information for all students
The following information applies to all students taking courses at ETH Zurich, regardless of their pathway.
ETH Zurich course lists
- View the approved Cyber Security course list
- Search the ETH Zurich course catalogue
Master’s-level courses at ETH Zurich are generally stable, but there is no guarantee that a particular course will be offered every year.
The final Cyber Security course list is usually available:
- by the end of November for the following Spring semester; and
- by the beginning of June for the following Autumn semester.
Always check the ETH Zurich course catalogue before confirming or updating your study plan.
Academic regulations at ETH Zurich
While taking courses at ETH Zurich, you are subject to ETH Zurich’s academic regulations, procedures and deadlines.
You are responsible for meeting all applicable requirements, including course attendance and examination registration deadlines.
Important: Examination registration at ETH Zurich is a separate process and takes place during the third and fourth weeks of the semester. See Registering for examinations at ETH Zurich.
Requests for special study or examination arrangements for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses must be submitted directly to ETH Zurich. See Requests for special study arrangements at ETH Zurich.
Practical information for students relocating to Zurich
This section applies to:
- students completing a mandatory semester at ETH Zurich; and
- students choosing the residential semester option.
It does not apply to students following the flexible option.
Mobility stipend
Students completing a mandatory semester, or registering for at least 20 ECTS under the residential semester option, may receive a mobility stipend subject to the applicable conditions and proof of relocation to Zurich.
The IC Section will send you further details before your semester at ETH Zurich.
Accommodation
Spring semester
A limited number of places in pre-booked accommodation is available.
After completing the registration process, you will receive an offer for a furnished room from the ETH Zurich International Students Office. You are responsible for paying the rent and complying with the conditions stated in the accommodation offer.
Autumn semester
You are responsible for finding accommodation independently. The following resources may help:
Begin your search as early as possible.
Residence registration
If you relocate to Zurich, you are advised to keep your primary residence in the canton of Vaud. Further information is available here.
Within 14 days of arriving in the canton of Zurich, you must register your secondary residence (Wochenaufenthalt) with the appropriate Kreisbüro.
Contact
The Administrative Specialist of your Master’s program is your first point of contact for all queries about your study plan, courses and program rules. Please contact:
Cyber Security
[email protected]
Tel: + 41 21 693 28 50
Office Hours – INN 112
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10:00 > 12:00
Monday, Thursday: 14:00 > 16:00