ETH Zurich (German: Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich; English: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich) is a public university in Zurich, Switzerland. Founded by the Swiss federal government in 1854, the university primarily teaches and conducts research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Like its sister institution École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ETH Zurich is part of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Domain, a consortium of universities and research institutes under the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research. As of 2025, ETH Zurich enrolled 26,942 students, of whom 4,266 were pursuing doctoral degrees.
Students, faculty, and researchers affiliated with ETH Zurich include 22 Nobel laureates, including Albert Einstein; 2 Fields Medalists; 3 Pritzker Prize winners; and 1 Turing Award recipient. It is a founding member of the IDEA League and the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), as well as a member of CESAER, the League of European Research Universities (LERU), and the ENHANCE Alliance.
ETH Zurich was founded on 7 February 1854 by the Swiss Confederation and began giving its first lectures on 16 October 1855 as a polytechnic institute (eidgenössische polytechnische Schule) at various sites throughout the city of Zurich. It initially consisted of six faculties: architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, forestry, and an integrated department for mathematics, natural sciences, literature, and social and political sciences.
Locally, it is still known as Polytechnikum or simply Poly, derived from the original name eidgenössische polytechnische Schule, which translates to "federal polytechnic school".
ETH Zurich is a federal institute under direct administration by the Swiss government. The creation of a new federal university was heavily disputed at the time; liberals advocated for a "federal university," while conservatives wanted universities to remain under cantonal control, fearing an increase in liberal political power. Initially, ETH was co-located in the buildings of the University of Zurich.
From 1905 to 1908, under the presidency of Jérôme Franel, ETH Zurich restructured its course programs to those of a university and was granted the right to award doctorates. The first doctorates were awarded in 1909. In 1911, the institution received its current name, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule. Another reorganization in 1924 structured the university into 12 departments. Today, it has 16 departments.
ETH Zurich, along with EPFL and four associated research institutes, forms the "ETH Domain" to collaborate on scientific projects.
ETH Zurich has two campuses, namely Zentrum and Hönggerberg; since 2007, ETH Zurich is also present in Basel with one department. The Zentrum campus grew around the main building, which was constructed 1858–1864.
The Zentrum campus consists of various buildings and institutions throughout the city of Zurich.
The Zentrum campus houses the:
Department of Mathematics (D-MATH)
Department of Computer Science (D-INFK)
Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences (D-GESS)
Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET)
Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT)
Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS)
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (D-EAPS)