ETH Zürich: Info about Language, Engineering & Technology

[chrisych]

Does anyone know about ETH Zürich?

This university is very good in my mind, especially, in engineering and technology.

What is the major teaching language in this university?

Is it German? I think German is very difficult to learn.

 

[beta3]

I'm currently considering studying at ETH.
It's one of the best universities in Europe and in the world. Its focus is on natural sciences, mathematics and engineering (ETH = Eidgenoesssische Technische Hochschule = Federal Institute of Technology)

The first two years of undergraduate level are mostly taught in German, after that English becomes the primary language (more than 60% of lecturers are foreigners)

German difficult to learn? It depends on you. Is English your native tongue? Do you know any other languages?

From where are you?

 

[chrisych]

The laboratory facilities are very good at that university.

I am Chinese and come from Hong Kong.

Cantonese is my native tongue.

 

[beta3]

Ok, in this case it will be rather hard for you to master German (because Cantonese/Chinese has no internal structure comparable to German). In this case I'd suggest to go for graduate studies to ETH Zurich (Master or PhD) where all lectures are in English.

 

[eastside00_99]

But, don't they make you take a test of proficiency in German even if you are doing a course of study in english. I know for the Masters program which is taught in english they require that you pass a test in german.

 

[chrisych]

Ok, in this case it will be rather hard for you to master German (because Cantonese/Chinese has no internal structure comparable to German). In this case I'd suggest to go for graduate studies to ETH Zurich (Master or PhD) where all lectures are in English.

I would like to apply for a research degree in ETH Zürich.

I have sent e-mail to my potential supervisor but still get no response.

I hope I will be able to hear from him very soon.

 

[chrisych]

But, don't they make you take a test of proficiency in German even if you are doing a course of study in english. I know for the Masters program which is taught in english they require that you pass a test in german.

A test in German? Is it a standard test like IELTS or TOEFL in English?

 

[eastside00_99]

OH, sorry, I was thinking of UZH (university of zurich).

Yeah, I don't see anything about a a german test. But, going to this school is going to be expensive (just consider the cost of living in zurich alone).

 

[beta3]

OH, sorry, I was thinking of UZH (university of zurich).

Yeah, I don't see anything about a a german test. But, going to this school is going to be expensive (just consider the cost of living in zurich alone).

If you do your PhD there, you are employed by the university and get paid. (between 50 000 und 80 000 CHF per annum)



But I never heard that someone had to do a German test when they want to do a PhD (for Undergraduate this may be the case). But you need to do one if you apply for German/Swiss/Austrian citizenship.

 

[eastside00_99]

Oh, I thought about applying to do a Ph.D. in Zurich at UZH. I contacted someone and they said that I would have to take a german test. I want to live in Switzerland though, but it is just not feasible for me to do that I guess.

 

[chrisych]

If you do your PhD there, you are employed by the university and get paid. (between 50 000 und 80 000 CHF per annum)



But I never heard that someone had to do a German test when they want to do a PhD (for Undergraduate this may be the case). But you need to do one if you apply for German/Swiss/Austrian citizenship.

The paid is very attractive, that's why I still get no response from my potential supervisor.