FAQ MAS

Yes. If you will have completed a Master’s degree by early July 2026, you can apply to the MAS programme.  

Students should have proficiency in English, other languages are an advantage, but not required. The admission procedure, including interviews, is conducted in English.

The MAS is suitable for people who want to transfer into a career in international cooperation. We recommend the CAS programme to people who already have experience or have a career in the international cooperation sector and want to deepen or widen their expertise.  

International development cooperation needs people with diverse backgrounds, skills, and interests. Consequently, the MAS programme is interdisciplinary and suitable for graduates of all disciplines. Applicants should hold a Master's degree from a university recognized by ETH Zürich. Applicants without a Master’s degree may be admitted to the selection process if they have another tertiary degree and minimum 24 months of professional experience and/or relevant additional qualifications.

Based on the received applications, NADEL invites about 50 applicants to an interview with both staff at NADEL and external experts from the field of development cooperation. These interviews take place in the beginning of May. Successful candidates will receive an offer for enrolment in the MAS programme before the end of May.  

Admission is based on the application papers and the selection interview. Important criteria for the selection of successful candidates are:

• Quality of the application papers (including grades and professional experience),
• Career prospects,
• Outcome of the selection interview,
• Diversity in the future MAS class (discipline and gender).
   

Minimum duration is 18 months, from September 2026 to February 2028. In this case, you complete the 2nd study semester immediately after the on-the-job training (between November 2027 and February 2028). You can also accept a job offer after the on-the-job training and complete the block courses of the 2nd study semester until June 2030 at the latest.

The 1st study semester at ETH and the JPO assignment abroad are both full-time and require full-time attendance. The 2nd study semester consists of about six block courses and can be completed on a part-time basis within a period of two and a half years.  

The MAS at ETH NADEL offers students the unique opportunity to acquire on-the-job training as Junior Professional Officers in an international organization for eight months, as an integral part of the education. The study programme is multidisciplinary and policy oriented and is taught by lecturers from both academia and practice.  

Students from high-income countries will do their on-the-job training around the world. MAS students from low- and middle-income countries will do their on-the-job training in Switzerland.

No. NADEL works with approximately 30 partner organizations, who submit proposals for JPO assignments to NADEL. Based on background, interest, language skills etc., the organizations indicate to which student(s) the offer should be given. If you wish to pursue your own JPO assignment, this is also possible. In this case, please make sure you discuss the option with a NADEL staff member as soon as possible after acceptance into the programme.  

Your partner/family can accompany you to the country where you will do your on-the-job training. However, you will have to arrange and finance this by yourselves. Neither ETH nor the host organization will be able to take responsibility for the security of visiting family members of MAS students. Travelling abroad with children is possible, but may lead to some restrictions regarding the selection of country and location.  

The MAS in Global Cooperation and Sustainable Development is an investment, and unfortunately, ETH offers no scholarship opportunities for MAS students. A limited number of scholarships will be available for students from low-income countries. 

In addition to costs of living while studying at ETH, the MAS study fee amounts to CHF 6'260 for the entire programme. For the on-the-job training abroad, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) covers travel to/from country and a contribution to the basic costs of living in country (including rent). In addition, health insurance abroad, vaccinations, visa and medical examinations prior to and after assignment will be covered.

No, the study fee of CHF 6'260 is paid in two instalments – 50% at the beginning of the first semester and the remaining 50% at the beginning of the second semester.