D-INFK: Computer Science
You must fulfill the conditions of the Student Exchange Office as well as of the chosen exchange programmes and partner universities. In addition, the following prerequisites and conditions apply to students at D-INFK:
- Bachelor's degree students Computer Science must have passed the First Year Examinations with an average grade of at least 4.5 at the time of application. In addition, 7 out of the 8 Basic Courses must be successfully completed by the beginning of the exchange. Request an exception from the mobility advisor if the examination session at ETH and the start of the exchange semester overlap.
- Master's degree students in Computer Science or in Data Science must have passed the First Year Examinations with a minimum average grade of 4.5, or obtained their Bachelor's degree with the minimum average grade of 4.5. You can only take part in an exchange programme involving courses if you have obtained your Bachelor's degree from ETH Zurich (not necessarily in Computer Science).
Master’s degree students in Cyber Security cannot participate in the exchange programmes: One semester at EPFL is already a compulsory part of their study programme. No further credits from a semester mobility will be recognized for the degree.
- If you have not reached an average grade of 4.5 in the First Year Examinations, qualifications in later phases of the studies are possible in the Bachelor's as well as in the Master's degree programmes.
- Higher grades are required for certain partner universities: A minimum GPA of 5.0 is a prerequisite for admission to the graduate exchange programme at the University of Toronto. A minimum GPA of 5.5 is required for applications for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Princeton University, and University of Pennsylvania.
- The majority (preferably all, but at least 14) of the ECTS credits earned during the exchange should be recognized for the degree, meaning that you must still miss at least 14 ECTS credits in the available categories at the start of the exchange semester.
- Attendance of the information event ?Semestermobilit?t für D-INFK-Studierende? (in German, see below) is a mandatory part of the application. Please also attend the information events organized by the Student Exchange Office.
Further conditions for the exchange semester are explained in detail on the website of D-INFK, which will be updated soon.
Exchange periods normally last one semester.
BSc Computer Science: An exchange is possible from the 3rd year.
Exchange periods normally last one semester.
- MSc Computer Science: recommended from the 2nd semester, ideal in the 3rd (or 4th) semester after the Interfocus Courses
- MSc Data Science: allowed and recommended from the 2nd semester
- ?Semestermobilit?t für D-INFK Studierende? (in German)
- Monday, 27 October 2025, 12.15 (room number to follow)
- Attendance of this information event is a mandatory part of the application.
- Potentially eligible students from the 3rd BSc semester onwards will receive an invitation by email.
Transfer of credits
The mobility advisor and departmental exchange coordinator handle this (see contact below). Do not contact lecturers about this topic.
BSc Computer Science
- At most 30 ECTS can be transferred, and credit transfer is possible (depending on the local course offer and upon approval by the departmental exchange coordinator) to the categories core courses, electives, minor courses, seminar, Science in Perspective (see below), and Bachelor’s thesis.
- For the credits to count for the category core courses, subjects at partner universities must be approved by the departmental exchange coordinator. A maximum of 16 ECTS for up to 3 different core courses can be accredited to this category. For each core course, either the corresponding course at ETH can be credited or an approved substitute course at the host university, but not both. This also applies if the substitute course is recognised for less than 8 ECTS.
- If the partner university allows exchange students on Bachelor’s level to attend courses on Master’s level, it might be possible to transfer such credits to the Master’s programme back at ETH. Follow the specific rules for the different Master's programmes.
MSc Computer Science
- At most 30 ECTS can be transferred, and credit transfer is possible (depending on the local course offer and upon approval by the departmental exchange coordinator) to the categories core electives, minor, seminar, practical work, free elective courses, and Science in Perspective (see below). Core courses and Interfocus Courses must be completed at ETH.
- The Master's thesis can be conducted during a research stay abroad (only with the consent of the supervising professor at ETH).
MSc Data Science
- At most 30 ECTS can be transferred, and credit transfer is possible (depending on the local course offer and upon approval by the departmental exchange coordinator and your tutor) to the categories electives, seminar, and Science in Perspective (see below). Core courses and the Data Science Lab must be completed at ETH.
- The Master's thesis can be conducted during a research stay abroad (only with the consent of the supervising professor at ETH).
MSc Cyber Security
- No participation in the exchange programmes: One semester at EPFL is already a compulsory part of the Master's degree. No further mobility credits will be recognized for the Master's degree.
- The Master's thesis can be conducted during a research stay abroad (only with the consent of the supervising professor at ETH).
Science in Perspective
Upon approval by D-GESS, a maximum of 3 ECTS from course units earned during a semester mobility may be recognized towards the SiP programme. Contact Caroline Holck from D-GESS ahead of time and before the start of your exchange period, providing a link to the course description: