Note
Disclaimer: This is not an official ETH Zurich project. This list is a community-driven collection of resources and is not affiliated with, officially maintained by, or endorsed by ETH Zurich. While we strive for accuracy, please verify information with official ETH Zurich sources when necessary.
A curated list of awesome resources, tools, and tips for students at ETH Zürich (ETHZ). Whether you're a new student or already familiar with ETHZ, this list aims to make your student life easier and more productive.
Have a great tip about life in Zurich or studying at ETH? Contribute to this list and help your fellow students!
Are you looking for free stuff? Jump to Student Discounts and Free Services
- ETHZ Website - The official website of ETH Zürich
- myStudies - Portal for course registration, exam sign-up, and transcript access
- ETHZ Moodle - Learning management system for course materials and assignments
- ETH Library - Access to a vast collection of academic resources
- VVZ (Course Catalogue) - Comprehensive list of courses offered at ETHZ
- Exam Collection - Archive of past exams for various ETHZ courses
- ETH Study Environments - Find study spaces and workspaces on campus
- ETH EduApp - Official ETH app for course materials, lecture slides, and interactive participation during lectures. iOS, Android Web App
- ETH Mensa App - Check menus of ETH cafeterias. iOS, Android
- ETH Video App - Access lecture recordings and video content. iOS (unfortunately not available for Android)
- ASVZ App - Schedule and manage your sports activities with ASVZ. iOS, Android
- Course Catalogue (Vorlesungsverzeichnis) - Comprehensive list of courses offered at ETHZ
- myStudies - Portal for course registration, exam sign-up, and transcript access
- ETH Passwords (AD+WiFi/VPN) - Manage your ETH passwords
- Personal Details and Access PIN Code - Update personal information and access codes
- Moodle - Learning management system for course materials and assignments
- IT Wiki - Knowledge base for IT-related issues and solutions
- VIS Freshers' Guide (Ersti Guide) - Guide for new students from the Association of Computer Science Students
- VIS Community Solutions (ComSol) - Community-driven archive of past exams and solutions
- PVW (Exam Preparation Workshop) - Resources for exam preparation
- VIS Magazine (Visionen) - Student magazine published by VIS
- Course Review - Platform to read and submit course reviews
- Upload PDFs for Printing (WiFi or VPN required) - Service to upload documents for printing on ETH printers
- Printer Code/Printer Credit (WiFi or VPN required) - Manage your printer credit and retrieve your printing code
- VSETH - The umbrella organization for all ETHZ student associations
- ETH Gastro - Information on cafeterias and restaurants on campus
- Student Rights Related to Exams - Information on student rights related to exams
- Psychological Counselling Services - Mental health support for students
- VSETH Helpdesk - Confidential support from fellow ETH students
- Nightline Zurich - Anonymous, confidential helpline for students in Switzerland
- ETH Get Hired - Job and internship portal for ETHZ students
The Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV) offers various discounts and special fares for students, including those at ETH Zurich. Here's a comprehensive overview of the discounts available:
- Eligibility: Students up to 24.99 years old
- Discount: Reduced fare compared to adult passes
- Coverage: Valid for all zones in the ZVV network
- Options: Available as monthly or annual passes
- Note: Can be used until expiration even if purchased just before turning 25
ZVV Jugend - Zurich public transportation information
Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) offers the ZKB Nachtschwärmer ticket, allowing you to travel for free on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 PM in the entire ZVV network if you have their eBanking Mobile App.
- Eligibility: ZKB customers with the eBanking Mobile App
- Benefits: Free travel on the ZVV network on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 PM
- How to use: Activate the ticket in the ZKB eBanking Mobile App
The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) offers various services and discounts. Here's a comprehensive overview:
- 50% discount on most public transport tickets in Switzerland
- Valid for one year
- Special "Half-Fare Travelcard Youth" available for those under 25 at a reduced price
- Raiffeisen YoungMemberPlus: Get 50% off your next Halbtax with Raiffeisen's YoungMemberPlus program
- Eligibility: Raiffeisen YoungMemberPlus customers
- Raiffeisen YoungMemberPlus Benefits
b) Seven25 Travelcard / GA Night
- For young people under 25
- Free travel on trains, buses, and boats from 7 PM to 5 AM
c) GA Travelcard (General Abonnement)
- Unlimited travel on most public transport in Switzerland
- Discounted rates for youth (16-25 years) and young adults (25-30 years)
- Also, if you live with someone who already has one, you can get a discount
d) Halbtax PLUS
- Combines Half-Fare Travelcard benefits with a prepaid credit system
- Available in three tiers for young people under 25: 1000, 2000, and 3000 CHF
- Includes bonus credit (e.g., pay 600 CHF, get 1000 CHF credit for Halbtax PLUS Jugend 1000)
- Can be used for tickets, day passes, and class upgrades on SBB.ch, SBB Mobile App, and öV Plus App
- Unused credit (excluding bonus) is refunded at the end of the year
- Half-Fare card must be purchased separately
- Discounts of up to 70% on standard fares
- Available on specific trains, often during off-peak hours
- Can be combined with Half-Fare Travelcard for additional savings
- Purchasable via SBB website or mobile app
Note
Important Don't trust the time table, it's often pretty late and the bus get's to the station whenever in my experience. "Due to extensive roadworks and the resulting diversionary traffic in the urban area, the eLink is currently experiencing delays and longer journey times. The situation will likely last for the next months."
The eLink shuttle bus is a free service for ETH Zurich students, employees, and their guests:
- Runs between Zentrum campus and Hönggerberg campus several times per hour
- Extended service to Zurich Hauptbahnhof (HB) three times in the morning and four times in the evening
- Free of charge, no need to change buses
Pro Velo Kanton Zürich organizes regular bicycle markets (Velobörsen) where you can buy or sell bicycles. These events offer a wide selection of bikes, including city bikes, e-bikes, and more.
Upcoming Velobörsen 2025–2026
- Sep 20, 2025: Winterthur – Katharina-Sulzer-Platz, 09:00–15:00 (Bike intake 08:00–10:00)
Link: https://provelowinterthur.ch/leistungen/veloboerse/ - Oct 4, 2025: Zurich – Helvetiaplatz, 09:00–15:00 (Bike intake 08:00–10:00)
Link: https://www.provelozuerich.ch/event/veloborse-helvetiaplatz-2-2025-04-12-2025-10-04/
- Mar 14, 2026: Zurich – Helvetiaplatz, 09:00–15:00
Link: https://www.provelozuerich.ch/event/veloborse-zurich-helvetiaplatz/2026-03-14/ - Apr 18, 2026: Zurich – Helvetiaplatz, 09:00–15:00
Link: https://www.provelozuerich.ch/event/veloborse-zurich-helvetiaplatz/2026-04-18/ - May 9, 2026: Zurich – Helvetiaplatz, 09:00–15:00
Link: https://www.provelozuerich.ch/events/category/veloboerse/
Typical schedule:
- Bicycle drop-off: 8:00 - 10:00
- Sale hours: 9:00 - 15:00
For more details and future events, visit the Pro Velo Velobörse website.
- ETH Entrepreneur Club - Student organization promoting entrepreneurship
- Language Center - Language courses for students
- ASVZ Sportfahrplan - Create your personal sports schedule with a wide range of activities
- Student Project House (SPH) - A creative space supporting student initiatives and projects
The ETH Student Project House (SPH) is a creative hub that supports student projects and startups:
- Benefits:
- Up to CHF 400 per semester towards your startup or project
- Free co-working spaces and workshop areas
- Access to resources like AWS Activate
- How to access: Visit the SPH, participate in their events, and apply for support
- Additional Resources: Mentoring, prototyping facilities (3D Printers), and networking opportunities
- Student Housing - Information on student accommodation
- WGZimmer.ch - Platform for finding shared apartments and roommates
WOKO is a student housing cooperative that offers affordable accommodation options for students in Zurich:
- Provides rooms and small apartments in student residences at reasonable prices
- Eligibility: Full-time students at recognized universities and colleges in Zurich
- Minimum rental period: 6 months
- Maximum rental period: 8 years for full-time students, 2 years for doctoral students
- Age limit: Some properties have a maximum age limit of 28 years
- Application process: Online registration and waiting list system
- Locations: Various properties throughout Zurich and surrounding areas
- Prices range from CHF 400 to CHF 850 per month, depending on the property and room type
For more information and to apply, visit the WOKO website.
The Association of Students at ETH Zurich (VSETH) provides valuable housing resources for ETH students:
- Offers a comprehensive guide to finding accommodation in Zurich
- Provides information on various housing options, including student residences, shared apartments, and private rentals
- Maintains a list of useful websites and platforms for apartment hunting
- Offers tips on navigating the competitive Zurich housing market
For more information and access to these resources, visit the VSETH Welcome Page - Housing section.
"Wohnen für Hilfe" is an intergenerational housing program that connects students with seniors in the Canton of Zurich. Instead of paying rent, students provide assistance to their senior housemates.
Key points:
- Exchange rate: 1 hour of help per month for each square meter of living space, plus utilities
- Types of assistance: Household chores, gardening, shopping, tech support, companionship (no professional care services)
- Each partnership is unique and tailored to the needs and preferences of both parties
- Pro Senectute Kanton Zürich provides advice, matching services, and ongoing support
- Eligibility: Only students from Switzerland and the EU are eligible due to legal regulations
For more details and application forms, visit the Wohnen für Hilfe website.
Projekt Neptun is an initiative that offers discounted IT equipment to students and staff of Swiss universities, including ETH Zurich.
For more information and to check current offers, visit Projekt Neptun
Starting from the Autumn Semester 2024, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) will be mandatory for all students beginning a new study program at ETH Zurich. This applies to all levels: Bachelor, Master, continuing education, didactic training, and specialist students.
Minimum Technical Requirements for BYOD:
| Component | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD R5, Intel Core i5, Apple M1 |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD |
| Screen | 13" / Full HD |
| Battery life | 7h in everyday use |
| Ports | 1x USB-C plus 1x USB-A or USB-C (charging via USB-C recommended) |
| Operating System | Licensed Windows 11 or current macOS |
| WLAN | 5 GHz standard; 6 GHz (WiFi 6E) recommended |
| Keyboard | Physical |
| Webcam | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years (3 years recommended) |
Note: A professor at the intro talk mentioned that if you already have a notebook, you don't need to buy a new one with top specs for the first year. This is his personal opinion and not an official statement.
Overleaf is a collaborative cloud-based LaTeX editor used widely in academic and professional settings. ETH Zurich provides free access to Overleaf Premium for all its students.
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Features:
- Unlimited number of collaborators
- Full document history and track changes
- Real-time collaboration
- Git integration
- Sync with Dropbox and GitHub
-
How to access:
- Go to Overleaf ETH Zurich Access
- Sign up or log in with your ETH email address (ending with @student.ethz.ch)
- Verify your email to activate your premium account
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Benefits for ETH students:
- Simplifies collaboration on academic papers and projects
- Ideal for thesis writing, research papers, and presentations
- Access to a wide range of LaTeX templates
PubliBike offers a sustainable mobility solution throughout Switzerland. In Zurich, there are almost 2,000 cycles and e-bikes available at around 170 stations. ETHZ students benefit from attractive special conditions:
- Annual subscription (B-Fit): CHF 59. First 60 minutes free. Each additional minute CHF 0.10. Max rental 24 h: CHF 24.
- Usage rates:
- First 60 minutes: Free for students
- After 60 minutes: CHF 0.10 per minute for students and staff
How to use PubliBike:
- Download the PubliBike app
- Register with your ETHZ student email (ending with @student.ethz.ch)
- Enter the promo code: ethzpublibike for students
- Add a credit card to your account
PubliBike stations are available at both the ETH Center and ETH Hönggerberg campuses. For station locations, refer to the overview plans available on the ETHZ website.
ETH students and staff benefit from a special mobilityPLUS deal in 2025:
- Monthly costs: waived (normally CHF 9.90) → free until 31 December 2025
- Activation fee: CHF 39.90 (billed directly by Mobility)
- Eligibility: valid ETH card, Swiss-valid driving licence, and proof of residence (Schriftenempfangsschein or valid foreign residence permit also accepted)
- Validity: the contract continues beyond your ETH affiliation, and can be cancelled or changed at the end of any month
Mobility is a flexible option if you need a car for larger hauls or occasional longer trips, complementing Zürich’s excellent public transport and bike-sharing services.
Mobility Car-Sharing Offers for ETH
The GitHub Student Developer Pack is an excellent resource for ETHZ students, offering free access to various developer tools and services. Here are some highlights:
- GitHub Pro: Free while you are a student
- JetBrains: Free access to professional desktop IDEs
- Microsoft Azure: Free access to 25+ Microsoft Azure cloud services plus $100 in Azure credit
- DigitalOcean: $200 in platform credit for 1 year to host your own server
Visit the GitHub Student Developer Pack website for the full list of offerings and to sign up.
It might take up to eight days for the verification, so it's best to sign up early.
JetBrains offers free educational licenses for students and teachers, providing access to their powerful development tools:
- For students and teachers: Free access to all JetBrains IDEs for personal use at school or at home.
- For schools and universities: Access to educational licenses for entire institutions.
- For non-academic educators: Individual licenses for students and teachers.
Visit the JetBrains Educational Licenses website for more details and to apply:
JetBrains Educational Licenses
ASVZ provides access to a wide range of sports facilities and classes for ETH Zurich students and staff.
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Students and apprentices/trainees:
- Automatic access with ETH card
- ASVZ logo printed on the ETH card
-
MAS and MBA students:
- Can access ASVZ sports program for an annual fee of CHF 425
-
Employees, academic guests & pensioners:
- Can purchase access at the ASVZ counter or online
- Use ASVZ card in the ASVZ-App
- ASVZ logo not printed on the ETH card
-
Partners (spouse or partner of concubinage) of students, employees, pensioners, and alumni:
- Can apply for access authorization at ASVZ counters
For more information on eligibility and access, visit the ASVZ Eligibility Page.
VSOS offers free virtual servers to students and organizations at ETH Zurich.
- Benefits:
- Free virtual machines (VMs) for personal projects, student organizations, or academic purposes
- Support for services like mail servers, TeamSpeak servers, and more
- Opportunity to get involved in maintaining and expanding the cluster
- How to request a VM:
- Fill out the request form here
- For support on existing VMs, email vsos-support@sos.ethz.ch
- Contact: vsos@sos.ethz.ch
VSOS is supported by the ETH Zurich Informatikdienste and the Stiftung e-na’bel.
- Apply for financial aid through your home canton: List of Cantonal Scholarship Offices
- Use a service like Stipendium.ch to find scholarships
- ETHZ Financial Aid Information
- Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung) recommended
- Home contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) recommended for those renting apartments
- Use Comparis.ch to compare insurance and other services
We welcome contributions to this awesome list! If you have suggestions for resources, tools, or services that would be helpful for ETHZ students, please follow these steps:
- Fork this repository
- Create a new branch (
git checkout -b add-new-resource) - Add your resource to the appropriate section
- Commit your changes (
git commit -am 'Add new resource') - Push to the branch (
git push origin add-new-resource) - Create a new Pull Request
Please ensure your contribution adheres to the following guidelines:
- The resource should be relevant to ETHZ students
- Provide a brief description of the resource
- Check for duplicates before submitting
- Keep descriptions concise and clear
We especially encourage contributions related to life in Zurich and studying at ETH! Whether you've discovered a hidden gem café perfect for studying, found a lesser-known ETH service that saved your semester, or have tips for navigating Swiss bureaucracy as a student, we want to hear from you. Your local knowledge and personal experiences are invaluable in making this list a comprehensive resource for the ETH community. Don't hesitate to share anything you think might make an ETH student's life easier or more enjoyable – from academic tools to leisure activities in and around Zurich.
- Robin Glauser - Initial work and curation
- Manuel Meister - Idea for PubliBike and GitHub Student Developer Pack
- ETHZ Website - The official website of ETH Zürich
- ETH D-INFK Discord
- xyquadrat.ch INFk FAQ - Lots of nice resources and tricks
- VSETH Welcome Page
- ETH Links für Erstis
- Ersties HS24 Informatik Whatsapp Group
If you find this list helpful, don't forget to give it a star ⭐️ and share it with your fellow ETHZ students!