Qualifying exams

The Prorector for doctoral studies and the doctoral committee of the responsible department decide on whether or not you have to take qualifying exams. Approximately one third of our doctoral students are requested to take qualifying exams. The topic, type and duration of the exam(s) are decided by the doctoral committee of the responsible department in consultation with your supervisor. The qualifying exams are then clearly stated in your admission letter. The global fee of CHF 120 for all the qualifying exams is charged to your semester invoice.

How to register for a qualifying exam

1. A list of your qualifying exam(s) is available on www.mystudies.ethz.ch
2. The examination schedule published on myStudies informs you about the examination date.
   
3. If your exam and/or the examination mode is not based on a course out of the course catalogue you must fix an individual date for the exam(s) with all the examiners concerned.
4. Make sure to register at least one week prior to the exam(s)!
   
5. To register for an exam you must log into myStudies and choose the category "Functions" and then "Qualifying exams". There you can enter date and  time of each exam.
6. Please note: There and only there you must register for your qualifying exam(s). Do not register through the examinations office.
   
7. After entering the exam data, both you and the examiners will receive a registration confirmation per e-mail.
   
8. After the exam, the examiners will enter the grade(s) in eDoz or communicate the grade(s) in a letter to the Doctoral Administration Office.
9. After you have taken all your qualifying exams and all the grades have been entered you will receive an official confirmation letter of having fulfilled the admission requirements.

The qualifying exams must be taken within one year and the deadline is specified clearly in your admission letter. This deadline is also indicated in www.mystudies.ethz.ch. Any changes in this deadline must be communicated to your department using this form (PDF, 55 kB).

If you fail a qualifying exam, you can retake it within six months, provided that your supervisor is in agreement. If your supervisor does not agree or you fail the exam twice, you will be exmatriculated and you cannot continue your doctoral studies.

Important: You must take your qualifying exams before you can submit your research plan.