ETH Doctorate overview

guide

ETH ZürichDoctoral Thesis
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Original Guideline (cleaned)

ETH Zurich — Doctoral thesis (formal aspects)

General

  • Title page must comply with Appendix 2 of the Rector’s Implementation Provisions (downloadable ETH template available).
  • Thesis must include an abstract in one official Swiss language and in English, plus a CV (CV may be omitted from the electronic version for data security).
  • Ensure correct quotation and referencing; see ETH Zurich Citation Guidelines.
  • Title and content may not be changed after Department Conference decision (Implementation Provisions Clause 12).

Copyright

  • Copyright remains with the author; ETH has non‑exclusive right to publish for non‑profit purposes and to distribute summaries/copies to institutions (Ordinance Art. 53).
  • On delivery of the electronic version, ETH may make the thesis publicly accessible and take archiving measures. Publication may not be unduly delayed or excluded except where legally restricted (Ordinance Art. 48 para. 2).
  • Authors may grant rights of use to third parties; avoid full transfer; secure limited rights for own use.

Cumulative doctoral thesis

  • Allowed if committee can assess independent contribution and the thesis is written in one language; appendices may be in other languages (Implementation Provisions Clause 11.2).
  • Monograph vs cumulative decided with supervisor’s consent; thesis must be consistent in style; sequence of publisher‑formatted articles is not permitted.
  • Co‑authored publications: clearly declare individual contribution; publication must fit the thesis topic.
  • Ensure copyrights and reuse rights when using published articles (see Research Collection manual). Follow ETH guidelines for integrity and good practice.
  • Before printing: verify publisher reuse conditions (Open Policy Finder and ETH library lists); check other rights and contracts (e.g., SNSF); preprints usually acceptable; obtain co‑author consents; comply with Research Collection archiving guidance. Possible temporary exemption from electronic publication if copyright prevents it; abstract will still be published.

See ETH departmental guidelines and contacts for department‑specific rules.