MA Transdisciplinary Studies

Are you specialised in a particular discipline—and at times concerned about how open and porous your specialism is in relation to other disciplines? Do you have questions about your discipline—and are unable to find satisfactory answers in discussing them with your peers? Do you have experience as a practising artist—and yet feel uncertain when experimenting with unfamiliar formats? Are you convinced about the fruitfulness of a critical debate between the arts and the sciences—but haven't yet found a suitable framework for such a debate? If you have such or similar questions, you will feel at home at our MA Transdisciplinary Studies.

The new arises both on the edges of or at the interfaces between traditional disciplines—be it in the arts, the sciences, or everyday life. Our postgraduate programme explores precisely these interfaces and intersections, and serves as a hinge and hub between the arts, the sciences, and society. Here, at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), we see transdisciplinarity as a form of cooperation capable of opening up innovative perspectives, questions, and solutions. 

Coursework is dedicated to building the transversal skills needed to deepen, extend, and position one's specialist skills with a view to developing and competently pursuing new questions, methods, and core working areas. We aim to contribute to the professionalisation of transdisciplinary work and to equipping students with the skills and qualifications needed for unforeseeable professional tasks. Our programme builds on the manifold teaching and research competencies at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), on the specialist skills of our students, and on possible connections with various professional fields.