Application and admission process

Major – BA in Music, School Music

Thank you for your interest in the Bachelor’s programme in School Music at Zurich University of the Arts.

Bachelor students must first register for a major. They begin their degree programme with the selected major and choose a minor during their first year of study. They begin studying the selected minor in their second year of study. 

→ Detailed information on the Major-Minor programme structure

→ The information days will take place mid-November. Detailed information please find on zhdk.ch/en/information-days

Admissions requirements

For admissions and matriculation requirements, please refer to the Regulatory Framework for Bachelor’s and Master’s Programmes at Zurich University of the Arts (RO § 19–24).

For additional terms (including the language skills) required for admission to the chosen major, please refer to the Programme Regulations of the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Movement at Zurich University of the Arts (StO BA Music and Movement § 4 ff.). 

The admissions process for the autumn semester of this year has been completed.
Information on the next admissions process will be published here in mid-November.

  • Application documents

    Please ensure you submit the following documents when submitting your application:

    1. Letter of motivation (typewritten, in German):
      1. Personal details (Full curriculum vitae/please indicate dates with all information:School education, previous musical training: instruments, tutors, ensemble experience; other studies, professional activities, work experience
      2. Personal statement
        Why do you wish to study music at Zurich University of Arts (ZHdK)? Please give reasons for choosing the specialization in School Music.
        What are your career plans?
      3. a) for core subject Jazz: video portfolio, see Aptitude test Jazz
        b) for core subject Pop: video portfolio, see Aptitude test Pop
    2. For candidates with a mother tongue other than German: The required language level is generally B2, proven with a certificate from telc (The European Language Certificates) or from a Goethe-Institut.
    3. Matriculation number
      The field “matriculation number” only concerns applicants who have already studied at a university or applied university in Switzerland. Applicants who have studied abroad (not in Switzerland) are not required to fill in the field “matriculation number”. 
      All students receive a matriculation number when they register for the first time at a university or an applied university in Switzerland or at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH in the shape of a yellow sticker, which is affixed to the reverse of their qualifying diploma (e.g. baccalaureate certificate, Swiss Federal Certificate of Competence). Please provide this number when registering and submit your university entrance qualification certificate as a PDF file.
    4. Exmatriculation certificate
      Confirmation of exmatriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue of the certificate is pending, confirmation must be submitted later.
    5. Social security number
      If you live or work in Switzerland, you will find your Swiss social security number (756...) on your AHV card or on your Swiss health insurance card. Applicants who wish to come to Switzerland to study do not yet have a Swiss social security number and therefore do not need to provide one.
    6. Photograph JPG
      Please upload a recent passport quality photo – no copies/screenshots of the passport page or identity card. The photo must be a frontal shot of the face that is 2/3 of the frame and at least 320 x 400 pixels.
    7. Identity card or passport
      A copy of the identity card (both sides) or passport must be uploaded. If a residence permit for Switzerland is available, please also submit a copy of it.
    8. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
      Please submit in tabular form.

    9. Language skills
      The language skills required are listed for each degree programme in the programme regulations. Language skills can be demonstrated as follows:
      –    Native speaker (does not have to be proven)
      –    Required language as a subject in the educational certificate, passed or at least grade 4 (submit the upper secondary education transcript as a PDF)
      –    Recognized certificate (according to the list “Recognized Certificates for Language Requirements”)
      –    University degree (Bachelor’s/Master’s) in a degree programme where the language of instruction corresponds to the language skills required by the study regulations (submit diploma supplement or official confirmation from the university as a PDF)

      Note: The language certificates should usually be no more than five years old. The decision on whether the admission requirements regarding language skills have been met is made during the formal review of the documents.

    10. Further documents
      Please submit the corresponding transcripts, diplomas and certificates to provide evidence of your:
      • Educational qualifications
      • Professional activities (relevant to your degree programme/chosen specialization)
      • Internships (relevant to your degree programme/chosen specialization)

    Documents must be uploaded in PDF (portrait) format. If you wish to upload several individual PDF files, you may do so one after the other.

    The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is permitted and must be stated when submitting the registration.

  • Aptitude test for the core subject Classical Music

    1. A specialization-specific test for School Music.
      Duration: 30 minutes
      Contents:
      1. Singing one of the set pieces or songs with accompaniment (by ZHdK accompanist)
      2. Playing one of the set pieces pop, jazz or classical music piece on the piano
      3. Playing with a band: Candidates jointly realize an arrangement 
      4. Interview about previous experience in the education area, working with young people, musical stage experience, and about personal musical and educational goals.

    2. Instrumental/vocal performance and aptitude interview
    Duration: approx. 20 minutes, individual

    Instrumental/vocal performance

    • Artistic musical performance (for all instruments and singing)
      • of pieces or individual (complete) movements from different periods, including one modern piece/movement.
      • The jury will listen to a selection. 
      • Candidates are expected to perform pieces/movements of at least medium difficulty.
      • If candidates request a piano accompaniment organized by ZHdK must indicate this on the registration.
    • The following specific repertoire requirements also apply: 
      • Piano: candidates are required to play compositions from at least three different stylistic periods, including a movement from a classical sonata and an étude (Clementi, Cramer, Czerny, Chopin, Liszt or similar). Furthermore: a short sight-reading task
      • Voice: candidates are required to perform compositions from the baroque, classical and modern periods as well as a German Lied. The performance should include works in at least one other language (e. g. Italian or French). A short recitation should also be included. 
      • Flute: candidates are required to perform an étude from Anton Bernhard Fürstenau’s “Le Bouquet des Tons”.
      • Trumpet: candidates are required to perform Paolo Longinotti’s No. 1 from “Studies in classical and modern style” (IMC).
      • Drums: Solo, improvisation or étude, no playback. The scores must be handed in to the experts.  
         
    • Aptitude interview
      • The interviews are conducted by the examination panel and will include questions about the candidate’s previous training, their personal goals, career aims and course organization. The questions refer to the covering letter submitted with the application.
      • The interview also serves to test the candidates’ language skills (German or English).
         

    3. Written examination in music theory

    Duration: two hour, independently on the computer

    Content of the examination:

    • Identifying intervals (all intervals up to an octave, as chords)
    • Identifying triads (diatonic triads, in all inversions, set for four voices)
    • One-part diatonic melodic dictation (melody and bassline)
    • Rhythmic dictation in simple (3/4. 4/4 etc.) and compound (6/8, 9/8) time.
    • Listening analysis: description of a short excerpt of music from the 15th to 21st centuries.
    • Score analysis: description of a short score excerpt from the 15th to 21st centuries.
    • Composition: creation of a four-part bass harmony (only triads in root position, dominant chords with suspensions)
    • Harmonic analysis of a four-part movement (only triads, in all inversions, dominant chords with suspensions)

    → Sample examination: written aptitude test in music theory

    4. Integrated aptitude test

    Duration: 40 minutes in groups of 3 candidates. 

    Content of the examination:

    • Group improvisation 
      • The group improvisation exam comprises a series of consecutive solo and duo improvisations and concludes with a trio improvisation.
      • The improvisations are free, i.e. not restricted to any particular style.
      • The assessment criteria are: communication skills, empathy, spontaneity, imagination, rhythmic confidence, a reliable ear, and instrumental execution
      • Duration: approx. 5 minutes.
    • Theoretical skills
      • At the piano: A simple bass line in a major or minor key with up to three accidentals is provided. The left hand plays this bass line, whilst the right hand adds the corresponding triads.
      • Sight-reading of rhythm: A rhythm in a binary (3/4, 4/4, etc.) or ternary (6/8, 9/8, etc.) time signature, spoken on any syllable. The beat is tapped along with this.
      • Singing a chorale part (women: alto, men: tenor or bass); the other three parts are played by experts on the piano

    → Further information on the theoretical skills can be found here.

    Examination panel for part 3

    The panel comprises ZHdK lecturers in music theory.

  • Aptitude test for the core subject Jazz and Pop

    The Audition for the Bachelor of Arts in Music with the Specialization in School Music, Jazz and Pop includes the following:

    Test for the Specialization in Jazz and Pop

    Specialization-specific test for School Music.
    Duration: 30 minutes
    Contents:

    1. Singing one of the set pieces or songs; accompaniment by ZHdK is compulsory
    2. Playing one of the set pieces​​ on the piano
    3. Group performance: Candidates perform an arrangement together under guidance.
    4. Interview about previous experience in the fields of teaching, working with young people, musical stage experience, and personal goals in musical and educational terms

    Panel: Staff in charge of School Music, Department Committee
     

    Documents for preparing the audition:

    –  Exercises (Vocal)
    –  Sample singing pieces Classical Music
    –  Sample singing pieces Jazz Pop
    –  Further song propositions (Vocal)
    –  Sample pieces Piano
    –  Cadences (for accompaniment)
    –  Leadsheets (Sample pieces)

  • Dates

    The dates for the next admissions process will be published here in mid-November.
     

    Information day

    20 November 2025

    Online application

    6 January – 2 March 2026

    Minor selection

    10–30 March 2026

    Aptitude test Major

    • BA School Music Classical Music: 17/18 April School music specialization, 29/30 April Theory & practice

    • BA School Music Jazz: 17/18 April School music specialization, 6–10 and 13–17 April Practice, 28 April Theory

    • BA School Music Pop: 17/18 April School music specialization, 27 April – 1 May Practice, 28 April Theory

    Minor admissions interview (only if specific entry-level required)

    20 April – 4 May 2026

    Admissions decisions – major (acceptance / rejection / waiting list)

    Mid-May 2026

    Course commencement 

    14 September 2026

  • Registration and examination fee

    The registration fee for the admissions process is CHF 100 Registrations are valid once the registration fee has been paid. Payment should be effected online by credit card, TWINT or PostFinance Card. Applicants who are invited to the second part of the aptitude test (interview or examination) pay an additional examination fee of CHF 200 for participation in the second part of the aptitude test. The payment request is sent by e-mail. Once the payment has been transferred, the invitation with the examination dates will be made available in the online registration.
    Fees are based on the Directive on Tuition Fees of Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the corresponding fact sheet on Tuition Fees at ZHdK.

  • Entry into Switzerland

    Different rules apply for entry to Switzerland. In principle, a distinction is made between nationals of EU/EFTA countries and third-country nationals. An overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality can be found on the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM.
    Third-country nationals who require a visa to study in Switzerland must apply in person for a student visa at the relevant Swiss consulate abroad (embassy or consulate-general). Visa applications should be made at least 3 months before the envisaged entry to Switzerland.
    International students from countries that do not require a visa to study (stays of more than 90 days) may apply for their residence permit directly at their place of residence in Switzerland after entering the country.

    You can find the checklists to prepare your entry into Switzerland at: www.zhdk.ch/migration

    Importing musical instruments into Switzerland

    Please note the regulations for importing musical instruments into Switzerland. If you intend to import musical instruments into other countries, please consult the corresponding import regulations upon leaving Switzerland.

  • Information regarding online application

    • Login with ZHdK or SWITCH edu-ID

      • If you do not have a ZHdK login, you will need a SWITCH edu-ID to register online. This ID has to be created once.
        → How to create and use a SWITCH edu-ID

      • If you have a ZHdK login, you may apply with your ZHdK login, provided that it is still valid until the end of the admission procedure. The ZHdK login must be valid until the end of the admission procedure. The ZHdK login remains valid until the end of the studies.

    • You may interrupt your application at any time and continue at a later stage. Any information entered will be stored.
       
    • Compulsory fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

    • Once all the data has been entered, the registration must be completed by clicking on ‘Complete entry’ and the registration fee must be paid. The registration cannot be changed afterwards. The registration is only considered to be submitted and checked once the registration fee has been paid.

    • If the registration has not been completed, including payment of the registration fee, the data will be deleted after the registration deadline.

Questions concerning the aptitude test?

Please contact us via email.