Core Subject Sound Engineering

Content

The degree “Master of Advanced Studies in Musical Creation/Sound Engineering” demonstrates the student's personal connection to the completed study profile and is characterized by an in-depth examination of a theoretical and/or practical focus from the respective field. 
Students have developed a certain critical distance to their own creative work and are able to explain their point of view, conceive, organize and perform a musical event and critically question its communication.

Structure

The MAS module lasts one semester and concludes with the “Master of Advanced Studies in Musical Creation/Sound Engineering”. As part of the MAS module, the student realizes a final project and produces a written documentation of 15-20 pages. 

As part of the MAS module, a portfolio of at least three works created during the course of study is also compiled. The MAS module is completed with an oral presentation to a jury followed by a colloquium.

A total of eight mentoring hours are available for the MAS module. These can be used to supervise the final project and/or the written documentation. The choice of mentor depends on individual needs and is determined in consultation with the Head of Continuing Education in Music.

Qualification

Upon successful completion of the MAS module, the skills acquired in the continuing education program are summarized and completed with a “Master of Advanced Studies” (MAS). The module is worth 15 ECTS credits.

The MAS degree in Musical Creation comprises the following elements:

  • Final project
    Realization of a sound recording project in consultation with the main subject lecturer.
  • Portfolio
    Compilation of at least three works created during the course of study.
  • Written documentation
    A written documentation of 15-20 pages (excl. images and appendix) highlighting the personal reference to the chosen practical project.
  • Oral presentation with colloquium
    30-minute presentation of the final project and written documentation. This is followed by a discussion (max. 20 minutes) on the content of the presentation, portfolio and documentation.

Eligibility and admission requirements

The “Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Musical Creation/Sound Engineering” degree comprises at least 60 ECTS credits. These are acquired as part of CAS study programs, at least half of which should be in the focus area of sound engineering, and are completed with the MAS module. Admission is granted by the Head of Studies and the Head of Continuing Education in Music and is usually granted by passing a corresponding admission and dossier examination.

Costs

The cost of the MAS module is CHF 2,400.
This includes the individual lessons/mentoring, the administration fee, the expert fees and the examination fee. The costs are invoiced once when the agreement for the MAS module is concluded. 

Dates

The MAS degree is offerend twice a year.

MAS module “autumn semester option”

  • Deadline for applications: 31 May
    Registration for the MAS module, incl. submission of the required documents
  • Mid-June
    Interview with the Head of Continuing Education Music and written MAS agreement (next steps, mentoring, schedule, etc.)
  • 30 November
    Interim report to the Head of Continuing Education Music
  • 28 February
    Submission of the written documentation and the portfolio
  • End of March  
    Presentation of degree project and documentation, colloquium

MAS module “spring semester option”

  • Deadline for applications: 30 November
    Registration for the MAS module, incl. submission of the required documents
  • Mid-December
    Interview with the Head of Continuing Education Music and written MAS agreement (next steps, mentoring, schedule, etc.)
  • 31 May       
    Interim report to the Head of Continuing Education Music
  • 31 August   
    Submission of the written documentation and the portfolio
  • End of September
    Presentation of degree project and documentation, colloquium

The dates and times of the individual lessons in the major and the mentoring sessions will be agreed on an individual basis.

Online application

The application for the MAS degree is possible twice a year (cf. “Dates of admission procedure”). Applications are processed via the online tool of ZHdK (ONLA). 

Application deadline: 31 May resp. 30 November

→ To the online application for the “MAS in Music Creation/Sound Engineering”, study starts in the 2026 autumn semester

  • Information about the online application (ONLA)

    You can interrupt the application process at any time and complete it at a later date. The information you have entered will be saved. Mandatory fields are marked with a *.

    Once you have entered all your information, complete the process by clicking on “Finish entry”. The data can no longer be amended. Your submission will be reviewed by the Continuing Education Office.

    Please check your e-mail spam folder during the application period. If you have any further questions about online application or experience any technical difficulties, please contact the Continuing Education Centre.

  • Sign in to the online application with SWITCH edu-ID

    A SWITCH edu-ID is required for the online application. It only needs to be requested once.
    → Instructions for creating and using a SWITCH edu-ID

    If you already have a Switch edu-ID but have forgotten your password, you can reset it via Switch edu-ID – Reset password.

  • Required documents

    Curriculum Vitae
    A brief and clear list of your education and professional career history.

    Covering letter
    Set out your reason for applying for the continuing education degree programme on a maximum of one side of A4. If you do not have a university degree, please describe your professional experience up to this point and why you are applying for your chosen continuing education degree programme (maximum of two sides of A4).

    Photo of yourself in JPG format
    Upload a recent photo in passport photo quality (at least 320 x 400 pixels). The photo must be high-contrast and your face must be clearly visible. It may not feature other people or objects.

    Social security number
    If you live or work in Switzerland, you will find your Swiss social security number (756…) on your OASI card or on your Swiss health insurance card. 

    Further documents

    • Transcripts
    • Degrees
    • Certificates

    The documents must be uploaded in PDF format. If you have several individual PDF files, you can upload these one after another.

  • Further documents to be submitted

    The following must be submitted with the application for the MAS module:

    Content-related and conceptual description of the intended diploma project and the written documentation.

After the application has been reviewed, a binding agreement is made in consultation with the Head of Continuing Education Music regarding the practical project and the choice of topic for the written documentation, the supervision and the course of the MAS module.

Terms and conditions

The general terms and conditions of the Continuing Education Centre apply for applications for this programme.