Registration and admissions process

Thank you for your interest in the Bachelor's programme in Contemporary Dance at Zurich University of the Arts.

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 Dance at Zurich University of the Arts (StO BA Design § 4 ff.). 

  • Application documents

    1. Video (contents according to the “Aptitude test” tab)

    2. Motivation letter, max. of 1 A4 page printed

    3. Matriculation number
      When registering for the first time at a Swiss university, you will be issued a matriculation number. If you have already been enrolled at a Swiss university, university of applied sciences or tertiary college, please state your matriculation number. This eight-digit code (for example: 18-001-001) is printed on a yellow label, which is affixed to your  University entrance qualification (upper secondary school-leaving certificate- Baccalaureate, Vocational Baccalaureate, Specialised Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).

    4. Ex-matriculation certificate
      Confirmation of ex-matriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue is pending, confirmation can 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.

    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, no prose texts.

    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 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

    Admission procedure for the Bachelor's program in Contemporary Dance

    Selection for the Bachelor's degree program in Contemporary Dance takes place at three locations: Zurich, Barcelona and Livorno. Prospective students can select the location of their choice.

    Preliminary round audition in Zurich

    The preliminary round for the live audition in Zurich takes place via an application video.

    Application video for Zurich

    • Total length
      • approx. 20 minutes
    • Contents
      • Short personal introduction
        • Introduce yourself in English: Name, age, previous dance training, and one personal aspect (this may or may not be dance related)
      • Ballet Barre
      • Adagio
      • Turns
      • Small and big jumps
      • Solo (between 1.5 - 2 minutes long)

        • The solo should contain a range of movement qualities from contemporary and/or street dance. The various elements should include floor work, level changes and jumps. Inverted movements and other movement vocabulary from the two dance styles may be integrated. The solo must provide an insight into the physical, artistic and creative abilities, demonstrate the performance quality and illustrate the ability to connect with the audience.

    • Recording situation
      • The video can be recorded in any safe environment that is available.
    • Music
      • For the Ballet Barre music, we can send a link if required.
      • Any type of music, style or soundscape can be chosen for the solo, including a combination of these elements.
    • Submission
    • Live audition in Zurich
      • The live audition will take place on April 12 and 13, 2025 in Zurich.
      • The invitations for the live audition will be sent out on March 31, 2025.

    Live Audition Barcelona, Spain:

    Workshop: 15 March 2025
    Live Audition (Ballet class, Contemporary class, Solo): 16 March 2025
    → Register now for the audition in Barcelona
     

    Live Audition Livorno, Italy:

    Workshop: 26 April 2025
    Live Audition (Ballet class, Contemporary class, Solo): 27 April 2025
    → Register now for the audition in Livorno

  • Dates

    Application opens for Live Audition Zurich

    21 November 2024

    Confirmation of acceptance to the admissions process

    After reception and acceptance of the application

    Application deadline for Live Audition Zurich

    2 March 2025

    Live Audition Zurich (preliminary round by video)

    12/13 April 2025 → Registration link please find in the “Aptitude test” section

    Live Audition Barcelona, Spain

    15/16 March 2025 → Registration link please find in the “Aptitude test” section

    Live Audition Livorno, Italy

    26/27 April 2025 → Registration link please find in the “Aptitude test” section

    Course commencement

    25 August 2025

  • 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 about 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

  • 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.