Candidates may apply for a maximum of two major fields of study when applying to the Bachelor’s programme in Design. For each major, a separate application must be sent in. In addition to the online application, a portfolio including a homework assignment is required. The registration and examination fee only needs to be paid once. Should you be applying for two majors, please contact us via email.
The department is not in a position to discuss examination results in person or in writing.
- Portfolio and Homework Assignment
In order to assess candidate’s aptitude for pursuing degree work in their chosen major, they are required to submit a portfolio consisting of:- Documentation of previous work: only work samples relevant to the chosen major should be submitted, i.e. samples that demonstrate your engagement with design and/or technology in terms of your previous learning biography. Also note that we will be assessing not only the contents of your portfolio but also the manner of presentation.
- Format: Sheets must be at least DIN A5, no larger than DIN A2 (42 x 60 cm), and no thicker than 10 cm.
- Include approx. 5 selected projects (a series of images documenting the various stages of a project is also acceptable), together with a brief description of each project, e.g. the context in which the project was carried out (school, leisure time, etc.).
- A table of contents must be attached to each portfolio (physical and digital).
- If URLs are allowed by the major, links with a short expiry date (e.g. WeTransfer) may not be submitted. Links must function for ZHdK unchanged from February to the end of April.
- Further information about the presentation of the portfolio and the homework assignment can be found below (see “Major-specific presentation requirements for portfolios and homework assignment”)
- Homework assignment
The topic of the homework assignment will be announced by the end of January. See the list of dates below for details and the corresponding link.
Submission of portfolio and homework assignment- Please use these labels only for labelling your portfolio, both in case of personal delivery and shipping. Please note the deadline under “Dates”.
- In house (submission only possible on the submission date):
Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Toni-Areal, Pfingstweidstrasse 96, 8005 Zurich
10:00–18:00 h, Level 3 (follow the signs in the entrance hall)
Note: A representative can also be appointed to deliver the submission. - By post (receipt up to the submission deadline):
Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Toni-Areal, Bachelor Design Programme Office, Pfingstweidstrasse 96, P.O. Box, 8031 Zurich - Digital (entry by the submission deadline): Only possible for Cast / Audiovisual Media (only in German) and Interaction Design.
- Portfolio returns
Admitted applicants may pick up their portfolio at the beginning of their studies from their respective major office.
Applicants who have not been admitted will find the two dates for portfolio returns under “Dates”. Please collect your portfolios at: Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Toni-Areal, Pfingstweidstrasse 96, 8005 Zurich
Please note that we do not return portfolios by post. If you are unable to collect your portfolio yourself on the two days indicated, you may appoint someone else in your place. Uncollected portfolios will only be retained until 30 September of the year of application.
- Motivation letter
This should state your creative intentions and provide details of your motivation, i.e. your reasons for applying to Zurich University of the Arts and for your preferred major.
- 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.
- Ex-matriculation certificate
Confirmation of ex-matriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue is pending, confirmation must be submitted later.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Resume / Curriculum Vitae
Please submit in tabular form, no prose texts.
- 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.
- 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.