Registration and admissions process

BA Design

Thank you for your interest in the Bachelor's programme in Design 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 Design at Zurich University of the Arts (StO BA Design § 4 ff.). 
Mandatory, additional requirements regarding preparatory training in design are set out in the section “Application documents”.

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

    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.

    1. Proof of meeting at least one of the following conditions:

      • Completion of a recognized vocational education and training programme (VET) (List of accepted professions, PDF in German)
      • One year of work experience or an internship in a professional environment (100% employment rate)
      • Two semesters of a preparatory course in design/art and design (Foundation Course / Propedeutic Programme)
      • Academic upper secondary school leaving certificate (Gymnasium Matura) with a specialization in Visual Arts, or a Professional Baccalaureate in Design, or a Specialized Secondary School in Arts, combined with a preparatory course in design/art and design (Foundation Course / Propedeutic Programme)
      • Academic upper secondary school leaving certificate (Gymnasium Matura) with a specialization in Visual Arts, or a Professional Baccalaureate in Design, or a Specialized Secondary School in Arts, combined with a six-month internship (100% employment rate).

        According to Section 21(2) of the General Regulations, admission to the Bachelor's degree programme in Design requires applicants, in addition to meeting the general admission requirements, to satisfy at least one of the these conditions.
         
    2. 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.
         
    3. 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.
       
    4. 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.
       
    5. 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.
       
    6. 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.
       
    7. 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.
       
    8. 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.
       
    9. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
      Please submit in tabular form, no prose texts.
       
    10. 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.

    11. 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.

  • Presentation of portfolio and homework assignment by major

    Cast / Audiovisual Media

    The admission procedure for Cast / Audiovisual Media is only carried out in German, as a very good knowledge of German is a prerequisite for studying. Portfolios and homework assignments may be submitted digitally (online) or physically.

    • Portfolio
      Candidates are free to choose their style of presentation and medium. We accept analog and digital submissions. Digital media (URLs or PDFs) should be uploaded whenever possible and not submitted as data carriers. Ideally, portfolios will consist of 3 to 5 selected projects. These should be listed in a table of contents.
    • Homework assignment 
      Please choose a medium (digital or analog) that best suits your proposed solution. You are free to choose the format in which you present your final result. Digital formats should be provided online (URL or PDFs). Please justify and document your conceptual ideas in a short text, if required with attachments.
       

    Game Design

    • Portfolio
      Candidates are free to choose their style of presentation and medium. We accept analog and digital submissions. Do not submit any three-dimensional works (objects, sculptures etc.). If you are submitting analog work samples, we prefer originals, copies on paper, or hard copies. Samples should be no larger than A2. Digital submissions should be URLs or otherwise provided on suitable data carriers (USB stick, DVD, hard disk etc.). Digital submissions should be accompanied by partial printouts on paper (to provide a better overview of your work).
    • Homework assignment
      Please choose a medium (digital or analog) that best suits your proposed solution. You are free to choose the format in which you present your final result. Digital formats should be provided online (URL) or on an adequate data carrier (USB stick, DVD, hard disk etc.). Please explain and document your conceptual considerations in writing.
       

    Industrial Design

    • Portfolio
      We are interested in sketches and images and studies of two and three-dimensional projects that convey your talent for observation, creativity and design skills. Your interest in objects, aspects of construction and their implementation in different materials should definitely be mentioned in the portfolio, as should your focus on shape and colour. We like to see and evaluate insights into your conceptual work, development process and engagement with the environment. What information and how much of it you provide is up to you to decide. The format of the portfolios should be between A2 and A4, ideally on paper or bound as a booklet. It is not possible to submit three-dimensional work samples. These must be documented and attached on paper printouts. If they are of key importance (e.g. moving image), animations or websites can be submitted, either by providing the relevant internet address (URL) or on YouTube or Vimeo. 
    • Homework assignment
      Please choose a medium (digital or analog) that best suits your proposed solution. You are free to choose the format in which you present your final result. Paper submissions should be no larger than A2. Digital or interactive submissions should be provided online (URL). Include a partial printout on A4 paper with each digital presentation. Please explain and document your conceptual considerations on no more than half an A4 page (include attachments if necessary).
       

    Interaction Design

    We invite you to submit your portfolio and homework assignment in digital format only. 

    • Portfolio
      You are free to choose the format and presentation style that best showcases your work. It doesn't matter whether you originally worked in A4, A3 or A2 – the important thing is that your submission is in digital format (URLs or PDF). 
      Take the opportunity to show a wide range of work samples: from concept development, storyboards and video productions to hand drawings and artistic or technological projects from various subject areas. A clear table of contents will help make your portfolio easy to navigate. 
      Limit your selection to a maximum of 12 pieces of work to create a clear and compelling overview. Three-dimensional works such as sculptures, objects or technical devices can be presented through photos or digital representations.
      Create a meaningful website for your submission, where all works are clearly linked.
      We cannot consider submissions via USB stick, DVD, QR code or .exe file. Videos, animations or interactive projects should be directly accessible via your website. 
    • Homework assignment
      For your implementation, choose the digital format (URLs or PDF) that best conveys your idea – from a clearly structured presentation to an interactive or multimedia implementation. It is essential that your result is available online and that you provide us with a working URL.
      Please explain your conceptual considerations in a text of no more than 900 characters, including spaces. Additional digital materials may be added to illustrate your idea. Please refrain from submitting handwritten texts.
       

    Knowledge Visualization

    • Portfolio 
      We are interested in meaningful pictures, i.e. drawings, paintings and studies that demonstrate your power of observation, your craftsmanship and your interest in communicating contents in the clearest possible way. Portfolios should include sketches and study sheets as well as discussions of form and colour. We are happy to see and assess insights into conceptual work and processes. You may choose as many samples as you wish, but they should be well selected and curated. Preferred formats are between A2 and A4, ideally as original works or printed on paper, or collated in a brochure. Do not submit any three-dimensional samples. These must be enclosed as documentation on paper printouts. Digital works and animations may be printed out or enclosed on a USB stick – if essential to conveying the meaning of the samples. We do not recommend pure PDF-based applications.
    • Homework assignment 
      Please choose a medium (digital or analog) that best suits your proposed solution. We are very interested in your creative process and the resulting sketches. You may choose the format of the final result, but this should not exceed A2.
      If you decide to submit your assignment digitally, please limit yourself to the formats .pdf, animation in .html. preferably on a USB stick. Please enclose a partial printout on paper A4 with each digital presentation. Please justify and document your conceptual considerations on max. half an A4 page, if necessary with attachments. We advise against pure PDF-based applications, unless the corresponding media-specific staging is obvious.
       

    Trends & Identity

    • Portfolio 
      The portfolio contains approximately five projects in different media. It is important to demonstrate your own strengths and interests. The process should always be visible, not just the end result. Work such as photographs, drawings and texts must be presented on paper or as paper printouts. The format should be between A4 and A2. You are welcome to add short texts explaining the projects. Freely chosen works and commissioned or assignment-based pieces can all be included in the portfolio. Please do not submit three-dimensional works. These must be shown in images. Digital works should be accessible via QR code if possible.
    • Homework assignment 
      Please choose a medium (digital or analog) that best suits your proposed solution. You are free to choose the format in which your present your result (max. A2 format for paper submissions). If you opt for digital presentation, the same specifications apply as for the portfolio. Also include a partial printout on A4 paper with every digital presentation. Make sure you justify and document your conceptual deliberations in a concise text.
       

    Visual Communication

    • Portfolio 
      We are interested in meaningful pictures, i.e. drawings and studies. You may also submit photographic works that demonstrate your observational skills, your command of the basic technical skills, and your analytical skills. Your portfolio should include various aspects of typography and provide a clear sense of how you visualize your approach to form and colour. You may share any insights into your conceptual work and processes, as well as any products in the field of visual communication. You are free to choose how many samples you present but it is important that these reflect your design aspirations. Choose a suitable format in the range between A2 and A4, ideally submitting your work on paper or as printouts. Brochures are also acceptable. Suitable materials and the look-and-feel of your work (its haptic dimension) are important in our context. If you are submitting three-dimensional samples, animations, or websites, you should print these out and enclose them in your folder. We discourage purely PDF-based submissions unless the choice of medium is self-explanatory.
    • Homework assignment
      Please choose a medium (digital or analog) that best suits your proposed solution. We are especially interested in your choice of materials and in the look-and-feel of your work (its haptic dimension). You are free to choose the format in which you present your final result. Paper submissions should be no larger than A2. If you are making a digital submission, please include a partial printout on A4 paper. Please explain and document your conceptual considerations on no more than half an A4 page (include attachments if necessary). We discourage purely PDF-based submissions unless the choice of medium is self-explanatory.

  • Admission procedure

    Registration for the admission procedure includes the submission of the registration documents, the portfolio and the solving of the homework assignment on a given subject.

    On the basis of these documents, an invitation to the entrance examination and an aptitude interview before an entrance examination committee is issued in the case of a positive result (see “Dates”).

    Aptitude test

    Duration: One-day examinations are held per application/major (for Cast / Audiovisual Media the interview will take place on a separate date) and cover the following areas:

    • Candidates are given an assignment and may be asked to present their results on the same day. Examination tasks are formulated in accordance with the specific requirements of the chosen major and need to be carried out using different means in the time available. Tasks are designed to examine candidates’ conceptual skills, creative potential and communication skills.
    • An interview with the admissions board about the submitted portfolio.

  • Dates

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

    Information day

    21 November 2025

    Online application opens

    17 November 2025

    Homework assignment

    22 January 2026

    Closing date for online applications

    26 January 2026

    Confirmation of acceptance to admissions process

    until 5 February 2026

    Submission deadline for portfolio and homework assignment by post (or online for Cast / Audiovisual Media)

    up to 10 February 2026

    Submission of portfolios and homework assignment in house

    on 10 February 2026 from 10:00 to 18:00 h, Level 3 (follow the signs in the entrance hall)
    Note: A representative can also be assigned for this appointment.

    Rejections or summons to pay examination fee

    4 March 2026

    Invitations to aptitude test (if examination fee has been transferred)

    10 March 2026

    Admissions examinations

    16 March – 1 April 2026

    Admissions decisions

    until 14 April 2026

    Return of Portfolio (for those who are not admitted to study)

    on 19 and 21 May 2026 from 15:00–18:00 h
    Address: Zurich University of the Arts, Toni-Areal, Pfingstweidstrasse 96, 8005 Zurich
    (room 4.E13, Level 4)
    Note: A representative can also be assigned for this appointment.

    Course commencement

    14 September 2026
     

    Admissions examinations by major

    • Trends & Identity:
      16 March 2026, 9:00–17:00 h
    • Interaction Design:
      17/18 March 2026, 9:00–17:00 h
    • Industrial Design:
      19/20 March 2026, 8:45–17:00 h
    • Game Design:
      23/24 March 2026, 9:00–18:30 h
    • Visual Communication:
      25/26 March 2026, 9:00–17:00 h
    • Knowledge Visualization:
      30 March 2026, 9:00–17:30 h
    • Cast / Audiovisual Media:
      31 March / 1 April 2026, 9:00–18:30 h

  • 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.