Content and structure

Course content.

Editing audiovisual work demands the development of a personal  artistic attitude, dramatic expression, ability to self-analyse, as well as patience and perseverance. In the Master's Major in “Film Editing”, you will learn about research, dramaturgy, scene resolution and film analysis. The course  covers specific theoretical approaches to film editing and the basic technical aspects of editing and pre-visualization methods.

Course structure.

Academic year 1: Acquiring skills and developing a visual concept

During the first academic year, you will acquire knowledge and develop your skills by attend-ing classes and lectures and complete independent editing exercises. You will also work on a documentary and fictional project to be completed together with students in the Master's Majors in “Directing Fiction”, “Screenwriting”, “Documentary Filmmaking”, “Cinematography” and “Creative Producing”. In the process, you will receive support from mentors. 

Academic year 2: Preparing and undertaking your master's thesis

During the second academic year, you will build on your knowledge of research issues in film studies at the University of Zurich. You will also begin with working on your master's thesis in the third semester and dedicate yourself completely to it in the final semester, while continuing to receive support from mentors.

The Master’s in Film degree programme comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. You will earn 90 credits from your Major and 30 credits from your Minor, which can be a specialization of your Major or a subject that expands on or supplements your main programme of study. You can find more information about the major-minor study model here.  

As a general rule, the course extends over four semesters (full-time study).
Provided the head of the programme agrees, it is possible to combine the course with work outside of your programme of study. Only the first semester must be completed on a full-time basis. All compulsory session dates are communicated well in advance.

Skills acquired in the course.

Practical work:

Within a set production framework and schedule, you will gain artistic experience in the field of film editing, a key aspect of which is discussing the content, dramatic composition, structure and pacing of the film with the director. You will conclude your studies by presenting two pieces of edited work created during your studies as part of a Directing Fiction and or Documentary Film master's thesis at ZHdK, or external/internal film projects approved by the head of the course, along with submitting a written reflection on your artistic contribution to these pieces.

Craft: Methods of film-making and film technology
You will develop your methodological, technical and practical film-making skills to a professional standard, together with the ability to incorporate dramaturgical, performative, visual and musical elements into a complete piece of cinematic art. In the process, you will have the continuous support of professors, lecturers and special guests from the film industry. You will complete two large dramaturgy-oriented exercises in the areas of feature-length film and documentary film and consolidate your technical editing skills and will work on specific projects in order to practise the editing process.

Theory: 

You will learn how to approach research issues of film studies at the University of Zurich’s Institute of Film Studies, which will also involve completing a written paper. However, the “practice-oriented theory” is also important. Therefore, you will systematically work on specific aspects of film-making while completing the short fiction project as part of your master's thesis in order to acquire an analytical and conceptual understanding of your own creative work.

Admissions requirements.

You have taken your first step as an editor, explored your own sense of aesthetics and have:

  • the desire and creativity to work as part of a team for extended periods of time to develop audiovisual narratives
  • an interest in creating believable cinematic characters that inspire empathy in viewers or leave viewers feeling unsettled by their contradictory nature
  • the desire to gain experience of editing documentary, fictional and essay-style works as well as works with a musical/rhythmic focus and to learn about your strengths and interests
  • a pressing need to tell stories that touch or provoke a reaction in an audience by engaging with issues that shape our society
  • a knack for dealing with criticism concerning artistic choices and content in a constructive way 
  • a desire to carefully observe and note how audiovisual communication affects you and to communicate these findings in an articulate way

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

  • Our professors and lecturers play an active role in the film industry and experts from the international film industry are frequently invited as guest lecturers. This means you benefit from a curriculum that is guided by experience and real-life practice, whilst having the opportunity to build an extensive, professional and international network within the film industry. 
  • The Film subject area is always providing fresh inspiration for artistic research. For in-stance, the Immersive Arts Space, where research into future technologies of the audiovisual industry is conducted, was built next door to our film studio. Findings from this research are also directly incorporated into teaching. New forms of audiovisual storytelling such as motion tracking, pre-visualization techniques and virtual production are developed, tested, and practiced.
  • Numerous festival entries and multiple wins at the prestigious student Oscars are testament to the impressive level of international success achieved by ZHdK students.
  • The shared campus allows all the ZHdK disciplines to be in close proximity with one another and offers a diverse infrastructure of the highest calibre. Students have ac-cess to superbly equipped workshops, a museum, concert halls, sound and film studios, rehearsal stages, studios, a library, and exhibition spaces. A rooftop garden, cinema, music club, cafés and a canteen also enable students to meet for recreational purposes.
  • Master’s students benefit from a new Major-Minor Programme Model, which is a first in Europe and prepares individuals for a networked, digital and agile world of work.