Minor Selection

The most important information on the minor selection process:

  • Generally, the minor selection takes place in spring for minors starting in the autumn semester. In certain cases, students may also choose a minor starting in the spring semester.
  • Information on the minor programme can be found on the major pages.
  • Places are not allocated on a “first come, first serve” basis. There is therefore enough time to decide on a minor. 
  • There are space restrictions in many minors. It is therefore advisable to indicate several priorities (maximum 5) in the Minor Selection in order to obtain a minor place.
  • A minor comprises either 15 or 30 credits. If a 15-credit minor is chosen, a second minor is chosen one year later.
  • The “SWITCH edu-ID” is required for the minor selection. Forgotten passwords can be reset directly in the login screen. New students create a SWITCH edu-ID account as part of the online admission procedure (ONLA).

Allocation  

Students select a minor in the Minor Selection. As the number of places is limited in many minors, it is recommended that you indicate several priorities (maximum 5) in the Minor Selection. Places on minors are allocated at the same time in May. Wherever possible (depending on the number of places available), students are allocated a place on their most preferred minor. The number of priorities chosen has no influence on the allocation of first priority.

Dates 

Minor Selection
10 March – 30 March 2026, 11:59 PM (Music students)
17 March – 18 May 2026, 11:59 PM (All BA students, except Music students)
17 March* – 18 May 2026, 11:59 PM (All MA students, except Music students)

Assessment of entry-level competencies (only if the minor requires specific entry-level competencies)**
6 April – 4 May 2026 (Music students)
26–30 May 2026 (All students, except Music students)

Minor place allocation
4 June 2026

* New MA students: Minor selection opens upon admission to the Master’s program, latest 7 May 2026.
** The PDFs “More about this Minor”, which are linked on the Minor pages, specify whether an assessment of entry-level competencies is required.

Participation Regulations for the Minors

Programme Combination 

Possible programme combinations are listed on the website of each major under “Possible Major-Minor Combinations”.   

Level of Study 

Many minors are open to students from both levels of study (Bachelor and Master). Some, however, are only open to one level. Details are indicated on the website of each minor under “Level of Study”.  

Entry-Level Competencies 

Minors may require students to possess certain entry-level competencies. For details, please see the PDF “More about this Minor” on the website of the respective minor.  

Self-Declaration and Assessment of Entry-Level Competencies  

Entry-level competencies for minors are assessed in two ways:  

  • Self-declaration: Prospective students confirm that they possess the required competencies. 
  • Assessment of entry-level competencies: Students are required to demonstrate that they possess the necessary entry-level competencies by means of assignments, work samples (presentation, portfolio, dossier), projects or interviews (online or on-site). The specific tasks are listed for the corresponding minors on the website under “Assessment of Entry-Level Competencies”.

Language Requirements 

For details on language requirements, please see the PDF “More about this Minor” on the website of the respective minor.

Embedding Minors in the Degree Programme

Minors usually commence in the autumn semester. Students choose their minor(s) and are allocated places in the preceding semester.

Minor programmes comprise either 30 or 15 credits, with 30-credit minors generally running over four semesters and 15-credit minors over two semesters. 30-credits minors only have to be chosen once. Students who choose a 15-credit minor must choose a second 15-credit minor a year later.

Minor Selection for Bachelor’s Students

Bachelor’s students concentrate exclusively on their major during their first year of study and choose their (first) minor during the second semester of their programme, minor classes begin in the third semester. When studying a minor with 15 credits, the second minor is chosen in the fourth semester and teaching begins in the fifth semester.

Bachelor’s programmes comprise 180 credits (Major 150 credits, Minor(s) 30 credits).

Minor Selection for Master's Students

On receiving confirmation of place on their major, Master’s students are required to accept their place and choose their minor before starting their programme. When studying a minor with 15 credits, the second minor is chosen in the second semester, with classes starting in the third semester.

Master’s programmes comprise 120 credits (Major 90 credits, Minor(s) 30 credits).

Student Advice

The ZHdK Advisory Network helps students to understand the programme structure and supports them before or during their studies. The advisory team also shows students how to find their way around the Major-Minor structure and which offerings they can combine.

FAQ

  • Where can I find more information about the minors? 

    There is a separate page for each major and minor on the website. The major pages list the minors that can be combined. The minor pages explain the programme content and registration conditions. In addition, all minors are presented at the minor information days. 

    → All minors

  • What is a minor with Fast Track?

    Minors with a minimum enrollment of 1, unlimited places, and no assessment of entry-level competencies are assigned through an accelerated process (called Fast Track). If you select such a minor as your first priority in the Minor Selection, you will be directly enrolled in it upon submitting your choice. Therefore, it is not possible to select additional minors alongside a first-priority Fast-Track Minor.

  • Can I choose two minors with 15 credits at the same time in the minor selection? 

    No, you can only choose one minor at a time. If you choose a minor with 15 credits, the second minor will usually be chosen later. In special cases, an Individual Area of Study (ISB) can be arranged with the Head of Department or Head of Major, so that a second minor is not necessary. A small group of minors starts in the spring semester and can be started parallel to the first minor. However, this is not sensible with all minors and requires more planning and coordination effort. It is generally not possible to drop a minor and start a new one without consulting the Head of Major.

  • Can I register for a minor without choosing a major?

    No, unfortunately this is not possible. However, there are some minors that are also offered as a CAS as part of a continuing education programme.

    → All continuing education programmes

  • Can I complete an exchange semester (outgoing) during my major-minor studies?

    Yes, as part of your studies at ZHdK, you have the opportunity to apply for and complete an exchange semester. You can find all information on the exchange semester process, in the intranet under Mobility Office.

    Please note that not all minors are equally compatible with an exchange semester, as at least part of the minor will be missed during the exchange. Be sure to discuss your options with the minor coordinator as early as possible.

    If you have any questions, the Mobility Office or the Student Advisory Network will be happy to assist you.

  • As an exchange student (incoming), can I choose a minor and complete it in full?

    As exchange students are usually only at ZHdK for one semester, they cannot usually complete a minor in full. However, there may be exceptions or opportunities to participate in minors via individual modules. The actual choice and implementation must be discussed with the responsible department.

  • I can’t log in to the Minor Selection. What should I do?

    • Open the minor selection in a different browser or on another device (e.g., mobile phone). If it still doesn’t work, clear the cache. If you are on-site at the Toni-Areal, you can also make your minor selection at a public computer terminal.
    • Check whether you are using the correct email address for the SWITCH edu-ID login:
    1. Go to eduid.ch
    2. Log in using the same email address you are trying to use to access the minor selection
    3. Under “Organizations” ZHdK must be listed as a linked organizational identity
    4. If ZHdK is not listed under “Organizations” your SWITCH edu-ID is not linked to ZHdK, and you will not be recognized as a student

    Instructions on how to resolve this issue can be found on this page: SWITCH edu-ID (intranet page, not accessible to people without a ZHdK login and not available in English).

    Please do not create a second edu-ID account under any circumstances, as this would cause further identification issues.

    To simplify the login process, it is recommended to link both a personal and the ZHdK email address to your SWITCH edu-ID.

  • I have not received a minor place or have missed the opportunity to register for a minor. How do I proceed?

    The minor selection for the autumn semester closes in May. If you have not been assigned to a minor or have not yet chosen one, you will have another opportunity in August to select from the options still available. Starting mid-August, you will see in the minor selection which minors still have places available. You will need to submit your choice by the end of August. You will be contacted directly by your student office with further instructions.

  • When will I see which minors I can choose in the 2nd phase?

    As soon as the 2nd phase is open (see “Dates 2nd phase Minor Selection”), the Minor Selection will show which minors still have places available and can be selected for your own major.

  • My first-choice minor in the first phase still seems to have available spots in the second phase. Why was I not allocated to this minor in the first phase, even though I selected it as my first choice?

    In the first phase, there were more applications with first priority for this minor than available spots. Allocation was done randomly.
    In the second selection phase, spots may become available again because students who received a place in the first phase may have dropped the minor in the meantime for various reasons (e.g., exchange semester, leave of absence, interruption of studies).

  • Does the number of chosen priorities affect the chances of being allocated to the minor?

    No. The number of priorities selected does not influence how the system allocates students to the minor. The algorithm is designed so that having few or many priorities does not provide any advantage or disadvantage. This ensures that allocation is random and free from bias.

  • How is the allocation of minor places carried out exactly?

    • For the allocation of places, the students are arranged in a random order.
    • To determine the optimal order, the system simulates 10 million possible allocation variants.
    • The optimum is defined as having as many first priorities assigned as possible.
    • Whether a person receives their first priority depends on their position in the order of the optimal allocation variant.
    • The number of priorities selected has no influence on the chance of being assigned the first priority.
    • If no places are available in the first priority, students are assigned to their subsequent priorities. When calculating the optimum, it is also considered how many second, third, etc., priorities are enabled across the entire student cohort. If multiple allocation variants result in the same number of assigned first priorities, the variant that assigns more second priorities is better, then the one that assigns more third priorities, and so on.
    • The allocation is purely demand-driven; economic considerations do not play a role (e.g., that minors should be filled as much as possible or that students are assigned to their second priority so that the minor reaches its minimum enrollment).

  • How does the allocation system ensure equal opportunities and fairness?

    The minor allocation system is demand-oriented and optimized to enable as many first-choice assignments as possible. Economic considerations do not play a role. Our primary goal is to ensure equal opportunities and fairness. For this reason, the algorithm was developed in collaboration with specialists.

  • Why is there no guarantee that I will receive one of my top 3 choices, and what role does chance play in the allocation?

    The procedure is designed to maximize the total number of first-choice allocations across the entire cohort. Guaranteeing one of the top 3 choices would inevitably reduce the total number of first-choice allocations and could lead to more overall dissatisfaction.Chance only plays a role in the initial sequencing for the first allocation (assignment to the first priority). By simulating ten million variants, the system finds the best possible solution for the entire cohort, so the element of chance is much smaller than in a purely random lottery. The second selection phase in August is not a direct compensation mechanism; it is an organizationally necessary step to allow students without an allocated minor (e.g., returning from leave, not assigned a minor in the first phase) to choose a minor. Nevertheless, it provides another opportunity to secure a minor, even if the selection is smaller. We are also closely monitoring how available spots develop. Allocations are carefully tracked and analyzed, and a committee oversees the entire process, reporting numbers and notable observations to university management.

  • Can I change my submitted minor selection again?

    No, a minor selection that has been submitted and completed cannot be changed again, even if the selection period is still running. In the minor selection, you will be explicitly informed before submitting your selection that it will be final. 

  • Am I able to withdraw from my minor?

    A minor withdrawal is only possible under certain circumstances, which depend, among other things, on the timing of the withdrawal (see the Withdrawal and Change Minor):

    • Before module enrolment (including automatically generated enrolments): Students may withdraw from their assigned minor without providing a reason.
       
    • After module enrolment: Withdrawal is only permitted for structural reasons, e.g., during an exchange semester, leave of absence, illness, or accident. Credits already earned will either be credited to an Individual Area of Study (ISB) or may be transferred to a new minor, provided the minor coordinator confirms this.
       
    • After module enrollment, at the end of the semester: Withdrawing from a minor is also possible at the end of the current semester. Modules that have already been started must be attended until the end of the semester, and the required assessments must be completed as scheduled. The request to withdraw from a minor at the end of the semester must be submitted in due time. The official deadlines for the “Change of Study Situation” are 15 May and 30 October and must be strictly observed. Students who do not select a new minor in the next possible minor selection after withdrawing will not lose the credits they have earned: the completed credits will automatically be assigned to the Individual Area of Study (ISB).


    In any case, contact the student office of your major to discuss your options.

  • Are there waiting lists for the minors?

    No, there are no waiting lists for the minors.

  • Do all minors require an initial competency assessment?

    No, only some minors require this. And if required, it’s sometimes for all students and sometimes depending on the students’ major. This is indicated on the pages of the relevant minors under “More information about this minor”.

  • Where can I find information on the assessment of entry-level competencies?

    Information on the assessment of entry-level competencies required by the minor can be found on the minor pages under “More information about this minor”.

  • When do the assessments of entry-level competencies take place? Are they on site?

    If the assessment of entry-level competencies requires the submission of documents (dossier, work samples, etc.), these will be uploaded directly with the minor selection.

    If the assessment of entry-level competencies includes an examination date, you will receive an invitation by e-mail. Details of the date and location can be found on the minor's website. 

  • I do not yet have the necessary entry-level competencies at the time of choosing the minor. Can I catch up on these by the start of the minor?

    No, the required competencies will be checked before the minor is allocated.

  • I do not yet have the necessary language skills at the time of choosing the minor. Can I still choose the minor and acquire the language skills by the start of the minor?

    Yes, because language skills are not tested. It is your own responsibility to have the required language skills.

  • If I successfully complete the entry-level competencies, am I guaranteed a place in the minor?

    No, successfully completing the assessment of entry-level competencies does not guarantee a place in the relevant minor (if there is a restriction on places). It does entitle you to participate in the allocation of places.

  • Can I have modules from a minor I have not completed recognized?  

    In general, this is possible. The modules can be credited to the Individual Area of Study (ISB) but not toward a major or another minor. The Head of Major is responsible for the recognition of credits in the Individual Area of Study (ISB).

    → More about the Individual Area of Study (ISB)