Registration and admission process

Major – BA in Music, Sound Engineering

Thank you for your interest in the Bachelor’s programme in Sound Engineering 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

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

Language skills

The language of instruction is German. Foreign-language applicants must provide proof of competence in the language of instruction, see also “application documents, point: language skills”.

  • Application documents for Sound Engineering Classical Music

    1. Letter of motivation (in German, max. two A4 pages): 
      • Personal details: school education, musical education, musical activities, knowledge of music software, leisure activities, etc.
      • Personal statement: Why do I want to study Sound Engineering at ZHdK? How do I envision my professional future? 
         
    2. Dossier with own recordings: 
      • Submit 3 different pieces or work excerpts totaling a maximum of approx. 10 minutes in length (scores/texts/images as pdf file, audio as mp3 file, video as mp4 file).
      • Give an opinion about your recordings. Summarize your opinion (max. two A4 pages) in a single pdf file. Name this file “opinion.pdf”. 
      • Optional: compile a list of links where more information about your work can be found (personal website, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Vimeo, etc.). Name this file “links.pdf”.
      • Convert all files into a  ZIP file and upload it in the online application. 
      • Convert all files and folders into a ZIP file (max. 1.95 GB) and upload the ZIP file in your online registration. If the file exceeds 1.95 GB, the video and audio files must be compressed beforehand (mp4, mp3).
      • Important: The files must be labeled with your first and last name. The file name must not contain any special characters such as \ / : * ? " < > | é, â, ç, Ï or umlauts such as ä, ö, ü, as these can cause compatibility issues.
         
    3. Audiogram (not older than 2 months; issued by a doctor)
       
    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. Exmatriculation certificate
      Confirmation of exmatriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue of the certificate 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 (portrait) 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 for Sound Engineering Classical Music

    Only a few study places are available. If a candidate passes the aptitude test but is not accepted due to a lack of study places, he/she must repeat the examination when re-applying for later admission to the degree programme.

    Candidates who do not receive a study place following the aptitude test will not automatically be accepted into PreCollege Music. If you are interested in the PreCollege, we recommend that you also register for PreCollege Music in full by 1 March.

    1. Homework assignment
      Candidates will receive an assignment by email. This must be completed and submitted within the specified deadline (see “Dates”). Length: Maximum two A4 pages. The assignment will be discussed in detail during the oral exam.
       
    2. Sound Engineering exam 
      • Preparation (1 hour) 
        • Analyse a simple piece of music 
        • Prepare two short sample scores on the piano (a melody in alto clef and a transposing instrument). 
        • Solve sound-engineering-related issues on an audio device.  
      • Oral test (30 minutes) 
        • Give a short presentation of key observations about the prepared piece of music 
        • Play both sample scores 
        • General questions about mathematics, information technology and electronics 
        • Take part in a discussion about sound-engineering issues. Candidates will receive feedback from the examiner after this section of the test. 

          Interview 
          Interviews focus on candidate's previous training, their personal goals and career prospects, and course organization. Questions refer to the motivation letter submitted with the application. 
           
    3. Instrumental/vocal audition (on the instrument you would like to be taught on at ZHdK)
      Duration: ca. 20 minutes, individual 
      Artistic performance:
      Candidates are required to play prepared repertoire pieces/movements from different periods, including one modern piece/movement. The Admissions Committee will listen to a selection of material. Candidates are expected to perform pieces/movements of at least medium difficulty. Candidates must indicate in their online-application if they require an accompanist.
       
    4. Written and oral examination in Music Theory 
      All information on the examination can be found here in the section “Aptitude Test core subject Instrumental / Vocal” under 2. “Written examination in music theory” and 3. "Integrated aptitude test". 

  • Application documents for Sound Engineering Jazz

    1. Letter of motivation (in German, max. two A4 pages) : 
      • Personal details: school education, musical education, musical activities, knowledge of music software, leisure activities, etc.
      • Personal statement: Why do I want to study Sound Engineering at ZHdK? How do I envision my professional future? 
         
    2. Dossier with own recordings: 
      • Submit 3 different pieces or work excerpts totaling a maximum of approx. 10 minutes in length (scores/texts/images as pdf file, audio as mp3 file, video as mp4 file).
      • Give an opinion about your recordings. Summarize your opinion (max. two A4 pages) in a single pdf file. Name this file “opinion.pdf”. 
      • Optional: compile a list of links where more information about your work can be found (personal website, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Vimeo, etc.). Name this file “links.pdf”.
      • Convert all files and folders into a ZIP file (max. 1.95 GB) and upload the ZIP file in your online registration. If the file exceeds 1.95 GB, the video and audio files must be compressed beforehand (mp4, mp3).
      • Important: The files must be labeled with your first and last name. The file name must not contain any special characters such as \ / : * ? " < > | é, â, ç, Ï or umlauts such as ä, ö, ü, as these can cause compatibility issues. 
         
    3. Audiogram (not older than 2 months; issued by a doctor)
       
    4. Videoportfolio
      All information on the content and requirements can be found here under the section “Admission to the aptitude test on the basis of a video portfolio, as part of the online application”.
       
    5. 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, Specialized Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).
       
    6. Exmatriculation certificate
      Confirmation of exmatriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue of the certificate is pending, confirmation must be submitted later.
       
    7. Social security number
      If you live or work in Switzerland, you will find your Swiss social security number (756...) on either your AHV card or your Swiss health insurance card.
       
    8. 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.
       
    9. Identity card or passport
      Please submit a copy of your identity card or passport.
       
    10. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
      Please submit in tabular form, no prose texts.
       
    11. Language skills
      The required language skills according to the study regulations can be demonstrated as follows:
      • Native speaker of German/English (does not have to be proven)
      • German/Englisch as a subject examined as part of your previous education – passed or at least grade 4 (submit upper secondary transcript as PDF)
      • Recognized certificate in German/English (according to the list ‘Anerkannte Sprachzertifikate’)
        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.
         
    12. 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 (portrait) format. If you wish to upload several individual PDF files, you may do so one after the other.

    → Important: After the evaluation of the application documents, the jury decides on the admission to the aptitude test.

  • Aptitude test for Sound Engineering Jazz

    Only a few study places are available. If a candidate passes the aptitude test but is not accepted due to a lack of study places, he/she must repeat the examination when re-applying for later admission to the degree programme.

    Candidates who do not receive a study place following the aptitude test will not automatically be accepted into PreCollege Music. If you are interested in the PreCollege, we recommend that you also register for PreCollege Music in full by 1 March.

    1. Homework assignment 
      Candidates will receive an assignment by email.This must be completed and submitted within the specified deadline (see “Dates”). Length: Maximum two A4 pages. The assignment will be discussed in detail during the oral exam.
       
    2. Sound Engineering test
      • Preparation (1 hour)
        • Analyse a simple piece of music
        • Prepare two short sample scores on the piano (a melody in alto clef and a transposing instrument)
        • Solve sound-engineering-related issues on an audio device
      • Oral test (30 minutes)
        • Give a short presentation of key observations about the prepared piece of music
        • Play both sample scores
        • General questions about mathematics, information technology and electronics
        • Take part in a discussion about sound-engineering issues. Candidates will receive feedback from the examiner after this section of the test.
        • Panel: Sound Engineering lecturers and representatives from the Department Committee
           
    3. Additional exams jazz 
      → All information about the remaining parts of the exam can be found here, keyword “Aptitude test for the core subject Jazz”

  • Application documents for Sound Engineering Pop

    1. Letter of motivation (in German, max. two A4 pages): 
      • Personal details: school education, musical education, musical activities, knowledge of music software, leisure activities, etc.
      • Personal statement: Why do I want to study Sound Engineering at ZHdK? How do I envision my professional future? 
         
    2. Dossier with own recordings: 
      • Submit 3 different pieces or work excerpts totaling a maximum of approx. 10 minutes in length (scores/texts/images as pdf file, audio as mp3 file, video as mp4 file).
      • Give an opinion about your recordings. Summarize your opinion (max. two A4 pages) in a single pdf file. Name this file “opinion.pdf”. 
      • Optional: compile a list of links where more information about your work can be found (personal website, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Vimeo, etc.). Name this file “links.pdf”.
      • Convert all files and folders into a ZIP file (max. 1.95 GB) and upload the ZIP file in your online registration. If the file exceeds 1.95 GB, the video and audio files must be compressed beforehand (mp4, mp3).
      • Important: The files must be labeled with your first and last name. The file name must not contain any special characters such as \ / : * ? " < > | é, â, ç, Ï or umlauts such as ä, ö, ü, as these can cause compatibility issues. 
         
    3. Audiogram (not older than 2 months; issued by a doctor)
       
    4. Videoportfolio
      All information on the content and requirements can be found here under the section “Admission to the aptitude test on the basis of a videoportfolio, as part of the online application”.
       
    5. 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, Specialized Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).
    6. Exmatriculation certificate
      Confirmation of exmatriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue of the certificate is pending, confirmation must be submitted later.
    7. Social security number
      If you live or work in Switzerland, you will find your Swiss social security number (756...) on either your AHV card or your Swiss health insurance card.
    8. 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.
    9. Identity card or passport
      Please submit a copy of your identity card or passport.
    10. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
      Please submit in tabular form, no prose texts.
    11. Language skills
      The required language skills according to the study regulations can be demonstrated as follows:
      • Native speaker of German/English (does not have to be proven)
      • German/Englisch as a subject examined as part of your previous education – passed or at least grade 4 (submit upper secondary transcript as PDF)
      • Recognized certificate in German/English (according to the list ‘Anerkannte Sprachzertifikate’)
        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.
    12. 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 (portrait) format. If you wish to upload several individual PDF files, you may do so one after the other.

    → Important: After the evaluation of the application documents, the jury decides on the admission to the aptitude test.

  • Aptitude test for Sound Engineering Pop

    Only a few study places are available. If a candidate passes the aptitude test but is not accepted due to a lack of study places, he/she must repeat the examination when re-applying for later admission to the degree programme.

    Candidates who do not receive a study place following the aptitude test will not automatically be accepted into PreCollege Music. If you are interested in the PreCollege, we recommend that you also register for PreCollege Music in full by 1 March.

    The exam consists of several parts:

    1. Homework assignment 
      Candidates will receive an assignment by email. This must be completed and submitted within the specified deadline (see “Dates”). Length: Maximum two A4 pages. The assignment will be discussed in detail during the oral exam.
       
    2. Sound Engineering test 
      • Preparation (1 hour)
        • Analyse a simple piece of music
        • Prepare two short sample scores on the piano (a melody in alto clef and a transposing instrument).
        • Solve sound-engineering-related issues on an audio device.
      • Oral test (30 minutes)
        • Give a short presentation of key observations about the prepared piece of music
        • Play both sample scores
        • General questions about mathematics, information technology and electronics
        • Take part in a discussion about sound-engineering issues. Candidates will receive feedback from the examiner after this section of the test.
        • Panel: Sound Engineering lecturers and representatives from the Department Committee
           
    3. Additional exams Pop 
      → All information about the remaining parts of the exam can be found here in the section “Aptitude test Pop”.

  • Dates

    Information day

    20 November 2025

    Online application

    6 January – 1 March 2026

    Notification of admission to the aptitude test (Sound Engineering Jazz/Pop)

    From 1 April 2026

    Homework assignment

    7–21 April 2026

    Aptitude test

    Sound Engineering Classical Music
    24 April – 2 May 2026

    Sound Engineering Jazz
    6–17 April, 28 April and 2 May 2026

    Sound Engineering Pop
    27 April – 2 May 2026

    Publication of the results

    Mid-May 2026

    Start of studies

    14 September 2026

  • 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 at least 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

    Importing musical instruments into Switzerland

    Please note the regulations for importing musical instruments into Switzerland. If you intend to import musical instruments into other countries, please consult the corresponding import regulations upon leaving Switzerland.

  • 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.

→ Online registration BA Sound Engineering Jazz/Pop

→ Online registration BA Sound Engineering Classical Music

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