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    3. MA Composition and Theory, Sound Engineering
    More: MA Composition and Theory, Sound Engineering

    Registration and admission process

    Major โ€“ MA Composition and Theory, Sound Engineering

    Thank you for your interest in the Master's programme in Sound Engineering at Zurich University of the Arts.

    If interested in a Masterโ€™s degree applicants apply for admission to their chosen Major. Afterwards they separately choose their Minor. Both programmes Major and Minor will start in the first semester.

    โ†’ Detailed information on the Major-Minor programme structure at ZHdK
    โ†’ Detailed information on Minor Selection

    Admissions requirements

    For admissions and matriculation requirements, please refer to the Regulatory Framework for Bachelorโ€™s and Masterโ€™s Programmes at Zurich University of the Arts (RO ยง 19โ€“24).

    For additional requirements, including the language skills required for admission to the chosen major, please refer to the draft Programme Regulations of the Master of Compostion and Theory at Zurich University of the Arts (StO MA Compostion and Theory ยง 4 ff.).

    The drafts are not yet legally binding. They are subject to approval by the Board of Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).

    Language skills

    The language of instruction is German or English. Foreign-language applicants must provide proof of competence in the language of instruction, see also โ€œapplication documents, point 9: language skillsโ€.

    • Application documents

      1. Letter of motivation (max. two A4 pages) in German or English: 
        • 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 (max 1.95 GB): 

        • 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 pdf file. Name this file โ€œopinion.pdfโ€. 
        • Optional: compile a list of links where more information about your work can be found (personal website, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Vimeo, etc.). Name this file โ€œlinks.pdfโ€.
        • Convert all files and folders into a ZIP file 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).
      3. Audiogram (not older than 2 months, issued by a doctor)

      4. Matriculation number
        When registering for the ๏ฌrst 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 af๏ฌxed to your University entrance qualification (upper secondary school-leaving certificate โ€“ Baccalaureate, Vocational Baccalaureate, Specialised Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).

      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 either your AHV card or your Swiss health insurance card.

      7. Photograph JPG
        Please upload a recent passport quality photo โ€“ 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.

      10. Language skills
        The language skills required are listed for each degree programme in the programme regulations. Language skills can be demonstrated as follows:
        โ€“    Native speaker (does not have to be proven)
        โ€“    Required language as a subject in the educational certificate, passed or at least grade 4 (submit the upper secondary education transcript as a PDF)
        โ€“    Recognized certificate (according to the list โ€œRecognized Certificates for Language Requirementsโ€)
        โ€“    University degree (Bachelorโ€™s/Masterโ€™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.

    • Aptitude test

      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.

      The catalogue below provides an overview of the competencies to be tested. There is no guarantee that all areas will be completely covered. The purpose of the test is to get a clear idea of the candidateโ€™s abilities, which forms a basis for assessing whether or not they are capable of working on any weaknesses in the Masterโ€™s.

      A Written

      When applying, candidates submit a dossier of their own recordings.

      B Oral

      The oral test takes place in two or three blocks. A preparation time of 60 minutes is allowed.

      1. Sound engineering practical work (duration 25 minutes)
        1. Music Transmission Topics:

          • Expert operation of the infrastructure (DAW, periphery)
          • Clear understanding of the processes involved in music production
          • Targeted microphone use, editing and mixing
          • Understanding of sound aesthetics and ability to implement this
          • Principles of recording management

          • Examination content:
            Candidates bring a session with them on their own system, which they present in the test and discuss with the expert. General questions on the topics above will also be asked and discussed.
             
        2. Studio Technology Topics:

          • Mastery of analogue and digital signal processing systems (mixing desks, recorders, signal transmitters)
          • Knowledge of the requirements for synchronizing digital audio systems (and also video systems if appropriate)
          • Knowledge of the factors determining the quality of analogue and digital signal trans-mission, signal processing and storage
          • Knowledge of the mode of operation and the normal parameters of sound processing methods (EQ, dynamics, reverb etc.)

          • Examination process:
            Using the production that the candidate brings with them, questions specific to recording arising from the candidateโ€™s audio material or presentation will be discussed.
            As an alternative or in addition, candidates are given prepared audioclips with common errors or interference that are discussed together.

             
      2. Technical subjects (duration 25 minutes)
        1. Electrical Engineering Topics:

          • Fundamental knowledge of the basic principles of electrical engineering and general understanding of the elements found in electrical circuits. In-depth understanding of the mode of operation and properties of microphones and speakers.
          • Ability to analyse simple electrical circuits and general understanding of the most important types of filters and basic amplifier circuits with bipolar transistors and operational amplifiers.
             
          • Examination content:
            • Basic variables associated with charges, current and voltage
            • Electrical networks, circuit diagrams
            • Basic principles of electrical engineering
            • Elements of electrical networks
            • Network analysis
            • Properties of basic passive circuit elements
            • Measurements within electrical systems
            • Basic bipolar transistor circuit elements
            • Operational amplifier circuits
            • Block circuit diagrams
            • Basic structure of audio devices
            • Practical work: measurement techniques
            • Cables and leads
            • Microphones and speakers
            • Practical work: design and construct a simple circuit
               
        2. Digital Audio Technology Topics:

          • Ability to mathematically describe systems in time and frequency domain, knowledge of transducer principles between the analogue and digital spheres
          • Knowledge of the elementary signal processing algorithms and the most important digital sound recording media.
             
          • Examination content:
            • Properties of signals and systems
            • Properties of hearing
            • Basic principles of sampling (A/D conversion) and reconstruction (D/A conversion) and their practical uses
            • Digital signal transmission and interfaces
            • Data compression
            • Digital signal processing (FFT, z-transform, digital filters)
            • Digital sound recording media
            • Digital audio signal processing
               
        3. Acoustics Topics:
          • Understanding of basic acoustic phenomena both indoors and outdoors on a level that allows access to specialist literature.
             
          • Examination content:
            • Basic acoustics: basic acoustic variables, basic equations, types of sources, inverse-square law, analytical and numerical calculation methods
            • Measurement techniques: characteristics of signals, measuring instruments, impulse response and reverberation time measurement
            • Absorption, reflection and transmission: sound wave interaction with materials, types of absorbers, scattering elements
            • Room acoustics: statistical room acoustics, diffuse-field theory, geometric room acoustics, image source method, ray tracing, acoustic design of large rooms, wave-related room acoustics, room resonances, eigenmodes, acoustic design of small rooms
               
        4. Mathematics (IT) content:
          • Functions: trigonometric functions, exponential functions, logarithm, polynomial functions
          • Transformations: Fourier transform
          • Complex numbers: calculations with complex numbers, exponential notation, indices
          • Signal processing: system equations, types of filters, frequency response, impulse response
          • Differential and integral calculus: derivatives and indefinite integrals, curve sketching (maximums, minimums, inflection points, etc.), derivative rules, simple differential equations
             
      3. Additional test for candidate without a Bachelor of Arts in Music:

        Musical subjects

        • Instrumental practice
          Mastery of an instrument to a level that allows the candidate to express themselves musically with the instrument.
          Examination content: Performance of two different pieces on an instrument; short piece of sight reading
        • Aural training:
          Reproduce and recognize intervals, tones, chord structures, rhythms, harmonic sequences. The candidates also receive some of the material in writing and have to quickly and spontaneously recognize whether the played piece is the same as the one in front of them or not.

        • General Musical Education:
          Short analysis of two stylistically different pieces
    • Dates

      Information day โ€“ major

      21 November 2024

      Online application โ€“ major

      7 January ยญยญโ€“ 1 March 2025

      Minor selection

      11โ€“31 March 2025

      Aptitude test โ€“ major

      3 May 2025

      Allocation of places โ€“ major and Music-minors

      Mid-May 2025

      Programme start

      September 2025

    • 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 (PDF) and the corresponding fact sheet on Tuition Fees at ZHdK.

    • ZHdK Excellence Scholarship

      Prospective Master's students with an outstanding performance in the entrance examination or even during their Bachelor's degree at ZHdK are nominated on the basis of various criteria and invited to apply for the Excellence Scholarship. An initiative application without nomination by ZHdK is not possible.

    • 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.
          โ†’ 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 โ€˜Complete entryโ€™ 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.