Registration and admission process

MA Specialized Music Performance, Orchestra

Thank you for your interest in the Master’s programme Specialized Music Performance, Orchestra at Zurich University of the Arts.

If interested in a Master’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.

→ Detailed information on the Major-Minor programme structure at ZHdK
→ Detailed information on Minor Selection

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 requirements, including the language skills required for admission to the chosen major, please refer to the Programme Regulations of the Master of Arts in Specialized Music Performance at Zurich University of the Arts (StO MA Specialized Music Performance § 4 ff.).

In exceptional cases, ZHdK may admit individuals without a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized and accredited university. → Further information (PDF).

  • Application documents

    1. Application videos for preliminary selection
      Link to playlist with recordings (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) containing the following content:
      • Woodwind/brass/strings: 
        3 sets or parts of works from different eras with or without accompaniment (usually piano). Total duration 12 to 15 minutes maximum.
      • Percussion:
        Recording of at least 15 minutes with orchestral passages or études from the list MSP Orchestra: one orchestral passage each for snare drum, glockenspiel, xylophone, tambourine and timpani. In addition, one étude each for xylophone, snare drum and timpani and one work for marimba.
      • Timpani:
        Recording of at least 15 minutes with orchestral passages and études from the MSP timpani list: at least 2 orchestral passages for timpani, one orchestral passage for baroque timpani and one timpani étude. In addition, one étude each for xylophone, snare drum and tambourine and one work for marimba. 

        → Link to the file on technical requirements (PDF)
         
    2. Letter of motivation (typewritten, in German or English) with a personal statement:
      • Why do you wish to study music at Zurich University of Arts (ZHdK)? Please give reasons for choosing this major’s programme.
      • What are your career plans?
         
    3. Curriculum vitae in tabular form
      Full curriculum vitae containing your personal details as follows (please indicate dates with all information):
      • School education
      • Education: chronological with Diploma title (BA, MA or equivalent)
      • Other studies, professional activities, work experience
      • → CV template (Word document for download)
         
    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. 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.

    10. 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

    There is a two-stage process:
    After a preliminary selection (application videos and portfolio), the examination board (main subject lecturers and major programme directors or their representatives) decides on a selection of candidates who will be invited to Zurich for the aptitude test.

    The MA in Specialized Music Performance with specialization in orchestra is carried out in cooperation with the Zurich Opera House AG and the Philharmonia Zurich, with the exception of core subject Timpani.

    The placement at the Philharmonia Zurich is part of the training. The number of places is limited.

    A curriculum vitae in tabular form – with all previous orchestral experience – must be submitted with the application.

    The examination takes place in two events. Both examinations must be passed for admission to the Specialized Master Orchestra.

    1. Entrance Examination ZHdK
      Candidates present the complete programme with solo works and orchestral excerpts (list and download of sheet music).
      The commission listens to a selection.
      In a short interview, the candidates convey their study and career goals.

      Duration: 20 minutes
       
    2. Placement Audition Philharmonia Zurich
      The candidates again prepare the complete programme.
      The commission listens to a selection.
      The auditions take place in the rehearsal room of the Philharmonia Zurich.

      Duration: 15 minutes

      Examination board for placement auditions
      Principal player of the relevant register of the Philharmonia Zurich, orchestra director of the Zurich Opera House AG, head of Interpretation & Performance ZHdK (chair).

  • Dates

    Information day – major 

    20 November 2025

    Online application – major 

    6 January – 1 March 2026

    Minor selection

    10–30 March 2026

    Admissions examination – major

    Audition dates:

    –     Bassoon: 30 April 2026
    –     Cello: 30 April, 1 May 2026
    –     Clarinet:  1 May 2026
    –     Double Bass: 30 April 2026
    –     Flute: 1 May 2026
    –     Harp: 28 April 2026
    –     Horn: 28 April 2026
    –     Oboe: 30 April 2026
    –     Percussion, Timpani, Marimbaphone: 27/28 April 2026
    –     Recorder: 24 April 2026
    –     Trombone: 28 April 2026
    –     Trumpet: 27 April 2026
    –     Tuba: 27 April 2026
    –     Viola: 28/29 April 2026
    –     Violin: 27/28 April 2026

    Examination Philharmonia Zurich

    • Tuesday, 28 April: Percussion, Trumpet, Tuba
    • Thursday, 30 April: Harp, Horn, Trombone, Violin, Viola, 
    • Saturday, 2 May, 14:00–17:30 h: Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe

      Exam location: Kreuzplatz (Kreuzstrasse 76, 8032 Zürich)

    The exact time will be announced the evening before the audition. 

    Admissions examination – Music minors (where provided)

    20 April – 4 May 2026

    Allocation of places – majors and Music minors

    Mid-May 2026

    Course commencement

    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 (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.
        → 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 MA Specialized Music Performance, Orchestra