Registration and admissions process

Thank you for your interest in the Bachelor's programme in Scenography 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. 

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

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 terms (including the language skills) required for admission to the chosen major, please refer to the Programme Regulations of the Bachelor of Arts in Theater at Zurich University of the Arts (StO BA Theatre ยง 4 ff.). 

Eligibility

The Bachelorโ€™s programme in Scenography is aimed at young adults with strong design skills and an interest in spatial design processes in the ๏ฌelds of theatre, dance and performance or in creating temporary installations โ€“ from developing the initial idea through to physical implementation.

Other requirements include good observational and re๏ฌ‚ection skills, an interest in new forms and formats that goes beyond the theatrical world, communication skills and the desire to work and share ideas with students from other subject areas.

Initial experience in the ๏ฌelds of design or crafts or the attendance of a preparatory or foundation course in design are required.

    1. Letter of motivation: Please answer the following two questions in writing (maximum 1 A4 page typewritten per question):
      • What fascinates you about theatre and what has been an interesting theatre experience for you in recent years?
      • Describe the effect of the stage space on you and the means used in this experience.

    2. Application with portfolio
      In order to give the admissions committee an impression of the artistic talent, a digital version or digital documentation of a portfolio with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 self-designed works must be submitted by email or ๏ฌle transfer in addition to the online registration.
      Documentation of drawings, sketches and collages, sculptures, models or photographs, visualizations on the computer, also painted works and other documentation of artistic engagement with the reality surrounding us are welcome. The works should show a special interest in scenic/spatial perception and its representation. Graduates of a pre-course/Propรคdeutikum must also submit their own independent works (there may be a maximum of 5 works from the pre-course).
      Please send us your portfolio exclusively in digital form (ideally as a PDF) by 20 March 2025 by email or file transfer to administration office.
      If you have any questions or wish to extend the deadline, please contact Liliane Preissle by email (Subject: Arbeitsmappe BTH Szenischer Raum).

    3. 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, Specialized Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).

    4. Exmatriculation certificate
      Confirmation of exmatriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue is pending, confirmation must be submitted later.

    5. 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.

    6. 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.

    7. 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.

    8. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
      Please submit in tabular form, no prose texts.

    9. 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.

    10. Further documents
      Please submit the corresponding transcripts, diplomas and certi๏ฌcates to provide evidence of your:

      • Educational quali๏ฌcations
      • 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 ๏ฌles, you may do so one after the other.

    The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is permitted and must be stated when submitting the registration.

  • The admission procedure is divided into a written application with portfolio and letter of motivation, a homework assignment and an entrance examination.
    On the basis of the documents and papers submitted, the admission committee decides on admission to the entrance examination. The decision is communicated in writing approximately two weeks after the application deadline.

    Homework assignment

    Applicants who are admitted to the entrance examination will receive a homework assignment together with the corresponding invitation. The homework must be completed in the remaining time until the entrance examination and must be brought along on the day of the examination.

    Entrance examination

    At the entrance examination, the homework will be presented and a task is implemented on site in a creative way in the following individual interview. The examination decisions are communicated orally and/or in writing.

    Important information on studying

    Because the ability to deal with the intensive training is difficult to test in the entrance examination, we conduct the first semester as a trial semester.

  • Application opens

    November 2024

    Application deadline for the entrance examination

    20 March 2025

    Application confirmation

    until 3 April 2025

    Entrance examination

    6โ€“8 May 2025

    Definitive admissions decisions

    8 May 2025

    Course commencement

    September 2025

  • The registration fee for the admission procedure is CHF 100. The application is valid once the registration fee has been paid. Payment must be made online using a credit card. 
    The registration fee applies to one application for one degree programme. Applicants who are invited to the admissions examination after successfully completing the preliminary test must pay an additional examination fee of CHF 200. Examination fees are to be paid at Swiss Post (around five minutes from the university) either before the admissions examination or after a successful preliminary test. The stamped receipt of payment must be brought along to the admissions examination and serves as confirmation. You will not be permitted to complete the examination without this receipt.

    Request for financial support with the examination fee

    The registration fee of CHF 100 and the examination fee of CHF 200 must be paid via online registration. Applicants who can prove that their own resources and those of their dependants or other persons liable to pay maintenance are insufficient may submit an application for financial support (the form is available at the top of this page). If the application is approved, the examination fee of CHF 200 will be refunded. The application must be submitted by the submission deadline. Subsequently submitted or incomplete applications will not be considered. Unfortunately, the registration fee of CHF 100 cannot be refunded.

  • 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