Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) has evolved from a number of Zurich institutions steeped in a long tradition: 2007 saw the amalgamation of two existing Zurich institutions, the Zurich University of Music and Theatre (HMT) and Zurich Canton University of Design and Art (HGKZ), to form Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), with its five departments. These institutions and their various disciplines and departments have a proud history dating back to the late nineteenth century. ZHdK is a state university with its own legal personality. Until the end of 2022 it was part of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZFH, since January 2023 it has been institutionally accredited.
The Arts and Crafts Museum of Zurich, now the Museum for Design, was established in 1875, followed in 1878 by the establishment of the Arts and Crafts School of Zurich City. This institution later became the Zurich School of Design (Schule für Gestaltung Zürich), then the Zurich Advanced School for Design (Höhere Schule für Gestaltung Zürich), and finally, in 2000, the Zurich Canton University of Design and Art (kantonale Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst Zürich, HGKZ).
Zurich University of Music and Theatre (HMT) originated in 1999 through the amalgamation of the Conservatoria of Winterthur and Zurich, established as institutions of higher musical training in 1873 and 1875, respectively. At the time of the amalgamation, HMT also included the Zurich Jazz School (established in 1977), the Swiss Computer Music Studio (founded 1985), the Theatre Studio (established in 1937), and the subsequent Zurich Drama Academy (Schauspiel Akademie Zürich) and the Swiss Ballet School (Schweizerische Ballettberufsschule) (established in1986).