Application and admission process PreCollege Music – Music and Movement

Thank you for your interest in the PreCollege Music and Movement of Zurich University of the Arts. We look forward to receiving your registrations by 1 March 2026.

The aptitude test for admission to the PreCollege Music ZHdK examines the applicant’s aptitude, level of musical training and motivation with regard to the skills to be acquired for a later music degree.

Applicants for a Bachelor’s degree who are interested in a PreCollege place must apply for both courses.

The next information events for the PreCollege Music of the ZHdK will take place:

  • Thursday, 20.11.2025, 14:00 - 15:30, Toni-Areal, Hörsaal 1, Ebene 3
  • Saturday, 17.01.2026, 12:30 – 13:30, Toni-Areal, Kaskadenhalle (on occasion of the PreCollege Open Day)

We are looking forward to welcoming young musicians, their parents and music teachers!

  • Information regarding the online application

    Please consider:

    • 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 (*).
    • When you have entered all the necessary details, press “Complete entry” to submit your application. Upon receipt, your details will be checked by our office. You will not be able to change any details once submitted. If you do not receive a confirmation by us within seven working days, please check your spam folder.
    • The application deadline 1 March has to be respected. Applications that are not submitted on time can not be considered.
    • If there are any difficulties, please contact us by e-mail: precollege.musik@zhdk.ch

  • Login with ZHdK or SWITch edu-ID

    If you have a ZHdK login, you may apply with your ZHdK login.
    If you have no ZHdK login, you will need a SWITCH edu-ID.

    → How to create and use a SWITCH edu-ID (in German)

    If there are any difficulties, please contact us by e-mail: precollege.musik@zhdk.ch

  • Application documents to be submitted

    Only complete dossiers will be assessed.

    • With the exception of the personal photo, all documents must be uploaded in PDF format (portrait format).

    National insurance number

    If you live or work in Switzerland, you will find the Swiss national insurance number (756...) on your AHV card or on your Swiss health insurance card.

    Personal photo

    Upload a current portrait photo in passport photo quality as a JPG (at least 320 x 400 pixels). The photo must be high-contrast and your face must be clearly visible. The photo must not show any other people or objects.

    Copy of ID or passport

    We need a scan of your passport or ID.

    School leaving certificates

    Please upload your school-leaving certificates or, if applicable, a current confirmation from your secondary school.

    Curriculum vitae

    Please submit in tabular form.

    Further documents

    • Report from the current main subject teacher on musical development over the past year.
    • Song list/repertoire list for the last 12 months
    • Sheet music of the examination programme in PDF format

  • Admission examinations

    You prepare two songs and one piano piece or one song and one piano piece and one instrumental piece totalling approx. 10 minutes. Any accompaniment must be organized by the candidate.

    You will also present a short dance or movement performance. This will be followed by a discussion about your motivation.

  • Dates

    Information events

    • Thursday, 20 November 2025, 14:00 - 15:00, Toni-Areal, Hörsaal 1, Level 3
    • Saturday, 17 January 2026, 12:30 - 13:30, Toni-Areal, Kaskadenhalle, Level 5

    Opening of the online registration for the PreCollege admission procedure

    6 January 2026

    Closing date for online registration for the PreCollege admission procedure

    1 March 2026

    Entrance examinations

    16 April 2026

    Start of studies

    22 August 2026

  • 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. Click here for an overview of ID and visa regulations by nationality.

    On contrary to Bachelor or Master programmes the PreCollege Music ZHdK is a part-time programme. Third-country nationals unfortunately can’t participate in the PreCollege Music ZHdK due to visa regulations.
    → Entry checklists

    German courses

    PreCollege ZHdK offers compulsory German courses for students whose mother tongue or language of education is not German. The reason for this is that all modules within the PreCollege programme are conducted in German. In addition, a German language level of at least B2 is mandatory for admission to a bachelor's degree programme at music universities in German-speaking countries.

→ Online registration PreCollege Music