Application and admission process PreCollege Music – Sound Engineering

Thank you for your interest in the PreCollege Sound Engineer of the Zurich University of the Arts. We look forward to receiving your registration by 1. March 2025.

The aptitude test for admission to the PreCollege Music of the ZHdK examines the prerequisites, the level of musical training and the 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, 11:00 - 12:00, Toni Areal, Konzertsaal 1, Ebene 7

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
    • A current medical audiogram
    • Video recordings

  • Round 1

    This part of the entrance examination takes place on the basis of submitted video recordings.

    Classical specialisation: You prepare instrumental or vocal works of your choice. Duration: 12 minutes. Memorised performance is highly desirable.

    Jazz/pop specialisation: You prepare pop or jazz pieces of your choice. Duration: 12 minutes. The lead sheets (jazz) must be enclosed with the application. Memorised performances are highly desirable.

    The expert committee will judge the video recordings and dossiers and decide who will progress to the second round.

    Round 2:

    In a 15-minute Zoom meeting, the level of knowledge in music theory, their knowledge of sheet music and general musical and technical judgement will be tested.

  • The recordings of the artistic, i.e. instrumental or vocal, presentation must be uploaded in the ONLA application as YouTube links in the ‘Video link’ text fields. Unlisted, non-publicly visible videos can be uploaded to YouTube and shared via a link.

    Requirements:

    1. Only uncut and unedited audio recordings will be considered by the expert commission. The audio track may be combined with the video track at a later date.
    2. The performer, head, body and hands (instrumental) must be clearly recognisable on the recordings.
    3. All recordings must be labelled with surname, first name, chosen profile, instrument, composer and precise work details or song title.
    4. On one of the recordings, describe in 1-2 minutes what you know about the works you have played, what they mean to you personally and what relationship you have to these works.
    5. The recordings must have been made between December 2024 and February 2025. By submitting the application, the interested party guarantees that all recordings were made during this period.

  • Information events

    • Thursday, 21 November 2024, 14:00 - 15:30, Toni Areal, Hörsaal 1, Level 3
    • Saturday, 18 January 2025, 10:00 - 11:30, Toni Areal, Konzerthalle 1, Level 7

    Opening of the online registration for the PreCollege admission procedure

    7 January 2025

    Closing date for online registration for the PreCollege admission procedure

    1 March 2025

    Entrance examinations

    Round 1: Takes place via video recording

    Zoom interviews 2nd round: 24 March 2025 (dates subject to change)

    Start of studies

    23 August 2025

  • 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 of the ZHdK is a part-time programme. Third-country nationals unfortnunately can't participate in the PreCollee Music of the ZHdK due to vica regulations.

    Entry checklists:https://www.zhdk.ch/en/aboutus/university-office/studentadviceservice