Registration and admissions process

Thank you for your interest in the Master’s Major in Fine Arts 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 draft Programme Regulations of the Master of Fine Arts at Zurich University of the Arts (StO MA Fine Arts § 4 ff.).

The drafts are not yet legally binding. They are subject to approval by the Board of Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).

  • Application documents

    1. Letter of motivation incl. work project
      Explain your motivation for studying the Master’s Major in Fine Arts at ZHdK and describe your artistic interest. The letter of motivation specifies topics, questions, procedures, fields of work and possible results that you would like to deal with during your studies. 
      Length: please submit a maximum of 2 A4 pages as a PDF.

    2. Portfolio
      The portfolio consists of selected works that reflect your artistic development. The portfolio also includes an artist statement. It must be submitted digitally as a PDF. Links with expiry date (such as WeTransfer) will not be accepted. Videos will only be considered as Vimeo and/or YouTube links. 
      Length: maximum 20 DIN A4 pages, maximum PDF file size is 10 MB, larger files must be uploaded as a ZIP file.

    3. Transcript of Records / Learning Biography
      Please attach a Transcript of Records / Learning Biography with all completed (passed and failed) modules with credits, in case of a drop-out from another university/college. If credit transfer of the acquired credits is desired, this must be additionally noted in the application. The decision as to whether and how many credits will be credited is at the discretion of the Head of Programme.

    4. Matriculation number
      When registering for the first 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 affixed to your University entrance qualification (upper secondary school-leaving certificate – Baccalaureate, Vocational Baccalaureate, Specialised Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).

    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 either your AHV card or your Swiss health insurance card.

    7. Photograph JPG
      Please upload a current passport-quality photograph (at least 320 x 400 pixels). A copy or screenshot of your passport or identity card will not accepted. The photograph must be a frontal shot of your face and should account for two-thirds of the image.

    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. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
      Please submit in tabular form.

    10. 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.

    11. 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 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.

  • Consultations

    In connection with the registration for the Master’s Major in Fine Arts, we offer a 20-minute individual consultation on selected dates (see “Dates”) regarding the portfolio to be submitted, the work project, and the Major-Minor study model. Questions about the content and structure of the Master programme in Fine Arts, as well as administrative issues, will not be addressed during this consultation. 

    To register for a consultation, please send us an e-mail with the following information: Name, address, phone number, preferred date with preferred time of day/time slot (CH time).

  • Admissions procedure

    Application for the admission procedure is made by submitting the application documents, a letter of motivation and a portfolio. The positive assessment of all submitted documents by the Admission Committee is a prerequisite for the invitation to an individual aptitude interview. Following the interview, the Admissions Committee decides on admission to the Master's Major in Fine Arts programme. Applicants will be informed of the decision in writing.

    Aptitude interview

    The aptitude interview is usually conducted in English and takes place by video conference via Zoom. During the interview, in addition to the letter of motivation (incl. work project), the artistic works and topics are discussed on the basis of the submitted portfolio.

  • Dates

    Information days – major

    18 November 2024 (on site, Toni Campus and online)

    Opening of online registration – major admissions process

    18 November 2024

    Consultations (online)

    27 November 2024 (online major-minor consultations)
    28 November 2024 (online portfolio consultations)
    15 January 2025 (online portfolio consultations)
    20 February 2025 (online major-minor consultations)

    Application deadline (incl. portfolio) – major admissions process

    17 February 2025

    Application confirmation – major

    until 24 February 2025

    Rejection or request to pay examination fees – major aptitude test

    from 11 March 2025

    Invitations to aptitude interview (subject to settlement of examination fee)

    from 18 March 2025

    Aptitude interviews – major

    31 March – 4 April 2025

    Admissions decision – major (acceptance / rejection / waiting list)

    7 April 2025

    Minor selection

    By 8 May 2025

    Minor aptitude test (only if specific entry-level competencies required)

    12–16 May 2025

    Minor allocations

    End of May

    Module registrations – major and minor

    11–22 June 2025    

    Course commencement – major and minor

    15 September 2025

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.