Student exchange incoming

Photo: Group of international students
International students, autumn semester 2024. Photo: Regula Bearth and Johannes Dietschi © ZHdK

We are the ZHdK Mobility Office. We organize student exchanges and ensure that guests from other art colleges receive all the information they need. After arriving in Switzerland, we provide support with bureaucratic hurdles and everyday problems. We organize information sessions, events, excursions and German courses.

The application deadline for the autumn semester 2025 is closed.

Deadlines for the spring semester 2026:
Nomination period for partner universities: 15 August – 15 September 2025
Application period for students: 15 August – 1 October 2025
Semester dates spring semester 2026: 16 February 2026 – 14 June 2026

Overview academic year:
—  Autumn semester: Start approx. week 38 / end approx. week 3
—  Spring semester: Start approx. week 8 / end approx. week 23
→ More detailed information on the semester dates

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application approximately six weeks after the application deadline.

Application

  • Nominations and applications for an exchange or study transfer semester are only accepted via Mobility Online. Applications submitted by other means will not be considered.  

    Procedure

    • The partner school nominates you as a student via Mobility Online.
    • The nominated person receives a confirmation e-mail asking them to register with Mobility Online and complete their application.
    • The complete application is checked by the ZHdK Mobility Office and the study specialisation and the next steps are communicated. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

    If the corresponding institution (college/university) cannot be found in the nomination form or general questions about the application process come up, please contact the Mobility Office

    Links to the online nomination

    Deadlines for the spring semester 2026:
    Nomination period for partner universities: 15 August – 15 September 2025
    Application period for students: 15 August – 1 October 2025
    Semester dates spring semester 2026: 16 February 2026 – 14 June 2026

    Exchange with Partner Institutions (Erasmus / SEMP Agreement in place)
    List Partnerinstitutions
    Online nomination for an exchange semester at the ZHdK via the Swiss-European Mobility Program (SEMP, equivalent to Erasmus):
    → SEMP Incoming German
    → SEMP Incoming English

    Online nomination for an exchange semester at ZHdK with a bilateral agreement (worldwide):
    → Worldwide Incoming German
    → Worldwide Incoming English

    Study as Guest / Free Mover (no agreement in place, no SEMP funding possible):
    → Guest Incoming German
    → Guest Incoming English

    Costs

    — Exchange students remain enrolled at their home school and pay the ZHdK ID card fee, ASVZ contributions (Academic Sports Association Zurich) and any material costs.
    — Guest students pay tuition fees, student ID, ASVZ, Verso contributions and any material costs.
    — An exchange is possible if there is a valid exchange agreement between the ZHdK and the partner university.
    → More information on tuition fees

  • The documents required for an application vary depending on the desired specialization. You can find detailed information on the individual departments here:

    Department of Cultural Analysis
    Department of Design
    Department of Fine Arts
    Department of Music
    Department of Performing Arts and Film

  • Switzerland is not an Erasmus+ programme country. The Swiss European Mobility Programme (SEMP) is available for universities in Switzerland.

    • Exchange students are exempt from all tuition fees at ZHdK
    • Students from EU and EFTA countries whose home university is a partner university of ZHdK receive a mobility grant for the duration of their stay. In general, five months of SEMP scholarships are paid out per semester per exchangee. The mobility grant of CHF 380 or CHF 440 per month (depending on the country of origin) is not a full scholarship; it serves to cover the increased cost of living in the host country and is paid directly to the incoming students in two instalments.
    • An exchange stay generally lasts one full semester, max. twelve months including language stay
    • Additional contributions can be requested for people with special needs who are completing an exchange semester sponsored by SEMP.

  • Prerequisites for an exchange or study transfer semester

    • Admission
      Admission for an exchange or study transfer semester only ever applies to the following semester. In no way does this entitle a student to automatic admission to ZHdK.
       
    • German language competence
      Classes are usually held in German. For a successful exchange a sound knowledge of the German language is strongly recommended (at least Level B2).
      In some specializations an exchange is also possible with little knowledge of German, in these cases good English skills are a prerequisite. Expected is a level of at least B2 / Cambridge First Certificate in English / TOEFL IBT 70 points / IELTS 5.5 points.
      We recommend submitting a language certificate with the application in order to prove the language skills. (Goethe Institute, DSH, Cambridge, TOEFL, IELTS, etc.). Otherwise, the Mobility Office reserves the right to check language skills during a telephone conversation.
      A prerequisite for the following specializations is a very high level of competence in written and spoken German (at least level B2): Department of Performing Arts and Film – Acting and Stage Design specializations. Department of Cultural Analysis, Master Art Education.
      In the Music Department students with little knowledge of German or English may be admitted after consultation with the head of the responsible specialization.
      The Zurich University of the Arts offers German language courses for foreign-language students. For exchange students the courses are free of charge.
       
    • Insurance
      For information regarding health and accident insurance, personal liability and household insurance please refer to the website of the Student Advice Service (see point 2). 
       
    • Visa
      For information regarding visa please refer to the website of the Student Advice Service (see point 4). 

      Future foreign students from countries exempt from visa requirements are required to register with their local registration office within fourteen days of arrival in Switzerland.
       
    • Living in Zurich
      The supply of rental accommodation in Zurich is limited. We strongly recommend that you start looking for suitable rental accommodation as early as possible. Useful information can be found on the Student advice/accommodation page. The Mobility Office provides information on current accommodation options by email.

  • Arrival

    By train or tram
    ZHdK is located in the Toni-Areal campus, at Pfingstweidstrasse 96, Zürcher Kreis 5. The Toni-Areal tram stop on Line 4 is located directly in front of ZHdK.  Tram 4 operates between Tiefenbrunnen train station, Zurich central station and Altstetten train station. The Toni-Areal campus is ten minutes’ walk from the Hardbrücke station. The Mobility Office is located in Room 5.C01 together with the University Office.

    The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree programme is located at Gessnerallee 11 in the middle of the central city.

    More information on its location, how to get there and barrier-free orientation.


    By plane
    Zurich Kloten Airport is ten minutes from the centre of the city by train. The train station is on the lower ground level of the airport. Five to ten trains travel directly to Zurich central station each hour. Travelling by taxi is very expensive in Switzerland.


    By car
    We would advise against travelling to ZHdK by car. Zurich is well known for having very few parking spaces. It is extremely complicated and expensive to park a car in the city.

    Many Zurich residents commute by bicycle: distances between destinations are short, and bicycles can sometimes be hired or purchased second-hand.  

     

    Formalities after arriving in Zurich

    After a voluntary eight-day intensive German language tuition at ZHdK, students experience the Welcome Days, which take place shortly before the start of the semester. All international students, including exchange and visiting students, are invited to the Welcome Days. There is an expectation that students arrive in good time and participate in all activities. All required formalities are completed over this period prior to commencement of the exchange or study transfer semester. Exchange and study transfer students who are coming to ZHdK for the first time can be assigned a buddy if they wish.The Mobility Office organizes events and excursions for all international students over the course of the semester.


    Registration at the immigration office
    All students are obliged to register with the relevant registration office within eight days of arriving in Switzerland, and apply for a short-stay residence permit. 


    Erasmus Student Network
    The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) organizes various events and is a platform for all exchange and study transfer students of Zurich universities. ZHdK is a member of the ESN. Online registration is recommended.
    Further information on the activities of ESN can be found on its website.  


    Lectures
    All students will be informed of the lecture timetable for their specialization prior the start of the semester or on arrival at ZHdK. Further information in regard to lectures can be found in the university calendar.

  • When is the deadline for submitting an application to ZHdK?
    1 April for the following autumn semester.
    1 October for the following autumn semester.
    1 April for the following autumn semester or academic year (only in the case of Music).

    Can I bring my portfolio to the faculty in person?
    No, portfolios can only be left with the Mobility Office in person.

    Are there auditions?
    The evaluation of exchange and study transfer students is based on the submitted documentation, with the exception of Acting students. In this case, applicants will be invited to an audition.

    Is it possible to receive confirmation for a stay which will occur one year from now?
    No, confirmations are communicated approximately one month after applications have closed.

    Will you return the portfolio to me if I am not successful in my application?
    Yes, provided the portfolio is no larger than A4 size.

    Will I need a visa in order to study in Switzerland?
    Students from Europe often do not require a visa. Students should make enquiries with a Swiss embassy in their place of residence as to whether a visa is required in their case. Please note: Applying for a visa takes time!

    Can I apply for multiple specializations at the same time?
    No, an application must specify a single specialization. In the event of a rejection, it is possible to apply for another specialization.

    Can I structure my own modules at ZHdK?
    All modules are generally prescribed by the specialization.

    How many exchange students are accepted for each specialization? 
    This varies depending on the specialization.

    Can apply for a specialization at ZHdK that differs from my existing specialization? 
    Yes, however the submitted portfolio must relate to the specialization that is being applied for. In addition to this, an exchange agreement must be in place between the department (in respect to the specialization in question) and the applicant’s university.

    Can I undertake part-time work while studying in Switzerland?
    Yes, exchange students can work up to a maximum of 15 hours per week. Further information in regard to working in Switzerland.

    What happens if I can’t find somewhere to live?
    Students are responsible for their own accommodation over the course of their exchange semester. The Mobility Office provides support to students seeking accommodation by supplying addresses and possible accommodation options.

    • Students’ associations

      • ACSSZ – Association of Chinese Students and Scholars Zurich
      • AFrEZ – L’Association Francophone des Étudiants de Zürich
      • EFSZ – Hellenic Student Organization Zurich
      • LSZ – Luxemburger Students
      • Nordiska – Nordiska Roddföreningen

Contact

Iris Meili

Student Exchange Coordinator Incoming
Phone: +41 43 446 20 78
Working days: Monday – Thursday

Opening hours Info Desk (Room 5.C01):
Tuesday–Wednesday, 1 pm – 5pm

 

Image: Portrait of Iris Meili