Doctoral studies / PhD at ZHdK – Overview and FAQs

Just like all other Swiss universities of the arts, Zurich University of the Arts does not currently have the right to award doctorates. In order to give its graduates and international students the chance to complete a doctorate or PhD, ZHdK agreed to run doctoral and PhD cooperation programmes in partnership with international universities of the arts several years ago. The programmes are geared either towards art, research or art research doctoral studies or PhDs. Other cooperation programmes will be available in future, particularly in disciplines for which ZHdK does not yet run corresponding programmes.

  • Which formal requirements apply to anyone wishing to complete a doctorate or PhD?

    Candidates must fulfil the following requirements:

    1. They must have completed a four-semester Master's degree (120 ECTS points) in one of the related disciplines. If they have only completed three semesters (90 ECTS points), they can gain the remaining 30 ECTS points as part of the cooperation programme to achieve the equivalent of a four-semester Master's.
    2. They must have been awarded a minimum grade of "Good" or "B" in their Master's degree.
    3. In the event of art-based doctoral studies, candidates are also usually required to have completed several years of artistic practice and to provide a portfolio showcasing some of their artistic works.

  • Where are the programmes run?

    The programmes are primarily run at ZHdK and to a lesser extent at the partner universities.

  • How many of the lectures and classes are obligatory? And where can/must these be attended?

    The number of obligatory lectures and classes varies depending on the programme, as does how many of these are held at ZHdK and how many at the partner universities. The relevant contacts can provide more information.

  • Who awards the degree?

    The degree is awarded by the partner university which has the right to award doctorates.

  • Can I have a ZHdK professor as my supervisor?

    Yes. At least one professor on each cooperation programme has the full right to award a doctorate, i.e. he or she can be your first or second supervisor. The other professors can usually act as your second mentor if they have the necessary mentor qualifications.

  • Does ZHdK award PhD/doctoral bursaries?

    ZHdK does not award any bursaries.

  • What other funding opportunities are there for people looking to undertake doctoral studies?

    The following funding opportunities are available:

    • Individual doctorate or PhD funding as part of the Swiss National Science Foundation's (SNF) "Personenförderung" (individual funding) scheme.
      For information on the requirements, amount, period, etc. of the so-called doc.ch programme, visit: SNF_doc.ch.
    • Individual doctoral or PhD funding as part of the Swiss National Science Foundation's (SNF) "Projektförderung" (project funding) scheme
      For information on the requirements, amount, period, etc. of the project funding, visit: SNF_projects.
    • Doctoral or PhD funding as part of a wider Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) project.
      For information on the requirements, amount, period, etc. of the project funding, visit: SNF_projects.
    • Doctoral studies (not funded) as part of a job as a teaching assistant at ZHdK. A job as a teaching assistant of up to 50% part-time allows you to work on your doctoral studies for the remaining (unpaid) 50%.
      Job adverts for teaching assistant positions at ZHdK are posted here.
    • Doctoral studies (not funded) as part of a job as a research assistant at ZHdK. A job as a research assistant, usually at one of the ZHdK research institutes, of up to 50% part-time allows you to work on your doctoral studies for the remaining (unpaid) 50%.
      Job adverts for teaching research positions at ZHdK are posted here.
    • Funding from foundations: Foundations do not usually fund doctoral studies.
      However, it is always worth asking if/when the conditions will change.
    • Self-funding.
      Our experience shows that you do not need to spend more than 50% of your working hours on your doctoral studies in order to successfully complete them over a suitable, internationally conventional period of time (four to five years).

For further information on the application process, the place of study as well as mandatory courses please contact Prof. Giaco Schiesser, Head of Research (Dossier)