ZHdK’s Major-Minor Structure

The Major-Minor programme model allows ZHdK students to tailor their studies individually. The major forms the main focus of study, which is thematically complemented or deepened by minors. Additionally, modules from the Individual Area of Study (ISB) can be chosen. This diverse offering is designed to meet the need for developing specific profiles for the job market of tomorrow.

    Major

    The Major forms the core subject area of a Bachelor's or Master's degree and determines the title of the awarded degree. This means it comprises 150 out of a total of 180 credits in the Bachelor's programme and 90 out of a total of 120 credits in the Master's programme. The Major study program establishes the affiliation with a specific department.

    All majors

      Minor

      The minor is a smaller programme compared to the major. It focuses clearly on a professional qualification and also appears on the degree certificate. Minors comprise 15 or 30 credits. 
      Together with the major, the minor serves two main purposes:

      • Deepening and Specialization
        Students can specialize within their subject area by studying one of its sub-areas in depth. 
      • Expansion and Supplementation
        Students can acquire knowledge, skills and competences in another field or a specific subject area.
      All minors

        Individual Area of Study

        In some degree programmes, students can choose an Individual Area of Study (ISB) instead of a minor. Courses taken as part of an ISB are cross-disciplinary and subject to special admissions requirements. The number of places is limited.

        Further information

            Registration

            If interested in a Bachelor's degree applicants first hand in their application for a Major programme, considering the respective admission requirements. In the first year of study, the focus is on the major; the individual minors are chosen later and can be taken starting from the second year of study.

            The major and minor programmes begin at the same time in the first semester. Master’s students must first apply for a major. They select a minor after they have completed the admissions process (or in exceptional cases, during the admissions process).

            → Information on registering for a major
            → Information on selecting a minor

              Student Advice

              The ZHdK Advisory Network helps students to understand the programme structure and supports them before or during their studies. The advisory team also shows students how to find their way around the Major-Minor structure and which offerings they can combine.