of 9 November 2016, revised May 2020
1. Objective and scope of application
1. These general terms and conditions (GTC-FE) outline the basic regulations for participation in the further education programmes of Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).
2. They apply to all participants in CAS programmes (CAS), DAS programmes (DAS), modules, courses and events as well as to all students in MAS programmes (MAS).
2. Enrolment process
By signing the application (or completing the online application), you confirm that you have read and accepted these GTC. The application is legally binding and is considered on the basis of the date of receipt.
3. Admission
1. The requirements for admission to ZHdK’s further education programmes are as follows:
- University degree
- Experience in the workplace
- Positive outcome of an aptitude test. This may consist in particular of an admission interview, an examination, individual work or performance of a task.
2. Portfolio admission, i.e. without the requirements set out in Clause 3.1 having to be met, is possible in justified cases. In this case, a written application must be submitted in addition to the application portfolio.
3. The relevant Programme Director decides on admission to the further education programme in consultation with the Head of the ZHdK Continuing Education Centre on the basis of the documents submitted and the results of the aptitude test.
4. Admission is confirmed in writing by e-mail after the application deadline for the further education programme.
5. The number of places is limited. Applications are generally considered in chronological order of receipt. However, the Programme Director may also apply other admission criteria, e.g. to ensure balanced group composition in terms of certain skills or professional experience.
4. Delivery
1. If there is an insufficient number of applications at the time of the application deadline, ZHdK reserves the right to cancel or postpone the further education programme.
2. If the further education programme cannot be delivered, applicants will be notified of this shortly after the application deadline. There is no right to delivery of the programme.
3. If the programme is not delivered, the application fee is refunded.
4. Admission to a CAS (or another modular unit) does not automatically mean admission to a programme that includes this CAS, for example a further CAS, DAS or MAS.
5. Payment terms
1. Admission to the further education programme means the full participation or tuition fee is due for payment.
Paragraph 5 remains reserved.
2. In the case of CAS, DAS and MAS programmes, the participation or tuition fee is invoiced per semester. The semester fee must be paid before the semester starts.
3. In the case of modules, the entire amount is invoiced before the course starts. The fee must be paid before the module starts.
4. The individual semester fees of CAS and DAS programmes can be paid in three instalments. The instalment payment option must be ticked/crossed on the application form. The first instalment must be paid before the course starts or before the new semester.
5. It is possible to cancel an application up to the application deadline without incurring any costs. However, the application fee is not refunded. In the event of withdrawal after the application deadline, but before the start of the further education programme, 50% of the participation or tuition fee is charged. Once the further education programme has started, the entire participation or tuition fee is due for payment.
6. Application fees
The application fee for CAS, DAS and MAS programmes is CHF 200.00. This is also due if the application is withdrawn before the application deadline. No application fee is charged for shorter further education programmes.
7. Interruption and withdrawal
1. It is generally not possible to interrupt the further education programme. In the event of withdrawal, the participation or tuition fee is not refunded (see Clause 5.1).
2. It is the responsibility of the participants or students to take out cancellation insurance which covers cancellation costs due to illness and other events.
3. In cases of hardship, such as a long-term illness/an accident supported by a medical certificate, on receipt of a written application, the Head of the ZHdK Continuing Education Centre decides on a refund of the course fees, up to a maximum of 50 per cent.
8. Programme
1. The teaching programme is based on the individual further education programmes.
2. The syllabus is delivered through various sessions and teaching methods, such as lectures, seminars, projects, tutoring, practical exercises, colloquia, mentoring and study trips.
3. The further education programme is completed in modules and includes contact hours and self-study.
9. Credits
1. Participant or student credits are to be achieved within the framework of the requirements specified in the annexes to the individual further education programmes.
2. All participant or student credits are credited according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Credits are awarded for coursework provided that there is a minimum assessment of satisfactory.
3. Credits are only confirmed if the certificate of academic achievement for the module is provided on time and has been favourably assessed.
10. Assessments and credit checks
1. The participant or student credits are assessed on the basis of their work (such as project work, examinations, written exercises).
2. The credit checks can also be carried out in other forms of assessment, provided that they ensure reliable evaluation.
3. If the participants or students already have sufficient prior knowledge in a specific area, this knowledge can be credited and the participants or students can be exempted from the classes. The Head of the ZHdK Continuing Education Centre decides on the basis of a proposal from the Programme Director.
4. Assessment of the credits is based on the individual further education programmes and Section 26 et seq. of the framework course regulations for further education Master's programmes of the Zurich Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts.
5. It is generally possible to repeat credits that were assessed as unsatisfactory once in the following semester, and this may incur additional costs.
6. In justified cases, a final examination may be postponed once. The application for postponement must be made in writing. The newly established deferred date is binding and cannot be changed again.
7. Notification of passing the further education programme is given in writing. This may be staggered, in that a notification of “passed” or “failed” is given first of all. A notification is only legally binding when it is given with an assessment.
8. It is possible to deviate from these provisions in individual cases, provided that this is properly justified. There is no right to this. The Head of Continuing Education decides on the basis of a proposal from the Programme Director.
11. Personal credits
1. The participants or students achieve their credits independently.
2. Any credit not achieved independently, such as borrowings, plagiarism and other reuses of work or credits produced by others, are deemed to be dishonest.
3. Dishonest credits are assessed as failures.
12. Final document (diploma, certificate, confirmation)
1. Participants or students with satisfactory coursework and the required credits receive a diploma or a certificate. The title is determined according to the individual further education programmes.
2. The final document (diploma, certificate, confirmation) is issued in accordance with the appropriate requirements of the further education programme, provided that all certificates of academic achievement have been provided and the compulsory attendance requirement of at least 80 per cent of the contact hours has been met.
3. If the diploma or certificate cannot be awarded due to unsatisfactory credits, a confirmation of the classes attended is issued by ZHdK.
4. In each case, the final document is dated on the last day of the relevant semester.
13. Exclusion
1. The Programme Director can exclude participants or students if they fail the repeated assessments within a module or if they exceed the maximum programme or course duration.
2. Participants or students can also be excluded from the continuing education programme:
- if a dishonest credit according to Clause 11 is provided,
- if there are serious or repeated infringements of the disciplinary code,
- if the fees are not paid.
14. Final provisions
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In addition to the present GTC-FE, the provisions of the General Regulations for Studying at ZHdK apply analogously.
2. In terms of the content, lecturers and fees for the respective further education programmes, the authoritative version is in each case the current call for applications on the website.
3. Swiss law shall apply and the place of jurisdiction is Zurich.
4. These GTC-FE were issued by the University Board on 9 November 2016 and revised on 11 June 2020. The amendments will enter into force on 1 August 2020.
5. These GTC-FE shall also apply as of now to participants or students who have previously been enrolled on further education courses.
On behalf of the University Board
The President
Thomas D. Meier