Registration and admission process

Thank you for your interest in the Master's programme Composition and Theory, Composition 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 Compostion and Theory at Zurich University of the Arts (StO MA Compostion and Theory § 4 ff.).

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

Language skills

The language of instruction is German or English. Foreign-language applicants must provide proof of competence in the language of instruction, see also “application documents, point 9: language skills”.

    1. Letter of motivation (max. two A4 pages) in German or English: 
      • Personal details: school education, musical education, musical activities, knowledge of music software, leisure activities, etc.
      • Personal statement: Why do I want to study Composition at ZHdK? How do I envision my professional future? 

    2. Dossier with 3 to 4 own works (max. 1.95 GB):

      • Submit works/work excerpts totaling a maximum of approx. 10 minutes in length (scores/texts/images as pdf file, audio as mp3 file, video as mp4 file).
      • Comment on each of these works (concept, meaning, process of creation, etc.). Summarize these comments (max. two A4 pages) in a single pdf file. Name this file “comments.pdf“. 
      • Optional: compile a list of links where more information about your work can be found (personal website, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Vimeo, etc.). Name this file “links.pdf”.
      • Convert all files and folders into a ZIP file and upload the ZIP file in your online registration. If the file exceeds 1.95 GB, the video and audio files must be compressed beforehand (mp4, mp3).

    3. 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, Specialized Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).

    4. Exmatriculation certificate
      Confirmation of ex-matriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue of the certificate is pending, confirmation muss be submitted later.

    5. Social security number
      If you live or work in Switzerland, you will find your Swiss social security number (756...) on your AHV card or on your Swiss health insurance card.

    6. Photograph JPG
      Please upload a recent passport quality photo – no copies/screenshots of the passport page or identity card. The photo must be a frontal shot of the face that is 2/3 of the frame and at least 320 x 400 pixels. 

    7. 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.

    8. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
      Please submit in tabular form.

    9. 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.

    10. 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.

  • Only a few study places are available. If a candidate passes the aptitude test but is not accepted due to a lack of study places, he:she must repeat the examination when re-applying for later admission to the degree programme.

    Duration:

    Preparation time: 60 minutes 
    Duration of the test: 30–160 minutes

    Content:

    • Presentation: Candidates present their work on the basis of the submitted dossier, duration 20 minutes; max. half of this listening to recordings together, the other half explanation.
    • Analysis (60 minutes preparation time) with the aim of verbalizing the musical thinking in the work presented, and simple score playing.
      Duration together: 10 minutes.
    • In the case of lateral entrants, an additional examination may be conducted. Should this be the case, the candidate will be informed together with the written examination invitation:
      • Compositional task (written, duration: 120 minutes)
      • Aural examination (oral, duration: 10 minutes)
    • Interview about the candidate’s career objectives and motivation followed by the examiner’s feedback

    Panel:

    Composition lecturers and representatives from the Department Committee

  • Information day – major

    21 November 2024

    Online application – major

    7 January – 1 March 2025

    Minor selection

    11–31 March 2025

    Aptitude test – major

    28 April 2025

    Allocation of places – major and Music-minors

    Mid-May 2025

    Programme start

    September 2025

  • 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.

  • Prospective Master's students with an outstanding performance in the entrance examination or even during their Bachelor's degree at ZHdK are nominated on the basis of various criteria and invited to apply for the Excellence Scholarship. An initiative application without nomination by ZHdK is not possible.

  • 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

    Importing musical instruments into Switzerland

    Please note the regulations for importing musical instruments into Switzerland. If you intend to import musical instruments into other countries, please consult the corresponding import regulations upon leaving Switzerland.

    • 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.