Registration and admission process Bachelor

Thank you for your interest in the Bachelor's programme in Composition for Film, Theatre and Media at Zurich University of the Arts.

Bachelor students must first register for a major. They begin their degree programme with the selected major and choose a minor during their first year of study. They begin studying the selected minor in their second year of study. 

โ†’ Detailed information on the Major-Minor programme structure

Admissions requirements

For admissions and matriculation requirements, please refer to the Regulatory Framework for Bachelorโ€™s and Masterโ€™s Programmes at Zurich University of the Arts (RO ยง 19โ€“24).

For additional terms (including the language skills) required for admission to the chosen major, please refer to the Programme Regulations of the Bachelor of Arts in Music at Zurich University of the Arts (StO BA Music ยง 4 ff.). 

Language skills

The language of instruction is German. Foreign-language applicants must provide proof of competence in the language of instruction, see also โ€œapplication documents, point 9: language skillsโ€.

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

    2. Dossier ยซCompositionยป (with list of works enclosed), max. 1,95 GB:  
      Put 3โ€“5 documented pieces of music or excerpts of music (total 10 min. length) in a โ€œbest-ofโ€ folder, together with the musical concept and description of work. The dossier must contain only compositions of your own, at least half of the compositions should be from โ€œmusic+โ€ subjects: โ€œfunctional compositionsโ€ for film, theatre and media. 

      Optional: short video portait (max 5 Min.) showing how you work in your studio, in a project, in a performance 

      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. Copyright notice

    4. Video artistic-musical performanc
      (Interpretation/improvisation, max. 15 minutes / 1.95 GB / format .mov or .mp4)

      Presentation of your skills as an instrumentalist, vocalist, conductor, media artist etc. by performing three different pieces (different character, eras/decades etc.). Choose one of the following options:
      • Play on the instrument on which you have achieved the highest standard and would like to receive tuition at the university.
      • Play on different instruments: One or two pieces on your main instrument and one or two on your secondary instrument(s).

        Technical requirements
        • Video recordings must be taken from a ๏ฌxed camera perspective โ€“ hands and face must be visible
        • Recordings may be made on a mobile phone, camera or laptop
        • Use of a stereo microphone is desirable
        • The quality and format of the recordings must meet the following criteria: HD video (720p; 1080i; 1080p) with 265 kbit/s sound resolution, mov or .mp4 
        • All performances must be recorded in full and without cuts
           

    5. Optional: Additional works according to the list of works (max. 1.95 GB)

    6. Matriculation number
      When registering for the ๏ฌrst 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 af๏ฌxed to your University entrance qualification (upper secondary school-leaving certificate โ€“ Baccalaureate, Vocational Baccalaureate, Specialized Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).

    7. Exmatriculation certificate
      Confirmation of exmatriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue of the certificate is pending, confirmation must be submitted later.

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

    9. Photograph JPG
      Please upload a recent passport quality photo โ€“ 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. 

    10. 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.

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

    12. Language skills
      The language skills required are listed for each degree programme in the programme regulations. Language skills can be demonstrated as follows:
      โ€“    Native speaker (does not have to be proven)
      โ€“    Required language as a subject in the educational certificate, passed or at least grade 4 (submit the upper secondary education transcript as a PDF)
      โ€“    Recognized certificate (according to the list โ€œRecognized Certificates for Language Requirementsโ€)
      โ€“    University degree (Bachelorโ€™s/Masterโ€™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.

    13. Further documents
      Please submit the corresponding transcripts, diplomas and certi๏ฌcates to provide evidence of your:

      • Educational quali๏ฌcations
      • Professional activities (relevant to your degree programme/chosen specialization)
      • Internships (relevant to your degree programme/chosen specialization)

    Documents must be uploaded in PDF (portrait) format. If you wish to upload several individual PDF ๏ฌles, you may do so one after the other.

    The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is permitted and must be stated when submitting the registration.

    Important: After the evaluation of the application documents and the homework assignment (see โ€œAptitude testโ€), the jury decides on the admission to the aptitude test.

  • 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.

    Candidates who do not receive a study place following the aptitude test will not automatically be accepted into PreCollege Music. If you are interested in the PreCollege, we recommend that you also register for PreCollege Music in full by 1 March.
     

    1. Submitting an assignment
      The candidate will be given an assignment (to be downloaded from the server), which involves setting a short ๏ฌlm to music. This must be submitted by the speci๏ฌed deadline (see โ€œDatesโ€) by uploading onto the server.

      After the evaluation of the homework assignment and the documents submitted with the application, the jury decides on the admission to these further examinations:

    2. Media technology skills
      Present your media technology skills on your own laptop and keyboard. Duration 20 minutes Please prepare and present one project for each topic (you are allowed to use projects from the dossier you have submitted):

      • Instrumentation, orchestration and arrangement for acoustic (and electro-acoustic) instruments (old school): your own music notation project (using Sibelius, Finale etc.) with completed score and audio mockup
      • Producing/sound design/audio design (new school): own DAW project (Logic, DP, Protools, etc.) with MIDI, audio (and possibly video)

    3. Spontaneous performance
      90 minutes preparation / 20 minutes presentation
      The test consists of spontaneously setting images, text or ๏ฌlm clips to music, using the options provided.
      The assessment criteria are: musicality, creativity, artistic intelligence.

    4. Oral theory, ๏ฌlm music analysis and transcription
      Duration: 30 minutes
      Preparation: 60 minutes (analysis and transcription)

      A. Prepared analysis and transcription of a ๏ฌlm clip

      B. Theoretical ability
      • 10 minute-presentation of the results of your analysis, focusing on the music and your approach to the ๏ฌlm (stylistic, dramaturgical description etc.)
      • Transcription: write music for a short, central section of a ๏ฌlm, taking account of melody, harmony, rhythm and tone quality
      • Resources: piano/keyboard. The assessment criteria are: analytical skills, ability to listen and perform
      • Sight-read rhythms: speak rhythms (2/4 and 6/8 time; quavers and semi-quavers, quaver triplets) on a neutral syllable.
      • Pitch sight-singing: one part from a choral work by J. S. Bach and/or the vocal line from a simple piano song. The candidate sings one part from a Bach chorale, while the other parts are played by the examiner on the piano. Female candidates sing the alto part. Material: Bach chorale. โ€“ The piano song is accompanied by a member of the examining committee on the piano. Material: second half of the 18th or ๏ฌrst half of the 19th century.
      • Sing a sequence of tones in any key. Material: all intervals (upwards and downwards) up to a major seventh. Written in the treble or bass clef.
      • Identify triads (major, minor, diminished, augmented; all inversions) and four-note chords (dominant seventh chord, minor seventh, diminished seventh and major seventh; only in root position)
      • Play on the piano: simple chord progressions (four parts). The left-hand plays a simple set bass line on the piano, the right-hand adds the chords to go with it. Material: triads in root position, written in four parts. Keys: major and minor up to three sharps or ๏ฌ‚ats.

    5. Written theory examination
      (choice of classical, jazz or pop style)

    6. Colloquium
      Duration: 20 minutes

      • Short presentation of your own musical creative work (on your own laptop). The candidate chooses one or more functional compositions (music +) from their dossier.
      • Statement on musical concept: Why did I reach this result? Your thoughts on the piece, followed by questions from the panel and about your professional aspirations as well as how the course is structured.

  • Information day

    21 November 2024

    Online application

    7 January โ€“ 1 March 2025

    Home assignment

    5โ€“20 March 2025

    Notification of admission to the aptitude test

    Mid-April 2025

    Aptitude test

    28 April โ€“ 2 May 2025

    Publication of the results

    Mid-May 2025

    Course commencement

    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 and the corresponding fact sheet on Tuition Fees at ZHdK.

  • 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.
        โ†’ 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 โ€˜Complete entryโ€™ 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.