Registration and admissions process

Thank you for your interest in the Master's programme in Design 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 Programme Regulations of the Master of Design at Zurich University of the Arts (StO MA Design § 4 ff.).

  • Please ensure you submit the following documents when submitting your application:

    1. Letter of motivation
      Please explain your motivation for applying to the MA Design (max. 1 A4 page). If you have no previous design education, please describe your previous professional activities and education and explain why you wish to pursue a Master’s degree in Design (max. 2 A4 pages).

    2. Project idea
      Please outline a research-oriented project idea relevant to your chosen major (max. 2 A4 pages). The project description should identify your interests, provide a situation analysis, and clarify your approach. If necessary, please submit additional documents to support your project idea and note the specific requirements of your major in the next section. The submitted project idea may, but need not, be part of your future Master’s programme.

      Please note the explanations on the project idea for your major:

      Game Design
      Outline your considerations regarding the game mechanics and the function of the planned artifact (game) as well as the intended target group. In addition, describe how the artifact will contribute to the research project and, conversely, how your research will advance the artifact.

      Interaction Design
      Please outline a research-oriented project idea relevant to your chosen major (max. 2 A4 pages). The project description should identify your research interests, provide a situation analysis, and clarify your designerly approach. Please refer to appropriate literature and similar projects. If necessary, please submit additional documents to support your project idea, such as sketches, visualizations, photography or illustrations. The submitted project idea may, but need not, be part of your future Master’s studies.

      Knowledge Visualization
      Please outline a research-oriented project idea relevant to your chosen major (max. 2 A4 pages). The project description should identify your research interests, provide a situation analysis, and clarify your designerly approach. Please refer to appropriate literature and similar projects. If necessary, please submit additional documents to support your project idea, such as sketches, visualizations, photography or illustrations. The submitted project idea may, but need not, be part of your future Master’s studies.

      Industrial Design
      Outline your major-specific research interest on a maximum of two A4 pages. Describe how you would like to deal with your research topic in a creative and practice-oriented way. If necessary, supplement your submission with additional visual media, such as process visualizations, mood boards, etc. In addition, suggest which possible minor programs would strengthen your interest in design.

      Trends & Identity
      Try to make the project idea (or several) tangible using concrete phenomena. Locate the project proposal in the central concepts of the subject area and give examples of the scope for development. In addition, suggest which potential minor programs would strengthen your project idea(s). Process visualizations, mappings and moodboards, which visually describe the research-oriented design concerns, are welcome as visual argumentation.

      Visual Communication
      Please outline a research-oriented project idea relevant to your chosen major (max. 2 A4 pages). The project description should identify your research interests, provide a situation analysis, and clarify your designerly approach. The research aspects of the project idea must be clearly worked out and specified. Please refer to appropriate literature and similar projects. If necessary, please submit additional documents to support your project idea, such as sketches, visualizations, photography or illustrations. The submitted project idea may, but need not, be part of your future Master’s studies.

    3. Portfolio/reference list
      Please enclose a list of design projects or projects from your previous field of activity in which you were significantly involved. These can be:
      –   Projects from your previous studies
      –   Projects from your design practice, undertaken either while you were employed at a design agency or as a self-employed designer
      –   Research projects
      –   Projects with a theoretical orientation
      If possible, please add images to illustrate your projects.

      The portfolio/reference list must be submitted digitally (PDF or link) – except for the Master Major in Visual Communication, where submission can be digital or physical. Physical portfolios should be sent to the address below by the application deadline.

      Zürcher Hochschule der Künste 
      Sekretariat Master Design 
      Pfingstweidstrasse 96
      Postfach
      8031 Zürich

      For information about collecting the portfolio please contact Bettina Hannwacker.

    4. Letter of recommendation
      Please upload at least two letters of recommendation (no references) if you are applying for a place on our MA Design. Letters should be issued by a relevant individual or institution (e.g. employer, university).

    5. 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, Specialised Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).

    6. Ex-matriculation certificate
      Confirmation of ex-matriculation is issued at Swiss universities upon graduation or upon termination of studies. If issue is pending, confirmation must be submitted later.

    7. 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.

    8. 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.

    9. 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.

    10. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
      Please submit in tabular form, no prose texts.

    11. 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.

    12. 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.

  • The ZHdK Master of Arts in Design offers six majors, each enabling an in-depth engagement with design. Please select your major. Your application will then be reviewed by the appropriate experts. If you wish to apply for two majors, please contact Bettina Hannwacker.

    Aptitude interview

    Aptitude interviews are held at ZHdK’s Toni Campus in Zurich. Interviews are attended by the relevant experts from the chosen major and last a maximum of one hour. It is also possible to conduct the aptitude interview via video conference. Please contact Bettina Hannwacker.

    Admission

    Admission decisions are taken by the MA Design examination board. Successful applicants will receive written notification of their admission.

  • Information days – major

    22 November 2024

    Opening of online registration – major admissions process

    19 November 2024

    Application deadline (incl. portfolio) – major admissions process

    3 February 2025

    Application confirmation – major

    14 February 2025

    Rejection or request to pay examination fees – major aptitude test

    14 March 2025

    Aptitude interviews – major

    31 March - 11 April 2025

    Admissions decision – major (acceptance / rejection / waiting list)

    17 April 2025

    Minor selection

    By 8 May 2025, until 23:59 h

    Minor aptitude test
    (only if specific entry-level competencies required) **

    12–16 May 2025
    ** The PDFs ‘More about this minor’ linked on the minor pages indicate whether an initial aptitude assessment is required.

    Minor allocations

    22 May 2025

    Module registrations – major and minor

    11–22 June 2025

    Course commencement – major and minor

    Mid September 2025 (Week 38)

  • 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.

  • 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

    • 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. 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.

    • You will receive an e-mail with details about the next steps (see Dates). If you do not receive a message, please check your spam folder.

    • If the registration has not been completed, including payment of the registration fee, the data will be deleted after the registration deadline.