Registration and admission process

Thank you for your interest in the Bachelor's programme in Music and Movement 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. 

→ Detailed information on the Major-Minor programme structure

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 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 and Movement at Zurich University of the Arts (StO BA Music and Movement § 4 ff.). 

Students should be prepared to link music, movement and pedagogy together in a variety of ways. They are also required to play a main instrument and sing, as well as having basic piano skills, experience of free improvisation, rhythm and movement coordination, movement expression and an ability to communicate both through and with creative movement.

Students must show evidence of having completed their own placement working with children by the time they begin the course.

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

    1. Covering letter in German (in electronic form) containing:

      1. Personal details (curriculum vitae, complete with years):School education, musical training: instruments, teachers, ensemble experience, other studies, professional work 
      2. Personal statement:Why would you like to study music at ZHdK? Explain why you have chosen a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Movement. Where do you see yourself professionally in the future?

    2. 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).

    3. 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 must be submitted later.

    4. 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.

    5. 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.

    6. 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.

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

    8. 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.

    9. 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 (portrait) 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 audition for the Bachelor in Music and Movement covers four areas:
    1.    Practical music and improvisation
    2.    Rhythmic coordination/dance/creative movement
    3.    Practical teaching of music theory
    4.    Discussion about the course
    Examples of the individual parts of the test are available online as PDF documents or videos for practice. These detailed documents help candidates to prepare for the test in a focused way and are intended to build confidence in their own abilities.
     

    1. Practical music and improvisation

    • Type of test: Individual test (performance), group test (improvisation)
    • Duration: 15 minutes performance, 15 minutes improvisation
    • Panel: Music and Movement / School Music lecturers
    • Sheet music: The panel must be given one copy of sheet music for each piece played

      Candidate(s) must include the following in the musical performance they create:

      1.1 Singing an accompanied piece of repertoire (not required if voice is their main instrument)

      1.2 Performing/singing two accompanied pieces from different periods or in different styles on their main instrument/voice

      1.3 Playing a piece of repertoire on the piano (not required if piano is their main instrument)

      1.4 Performing a children's song they have composed themselves according to the following structure: intro, verses, chorus, bridge, outro.

      1.5 Improvisation in a group: Candidates must perform a free improvisation on their main instrument and instruments provided as a solo, duo or ensemble. Some musical input will be provided.

      Documents for preparation:

    2. Rhythmic coordination / dance / creative movement

    • Type of test: Group test and solo performance
    • Duration: 90 minutes
    • Panel: Music and Movement / School Music lecturers

      2.1 Rhythm, coordination and movement
      Performing various rhythmic movement coordination exercises using the space and a variety of instruments (shakers, balls, groovy bags, sticks). Candidates must produce regular, pulsating basic movements and combinations of movements on and off the beat, doubletime offbeat and with accents on different parts of the beat.

      2.2 Dance movement and improvisation
      Dance movement with and without music. The ability of conscious movement control, movement adaptation as well as creative implementation of improvisational tasks are considered.

      2.3 Creative movement
      Own creative movement to music: creating a movement study set (choreography) to music provided, demonstrating an individual sense of expression, a love of movement and use the whole body while incorporating the surrounding space. 
      Duration: 2 minutes

      Download sample pieces for Rhythmic coordination / dance / creative movement (choose one of pieces listed below):

    3. Practical teaching of music theory

    Candidates with a Bachelor of Arts in Music/Musicology or a Master of Arts in Music/Musicology do not have to complete this section of the test. 

    • 3.1 Practical teaching of music theory: written
      • Type of test: Individual test
      • Duration: 30 minutes
      • Panel: Music and Movement / School Music lecturers

        Identifying musical elements by ear – aural analysis
        Procedure:

        • Candidates listen to an audio sample selected by the examiners several times and write down their observations about the musical elements they hear.
        • They make observations about the style, instrumentation, form, melody, rhythm, harmony, compositional techniques, contrast and phrasing (as well as about the era, composer, interpreter, if necessary) based on (excerpts from) pop/rock songs and/or classical pieces
        • Candidates present their findings in an interview with the jury.
           
    • 3.2 Practical teaching of music theory: oral
      • Type of test: Colloquium
      • Duration: 30 minutes
      • Panel: Music and Movement / School Music lecturers

        Singing, playing, listening and notating melodic, harmonic and rhythmic structures:
        Content:
        • Intervals up to the octave – read / play on the piano / listen and identify / note down
        • Major and minor scales in all keys – read / play on the piano / listen and identify / note down
        • Major and minor triads, diminished and augmented, as well as inversions – read / play on the piano / listen and identify / note down
        • Play rhythmic patterns / perform and combine body percussion grooves, and add breaks or fills. Please note that candidates must prepare at least three patterns of their choice!
        • Roman numeral analysis (leadsheet or classical lied)
        • Sight-reading (leadsheet or choral)
        • Play major and minor cadences in all keys on the piano
           
        • Procedure:
          Candidates receive different samples of sheet music. They use them to analyse some basic music theory and put them into practica under the guidance of a lecturer.

          Documents for preparation:
          –  Ear training examples (.zip file)
          –  Exercises:
               –  Bodypercussion Grooves and examples “Rhythmen prima vista” (PDF)
               –  Chorals (PDF)
               –  Leadsheets (PDF)
               –  Scales and cadences on the piano (PDF)
          –  Eartraining apps and links:
               –  Ear Master
               –  Music Tutor
               –  ET-Ear Trainier (by Daniel Schenker, ZHdK)
               –  Earz
               –  Musictheory.net
               –  elmu.online
               

    4. Admissions interview

    • Type of test: One-to-one discussion
    • Duration: 15 minutes
    • Panel: Music and Movement / School Music lecturers

      In the discussion, candidates discuss and answer questions about how they prepared for their test, their professional goals and how the course is structured. The questions refer to the covering letter submitted with the application.

  • Information day

    21 November 2024

    Online application 

    7 January – 1 March 2025

    Minor selection

    11–31 March 2025

    Minor admissions interview (only if specific entry-level required)

    21. April – 3 Mai 2025

    Admissions decisions – major and minor (acceptance / rejection / waiting list)

    Mid-May 2025

    Course commencement 

    15 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.
        → 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.

Questions concerning the aptitude test?

Please contact us via email only.