Registration and admission process

Thank you for your interest in the Master’s programme in School Music I 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

Would you like to know how you can prepare specifically for the entrance exam? More information here!

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 Music Pedagogy at Zurich University of the Arts (StO MA Music Pedagogy § 4 ff.).

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

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

    1. Letter of motivation (typewritten, in German):
      1. Personal details (Full curriculum vitae/please indicate dates with all information: School education, previous musical training: instruments, tutors, ensemble experience.); other studies, professional activities, work experience
      2. Personal statement:
        Why do you wish to study music at Zurich University of Arts (ZHdK)? Please give reasons for choosing the MA in School Music.
        What are your career plans?

    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, Specialized Baccalaureate or Federal VET Diploma).

    3. 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.

    4. 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.

    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, no prose texts.

    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 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.

  • 1. Practical music

    • Type of test: Individual test
    • Duration: 20 minutes
    • 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 an accompanied piece 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 song composed by the candidate to a text they have written themselves. The piece must be adapted to the target level of the chosen Core Subject (young people) and performed with the candidate's own accompanist. The song composition is submitted to the examination board in the form of a lead sheet (melody, lyrics, chord numbers) and contains the following structure: Intro, two verses, chorus, bridge, outro.
      * Note on the selection of pieces: The pieces provided for download are examples. Candidates are free to choose from these pieces or to make their own selection adapted to their playing level.

      Documents for preparation

    2. Teaching and movement exercises

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

    2.1 Teaching exercise
    Teach a short lesson (7 minutes per candidate)
    Each candidate will teach some well-prepared musical content to the other participants. This could be a short dance routine, body percussion, a canon, a circle song or similar. The candidates each have seven minutes to teach their short lesson.

    2.2 Rhythm and movement
    1. 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. Reproducing a set rhythmic groove as a group from sheet music

     

    3. Practical teaching of music theory

    This part of the examination is waived for candidates with a Bachelor of Arts in Music / Musicology or a Master of Arts in Music / Musicology.

    3.1 Practical teaching of music theory: written

    Type of test: Individual test Duration: 30 minutes Panel: Music and Movement / School Music lecturers Composing The candidates invent and notate a melody of approx. 8 bars, harmonize the melody and notate the chord symbols above the staves. Certain details such as time signature and key will be determined by the examination board. A piano is available to help you.


    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, identifying and notating melodic, harmonic and rhythmic structures

    Contents:

    • Intervals up to a tenth – read / sing / play on the piano / listen and identify / notate
    • Major and minor scales up to four sharps and flats, church scales/modi, pentatonics, blues scale, chromatic scale, whole-tone scale – read / sing / play on the piano / listen and identify / notate
    • Major and minor triads, diminished and augmented, as well as inversions – read / sing / play on the piano / listen and identify / notate
    • Tetrachords in root position – read / sing / play on the piano / listen and identify / notate
    • Play rhythmic patterns / perform and combine Bodypercussion grooves and add breaks and fills – please prepare at least three Bodypercussion groove patterns of your choice.
    • Analysis of chord progressions (leadsheet or classical Lied)
    • Sight-reading (leadsheet or choral)
    • Major and minor cadences up to four sharps and flats – play on the piano

    How it works:
    Candidates receive different samples of sheet music. They use the samples to work through some basic music theory and put them into practica under the guidance of a lecturer.

    Documents for preparation:
    –  Exercises:
         –  Bodypercussion Grooves and examples “Rhythmen prima vista” (PDF)
         –  Chorals (PDF)
         –  Leadsheets (PDF)
         –  Four-note chords (repertoire) (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. Presentation and discussion

    • Type of test: Individual test
    • Duration: 15 minutes
    • Panel: Music and Movement / School Music lecturers
      • Presentation of previous musical and teaching activities; experience and/or shadowing in the candidate's future professional field
      • Presentation of how you prepared for the audition
      • Outline of individually tailored academic and professional goals
      • Language skills
      • Candidates will be asked follow-up questions and discuss possible academic intentions.

  • Information day – major

    23 November 2023 

    Online application process begins – major admissions process 

    10 January 2024 

    Application deadline major admissions process 

    1 March 2024 

    Information events minors 

    4–15 March 2024 

    Minor selection

    11–31 March

    Aptitude test major 

    10 / 11 / 12 / 15 April 2024  

    Minor Aptitude Test
    (Only if specific entry-level competencies required)

    22 April – 4 May 2024

    Admissions decision major (acceptance / rejection / waiting list) 

    10 May 2024 

    Course commencement (major and minor)

    16 September 2024

  • 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

    • 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.