Registration and admission process

Thank you for your interest in the Master's programme in Jazz & World Music 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 Arts in Music Performance at Zurich University of the Arts (StO MA Music Performance § 4 ff.).

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

    1. Personal data
      • education
      • musical education: instruments, teachers
      • band experience
      • leisure activities
      • etc.

    2. Personal statement: 

      • What does music mean to you, “Jazz & World Music” in particular?
      • Why would you like to study Music Performance Major Jazz & World Music at ZHdK?
      • Where do you think your professional career as a musician will take you?
         
    3. Dossier / video-portfolio
      • Written dossier, see “Aptitude test”
      • Video-portfolio, see “Aptitude test”

    4. 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).

    5. 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.

    6. 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.

    7. 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.

    8. 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.

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

    10. 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.

    11. 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 aptitude test is the first step towards gaining admission to the Master Music Performance.
    Throughout the course of this multi-stage examination, we evaluate candidates’ musical, creative, instrumental/vocal and social skills and abilities.

    Even if candidates pass the aptitude test, their admission is also contingent upon the availability of study places.

    If candidates pass the aptitude test but are not accepted due to a lack of study places, they must repeat the examination when re-applying for later admission to the degree programme.

    Admission to the aptitude test on the basis of the dossier/video-portfolio as part of the online application

    1. Written dossier
      The dossier contains a comprehensive description of the candidate’s artistic career to date as well as their past and current work as a PDF file. Photos and links to websites, audio and video material are encouraged and may be added.

      The jury evaluates:
      –    the description of the candidate’s musical background and career to date as well as the courses of study that they have successfully completed,
      –    the description of their current artistic activities,
      –    the originality of their musical-artistic statement.

    2. Video-Portfolio
      All candidates present themselves and their music in a self-produced video (max.15 minutes) with a performance of their choice. They are free to choose the form and content, which must be clearly connected to the intended Major Jazz.
      –    The video must be submitted along with the rest of the documents during online registration as a link to streaming-platform (YouTube, etc.) by 01 March at the latest. The links must be available until 31 May.
      –    It should provide an informative insight into the candidate’s artistic work and contain excerpts from at least two live musical performances. Original compositions/songs are strongly encouraged.
      –    All performances must be recorded in full, without editing or cuts.

    • Technical requirements
      • Video recordings must be taken from a fixed camera perspective – the candidate’s hands and face must be visible.
      • Recordings may be made on a mobile phone, camera or laptop computer.
      • Use of a stereo microphone is desirable.
      • The quality and format of the recordings should meet the following criteria: HD video (720p; 1080i; 1080p) with 265 kbit/s sound resolution
         
    • The jury evaluates
      • the excellence of the instrumental/vocal performance,
      • the musical autonomy/recognizability,
      • as well as the artistic potential/individuality of the candidate’s own music/interpretations.

    After reviewing all video portfolios, the jury decides whether or not the candidates meet the necessary artistic requirements for the study programme and are admitted to the aptitude test.

    Attention:
    Before admission to the aptitude test, the submitted documents are first checked for completeness by the university administration. The university administration then informs the candidates and the jury whether the documents are correct and the candidate is admitted for the professional evaluation, i.e. the viewing of the video portfolio by the jury.

    This is only an administrative pre-clearance and not the admission to the aptitude test by the jury. This will take place in a second step and will be communicated separately.

    As of March 29, all candidates will be informed by the Jazz and Pop Secretariat via e-mail about their admission or non-admission. Until then, please bear with us; any enquiries directed to the Jazz and Pop Office cannot be answered. There is no entitlement to a professional explanation of the decision.

    The aptitude test consists of two parts:

    1.    Live-Performance
    2.    Interview

    1. 1. Live performance/audition 
      Duration: approx. 45 minutes.

      The live performance takes place on stage in the department's own music club, Mehrspur.

      Candidates determine the form and content of the performance (approx. 30 minutes) themselves. Candidates are responsible for designing, organizing and executing the performance.

      An audition band is provided; however, candidates may bring their own band. In this case, please inform the Jazz and Pop Office in advance.

      An admissions interview is held with the jury after the performance.

      The jury evaluates:
      –    the skill level displayed in the areas of performance, composition/arrangement and production,
      –    the conceptual creativity and individuality of the performance
      –    the originality of the musical-artistic statement.

    2. Interview
      Duration: approx. 10 minutes.

      Open discussion with the Jury, focusing on questions concerning the Live-Performance,, career objectives and organizing one's course of study. 

      A candidate’s suitability for admission to the Master's programme is assessed on the basis of their performance, dossier, video portfolio and examination results from previous courses of study. 

      Even if a candidate passes the admissions examination, their admission is also contingent upon the availability of study places.

    Allocation of study places

    As of 10 May, all candidates will be informed by the Jazz and Pop secretariat via e-mail whether or not they will be offered a study place. Until then, please bear with us; any enquiries directed to the Jazz and Pop Office cannot be answered.

    Candidates with the status “waiting list” will not be offered a place at first, but in case of cancellations by other candidates, they can move up to a place and will be informed by the Jazz and Pop Office via e-mail as of 29 May whether they will be offered a study place or not. Until then, please bear with us; any enquiries directed to the Jazz and Pop Office cannot be answered.

    There is no entitlement to further justification of the decisions.

    If a candidate passes the admissions examination but is not accepted due to a lack of study places, they must repeat the examination when re-applying for later admission to the degree programme.

  • Information day – major

    21 November 2024

    Online application process begins! Major admissions process

    7 January 2025

    Application deadline (incl. portfolio) – major admissions process

    1 March 2025

    Minor selection

    10–30 March 2025

    Aptitude Test Major Jazz

    7–16 April 2025
    The individual days/times will be announced with the invitation to the exam.

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

    21 April – 3 May 2025

    Admissions decision – major and minor allocations

    Mid-May 2025

    Module registrations – major and minor

    9–17 June 2025

    Course commencement – major and minor

    Mid 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.

  • How often can you apply for the Master Music Performance Major Jazz?
    A failed aptitude test may be repeated once. If a candidate is not offered a study place after having passed the aptitude test successfully, the test may be repeated without restriction in the case of candidacy for subsequent entry to the programme.

    May I submit several partial videos instead of a 15-minute video?
    Only one streaming-link file may be uploaded in the online application; please send us all your recordings in one 15-minute video. 

    Is there an age limit for the application process?
    In principle, all candidates who fulfil the admissions requirements with regard to prior education, language knowledge and musical-artistic potential may apply.

    The regulations specify that the video to be submitted must not be edited. What happens in the case of live recordings, where the sound and image can only be assembled afterwards? (Recording via audio interface and headphones)
    In this case, the focus is on editing that not only documents the actual performance but also changes it with the express purpose of improving it, primarily cuts/editing, changes in intonation, timing, etc. This type of editing is not permitted. Changes to the sound design using an equalizer, compression, reverb, etc. (“mixing”) are permitted. The videos are based on actual real, live and real-life performances, not on edited and finished productions in order to guarantee that all candidates have the same opportunities and provide a true picture of their musical ability.

    How do I find out whether I have been invited to the aptitude test, or not?
    From 29 March, all candidates will be progressively notified by the Jazz and Pop Office via e-mail as to whether they have been admitted to the aptitude test, or not. 
    Until then, please bear with us; any enquiries directed to the Jazz and Pop Office cannot be answered.

    How do I find out whether I have been offered a study place on the programme, or not?
    As of 15 May, all candidates will be informed by the Jazz and Pop secretariat via e-mail whether or not they will be offered a study place. Until then, please bear with us; any enquiries directed to the Jazz and Pop Office prior to this time cannot be answered.

    Candidates with the status “waiting list” will not be offered a place at first, but in case of cancellations by other candidates, they can move up to a place and will be informed by the Jazz and Pop Office via e-mail as of 29 May whether they will be offered a study place or not. Until then, please bear with us; any enquiries directed to the Jazz and Pop Office cannot be answered.

    There is no entitlement to further justification of the decisions.

    Even if candidates pass the aptitude test, their admission is also contingent upon the availability of study places.

    If candidates pass the aptitude test but are not accepted due to a lack of study places, they must repeat the examination when re-applying for later admission to the degree programme.