FAQs

  • Yes. Like all Swiss art academies, the Zurich University of the Arts does not have its own right to award doctorates. However, in order to enable its graduates and international students to obtain a doctorate, the ZHdK has entered into cooperation agreements with universities in Switzerland and abroad. These are geared towards either artistic, scientific or artistic-scientific doctorates.

    Please note: No new PhD candidates will be accepted at the ZHdK until Sommer 2025 as we are currently planning the next cycle of PhD activities. Further information will be available in Spring 2025 and published on our website in due time. 

  • Subject area: Cultural Analysis in the Arts
    Cooperation partner: University of Art and Design Linz/Austria
    Contact at ZHdK: Prof. Dr. Sigrid Adorf

    Subject area: Design
    Cooperation partners: University of Art and Design Linz/Austria
    Contact at ZHdK: Design Research ZHdK

    Subject area: Didactics of Art and Design
    Cooperation partners: University of Education Zurich, University of Education Freiburg, Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design
    Contact at ZHdK: Prof. Dr. Miriam Schmidt-Wetzel

    Subject area: Epistemologies of Aesthetic Practices
    Cooperation partners: ETH Zurich and University of Zurich (UZH)
    Contacts at ZHdK: Prof. Dr. Judith Siegmund, Dominique Raemy

    Subject area: Fine Arts
    Cooperation partner: University of Art and Design Linz/Austria
    Contact at ZHdK: Dr. Marcel Bleuler

    Subject area: Music
    Cooperation partner: University of Music and Performing Arts Graz/Austria
    Contact at ZHdK: Prof. Dr. Jรถrn Peter Hiekel

    Subject area: Transdisciplinary Artistic
    Cooperation partner: University of Art and Design Linz/Austria
    Contact at ZHdK: Prof. Dr. Florian Dombois, Dr. Marcel Bleuler

    Subject area: Performing Arts and Film
    Cooperation partners: Stockholm University of Arts/Sweden, Fimuniversity Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF/Germany, University of Art and Design Linz/Austria
    Contact at ZHdK: Dr. Ilse van Rijn

    Doctoral studies are usually possible in all disciplines at ZHdK. Please contact the respective professor in the discipline you are interested in to ask about the possibility of doing a doctorate. An overview of the various disciplines and departments at ZHdK can be found under Degree Programmes ZHdK.

  • The requirements are:

    1. A completed four-semester Masterโ€™s programme (120 ECTS credits) in one of the corresponding disciplines. In the case of a three-semester Masterโ€™s programme (90 ECTS credits), 30 ECTS credits can be earned in one part of the cooperation programmes in order to achieve the equivalent of a four-semester Masterโ€™s programme.
    2. Masterโ€™s degree with a grade of at least โ€œGoodโ€ or โ€œBโ€.
    3. As a rule, several years of artistic practice and proof of an artistic oeuvre are also required for artistic doctorates.
    4. Depending on the doctoral programme, additional accomplishments may be required.

  • How do I apply?

    The application procedures in the individual programs vary. Please refer to the relevant programme pages or contact the person responsible.

  • Where do I study for the degree programme?

    The major part of the degree programme takes place at the ZHdK, the smaller part at the partner university. The regulations vary depending on the programme. Information can be obtained from the respective contact persons.

  • How many compulsory events do I have to attend? And where do they take place?

    The proportion of the compulsory programme varies depending on the programme, as do the parts to be taken at the ZHdK and the parts to be taken at the partner university. Information can be obtained from the respective contact persons.

  • Does the ZHdK award doctoral scholarships?

    The ZHdK does not award scholarships.

  • What possibilities are there for financing the doctoral project?

    The ZHdK does not award scholarships and a doctorate at the ZHdK is not automatically linked to employment. PhD candidates must seek funding independently. The PhD Centre recommends that PhD candidates first talk to their supervisors or program directors. The following funding options are available:

    • If available, a position in a larger research project within the framework of funding by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Innosuisse or other third-party donors; see advertised positions at the ZHdK.
    • If available, an employment of up to 50% as a teaching assistant at the ZHdK, see advertised positions at the ZHdK for teaching assistants.
    • Cantonal and municipal loans
    • Financial grants from swissuniversities for doctorates based on a cooperation agreement between ZHdK and a partner university abroad (Europe and Israel). 
    • Self-financing.
      Your employer may be able to offer you support. Otherwise, it is of course possible to work while doing a doctorate. This will, of course, result in time and financial restrictions. Please note that a doctoral thesis requires your regular attention so that it can be completed in a reasonable time that is generally accepted internationally (four to five years).
    • FundingZ โ€“ the research-oriented funding finder of ZHdK
      FundingZ, the funding finder of ZHdK, offers straightforward, structured access to research funding opportunities in Switzerland and abroad. With the help of the web-based tool, interested researchers can filter out those which meet their needs and plans from a pool of more than 80 funding programmes and calls. 

  • Who awards the title?

    The title (Dr. or PhD) is awarded by the partner university entitled to award doctorates.

  • Can I have a ZHdK professor as my supervisor?

    Yes. You must have a ZHdK supervisor to register at ZHdK.