Application and admission process PreCollege Music – Jazz/Pop

Thank you for your interest in the PreCollege Jazz/Pop programme at the Zurich University of the Arts. We are pleased to accept your application until 1 March 2025.
The admission examiminations to the PreCollege Music programme at the ZHdK examines the prerequisites, level of musical training and motivation with regard to the skills to be acquired for later music studies.

Candidates for a Bachelor's degree who are interested in a PreCollege place must apply for both programmes.

The next information events for the PreCollege Music of the ZHdK will take place:

  • Thursday, 21.11.2024, 14:00 - 15:30, Toni-Areal, Hörsaal 1, Ebene 3
  • Saturday, 18.01.2025, 10:00 - 11:30, Toni Areal, Konzertsaal 1, Ebene 7

We are looking forward to welcoming young musicians, their parents and music teachers!

  • Please consider:

    • 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 (*).
    • When you have entered all the necessary details, press “Complete entry” to submit your application. Upon receipt, your details will be checked by our office. You will not be able to change any details once submitted. If you do not receive a confirmation by us within seven working days, please check your spam folder.
    • The application deadline 1 March has to be respected. Applications that are not submitted on time can not be considered.
    • If there are any difficulties, please contact us by e-mail: precollege.musik@zhdk.ch

  • If you have a ZHdK login, you may apply with your ZHdK login.
    If you have no ZHdK login, you will need a SWITCH edu-ID.

    → How to create and use a SWITCH edu-ID (in German)

    If there are any difficulties, please contact us by e-mail: precollege.musik@zhdk.ch

  • Only complete dossiers will be assessed.

    • With the exception of the personal photo, all documents must be uploaded in PDF format (portrait format).

    National insurance number

    If you live or work in Switzerland, you will find the Swiss national insurance number (756...) on your AHV card or on your Swiss health insurance card.

    Photo

    Upload a current portrait photo in passport photo quality as a JPG (at least 320 x 400 pixels). The photo must be high-contrast and your face must be clearly visible. The photo must not show any other people or objects.

    Copy of ID or passport

    We need a scan of your passport or ID.

    School leaving certificates

    Please upload your school-leaving certificates or, if applicable, a current confirmation from your secondary school.

    CV

    Please submit in tabular form.

    Video recordings

    Jazz: You prepare three jazz standards of different character totalling 12 minutes. Possible are own accompaniments, band participation or playback. Performing from memory and free improvisation are highly desirable. Leadsheets must be submitted with the application.

    Pop: You will prepare three pop songs of different character totalling approx. 12 minutes. One of the three pop songs must be an original composition by the candidate. Own accompaniment, band participation or playback are possible. By heart performances are highly desirable. The leadsheets must be submitted with the application.

    Further documents

    • Report from the current main subject teacher on musical development over the past year.
    • Song list of the last 12 months
    • Letter of recommendation from the desired main subject teacher at the ZHdK, if the main subject is to be taken internally at the ZHdK or submitted by e-mail by 30 March 2025 at the latest. If you have any questions or uncertainties, please contact the Head of PreCollege Music. Internal major subject places at the ZHdK are limited. The decision on the allocation of places will be made at the entrance examinations.
    • Video recordings

  • The admission examination takes place on the basis of the submitted video recordings (see above).

  • The recordings of the artistic, i.e. instrumental or vocal, presentation must be uploaded in the ONLA application as YouTube links in the ‘Video link’ text fields. Unlisted, non-publicly visible videos can be uploaded to YouTube and shared via a link.

    Guidelines

    1. Only uncut and unedited audio recordings will be considered by the expert commission. The audio track may be combined with the video track at a later date.
    2. The performer, head, body and hands (instrumental) must be clearly recognisable on the recordings.
    3. All recordings must be labelled with surname, first name, chosen profile, instrument, composer and precise work details or song title.
    4. On one of the recordings, describe in 1-2 minutes what you know about the songs you have played, what they mean to you personally and what relationship you have to these songs.
    5. The recordings must have been made between December 2024 and February 2025. By submitting the application, the interested party guarantees that all recordings were made during this period.

  • Information events

    • Thursday, 21 November 2024, 14:00 - 15:30, Toni Areal, Hörsaal 1, Level 3
    • Saturday, 18 January 2025, 10:00 - 11:30, Toni Areal, Konzertsaal 1, Level 7

    Opening of the online registration for the PreCollege admission procedure

    7 January 2025

    Closing date for online registration for the PreCollege admission procedure

    1 March 2025

    Entrance examinations

    Take place via video recording.

  • Different rules apply for entry to Switzerland. In principle, a distinction is made between nationals of EU/EFTA countries and third-country nationals. Click here for an overview of ID and visa regulations by nationality.

    On contrary to Bachelor or Master programmes the PreCollege Music of the ZHdK is a part-time programme. Third-country nationals unfortnunately can't participate in the PreCollee Music of the ZHdK due to vica regulations.

    Entry checklists:https://www.zhdk.ch/en/aboutus/university-office/studentadviceservice