Requirements
Bachelor
- A secondary school certificate recognised as granting Swiss university entry, or the required university entrance examination or preparatory route where it does not.
- CEFR C1 proficiency in the language of instruction (mostly German), demonstrated by a language certificate before studies begin.
- Application through UZH's general online application system within the published window.
Master
- A bachelor's degree UZH recognises as equivalent, meeting the specific programme's grade and subject prerequisites; specialised programmes may require separate pre-registration with the responsible institute or graduate school.
- For an English-taught programme: IELTS Academic 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in Speaking and Writing) or TOEFL iBT 100 (minimum 25 Speaking, 26 Writing), not older than two years; online IELTS and TOEFL Home Edition results are not accepted. Cambridge C1 Advanced (grade B) or C2 Proficiency also accepted.
- For a German-taught programme: CEFR C1 German.
- Applicants needing a Swiss entry visa must apply by 28 February for the autumn semester (30 April for those who do not).
Documents
Academic transcripts and certificates from every institution attended; a valid language certificate matching the programme's teaching language, sent through the test provider's own verification service (the IELTS Candidate Results Portal, ETS Online Score Verification for TOEFL, or Cambridge's Candidate Results Portal); passport or ID copy; and, for programmes requiring it, a motivation letter, CV or academic references. Applicants who will need a Swiss entry visa should also prepare the documents their consulate requires, since UZH advises they need the admission decision at least three months before their planned start.
How to apply
- Confirm your access route and language requirement for your chosen programme, and pre-register with the relevant institute or graduate school if the programme requires it.
- Gather transcripts, certificates and a valid language certificate matching the teaching language.
- Apply online within UZH's published window: 1 January to 30 April for the autumn semester (28 February if you will need a Swiss entry visa), or 1 July to 30 November for the spring semester (31 July if you will need a visa).
- Pay the application fee: CHF 100, or CHF 150 for applicants with foreign qualifications (a rate that has applied since 1 January 2025).
- Wait for the admission decision, then use it to apply for the Swiss national student visa if required.
- After admission and, where relevant, visa issuance, complete enrolment and pay the first semester's tuition and contributions.
English test waiver
The IELTS/TOEFL minimums apply to programmes taught in English; German-taught programmes instead ask for CEFR C1 German. From 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT moves to a new 1-to-30 scale; UZH's published minimum on the new scale is 5 overall with a minimum of 5 in Speaking and Writing, replacing the current 100 overall / 25 Speaking / 26 Writing shown here. Online IELTS and TOEFL Home Edition results are not accepted.