BFA and MFA programs

Zurich is an international hub for the arts and sciences, where tradition meets diversity and future oriented forward thinking. Its cultural facilities are unrivalled in Switzerland for their richness and variety. Historically a hub with global impact, the city remains home to much of Switzerland’s contemporary art and music. Its techno scene was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

With around 2,800 Bachelor and Master students and 650 teaching staff, Zurich University of the Arts is one of the major universities of the arts in Europe. Its diverse range of degree and research programs include Fine Arts, Design, Film, Music, Dance, Theatre and Art Education. ZHdK is also a partner of the Shared Campus with active international exchange programs and residencies, in particular with various partners from art universities in East, South East Asia and the UK. The university offers a contemporary environment with “state-of-the-art” facilities and beautiful studio spaces for all Fine Arts students. DFA x Toni Campus: Video.

Bachelor Fine Arts
The BFA program trains and educates young artists with an international perspective. Artistic practice is a central element of the course. The aim is to teach students the basic principles of individual and/or collaborative artistic practice and to prepare them to work in the art world. The program is a forum for debate and critical reflection on art, culture, and society. It makes it possible to promote the specific artistic interests of the individual students through a clearly tailored course of study.

Personal responsibility and self-organization are key elements of the course. The program is complemented by trips in Switzerland and abroad, on which students visit and reflect on exhibitions, collections, biennales, etc. The program has an English-language track.

Head of the BFA program: Raphael Gygax. Faculty members and guest lecturers include, among others: Monster Chetwynd, Marta Riniker-Radich, Marc Bauer, Marianne Müller, Cory Arcangel, Tarek Lakhrissi, Bea Schlingelhoff, Hanne Lippard, Martin Jaeggi, Mitchell Anderson, Edward Thomasson and Wu Tsang.

Master Fine Arts
The ZHdK Master’s program in Fine Arts is taught in English and stands out with its comprehensive approach to the study of art. The program deepens students’ individual or collective artistic practice and refines their professional knowledge. It provides them with the necessary contextual foundation and understanding for working in the field of art, and combines practice-based know-how with theory across disciplines and methodologies. In this environment, students can thrive as artists and establish a national an international network to develop their careers.

The program comprises not only individual projects, seminars, group tutorials, and art talk series but study trips to international venues as well. In 2022 for example, MFA students had the opportunity to visit the Venice Biennale, the Berlin and Prague Biennale and documenta 15.  

Head of the MFA program: Judith Welter.
Faculty members and guest lecturers in 2022/2023 include, among others: Christian Hübler, Dominique Lämmli, Lorenza Longhi, Uriel Orlow, Ima-Abasi Okon, Paulina Olowska, Marie-France Rafael, Carissa Rodriguez, Nils Röller. Anne Speier, Shirana Shahbazi, Pilvi Takala, and Yvonne Wilhelm.
Head of Department of Fine Arts: Swetlana Heger.

Tuition fees: Swiss and EU: 720 CHF per semester. Outside Europe: 1,220 CHF per semester.
Duration: BFA, six semesters full time study (180 ECTS). MFA, four semesters full time study (120 ECTS).