Guide to Choosing What to Study

Have you just completed your Swiss university entrance qualification (Matura) or another university entrance qualification? Are you already studying but are unhappy with your current program and looking to change? Our guide to choosing what to study will lead you through the decision-making process step by step.
 

Choosing a study program is a big decision that takes time and shouldn’t be made in a hurry. It’s completely normal to have questions, to feel uncertain, and to have doubts. Start thinking about what you want to study at an early stage so you have enough time to gather information, take part in taster sessions, and mull over your decision.

Key considerations:

• What are your strengths, weaknesses, interests and skills?
• What are your visions, goals and aspirations for the future?
• Make the most of the resources around you and talk about the decision you’re your parents, teachers, colleagues and friends.
• Usually there’s no one “right” or “wrong”, but rather several “right” options.

Support from the Cantonal Student Advisory Service (in German)

The Student Advisory Service run by the canton of Zurich can help you make a decision, choose a study program, or switch to a different branch of study. Its services are aimed at upper secondary school pupils, high school graduates, and students:

Cantonal portal on choosing a study program: Which study program would suit you?
Cantonal Student Advisory Service: Student advisory service for upper secondary school pupils
Cantonal Student Advisory Service: Student Advisory Service for students

Swiss higher education institutions not only differ in their organization and study structure, but also in the type of education and degree programs offered.  Certain study programs are only offered at universities, while others are only offered at universities of applied sciences. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) distinguishes two types of institutions: universities and universities of applied sciences.

• Universities form the tertiary level of academic education and focus on research and academic qualification.
• Universities of applied sciences form the tertiary level of vocational and professional education and training and focus on practical application and vocational qualification.

An overview of the different higher education institutions can be found on the SERI website:

SERI: Universities and higher education institutions
 (in German)
SERI: Universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education (in German)
SERI: Swiss federal institutes of technology (ETH and EPFL)

Key considerations:

• Which type of higher education institution best suits you and your plans for the future?
• What is important to you in education? 
• Are you looking for a practice-based education? Or are you interested in basic research and perhaps even in pursuing an academic career?

With seven faculties, over 150 departments and more than 200 study programs, UZH offers the broadest range of subjects in Switzerland. This wide range of disciplines also offers ideal opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange. The greatest challenges of our time – such as AI, climate change and global crises – don’t fit neatly into discrete subject areas, but require holistic solutions.

The broad academic program and the interdisciplinary exchange at UZH are two of many good reasons to study at UZH. Explore other reasons under Choose UZH:

Choose UZH: Good reasons to study at UZH

The admission requirements to study at UZH vary depending on the academic level and/or study program. All the details on admission and on the different admission requirements can be found under “Application and Admission”:

Application and Admission: Admission to a Bachelor’s Program
Application and Admission: Admission to a Master’s Program
Application and Admission: Admission to Degree Programs in Medicine
Application and Admission: Language Requirements

UZH offers more than 250 study programs at Bachelor’s and Master’s level. The study programs are not only very different in terms of their topics and specializations, but also in terms of their academic cultures and different forms of teaching, studying and examining.

Studying at UZH – How Does It Work?

What is a Bachelor’s and what is a Master’s degree? And what about a single major study program and a major subject? The basic principles of studying at UZH and a glossary of the most important terms can be found under “Academic Programs”:
Academic Programs: Basic principles
Academic Programs: Glossary

UZH’s Study Programs

UZH offers over 60 Bachelor’s programs and more than 200 Master’s programs. You’ll find the key information, descriptions, contact information and links on all study programs in our searchable database under “Academic Programs”:
Academic Programs: Bachelor’s Study Programs (search screen)
Academic Programs: Master’s Study Programs (search screen)

Information Days for Prospective Students

You can get a comprehensive overview of UZH’s academic programs at the Bachelor Information Days in early September, and at the Master Information Days in early March. At these events you also get the chance to attend lectures in your chosen subject, and/or to discuss your questions with students and teaching staff in your subject.
Bachelor Information Days
Master Information Days

Key considerations:

• Which academic culture appeals to you? What kind of subject-specific competencies and methods are you keen to learn?
• What kind of program structure suits you, your personal circumstances and your study habits?
• In what kind of setting do you want to work in future (in an office, in industry, in a lab, with people, self-employed or in an organization)?

Possible Combinations at Bachelor's Level

At the Bachelor’s level, there are study programs comprising 180, 150, 120, 60 or 30 ECTS credits. The 180 ECTS credits required for a Bachelor’s degree can thus be acquired from one single study program or by combining two. Possible combinations by faculty are as follows:

• Faculty of Theology and the Study of Religion: 180 ECTS or combination of 120 plus 60 ECTS
• Faculty of Law: 180/60/30 ECTS
• Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics: Combination of 150 plus 30 ECTS or 120 plus 60 ECTS (the latter only for informatics with natural sciences)
• Faculty of Medicine: 180 ECTS
• Vetsuisse Faculty: 180 ECTS
• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: combination of 120 plus 60 ECTS
• Faculty of Science: 180 ECTS or combination of 120 plus 60 ECTS or 150 plus 30 ECTS

Possible Combinations at Master's Level

At Master’s level, there are study programs of 90 ECTS credits (law and some natural sciences), 180 ECTS credits (human and chiropractic medicine only) and 120 ECTS credits (others).

There are various possible approaches to choosing a minor study program. It’s important to remember that it is your major study program that determines the academic degree you attain.

Key considerations:

• You can choose a minor study program that enables you to establish an area of focus for a later Master’s program.
• You can choose a minor program that helps you hone your professional profile for your career.
• You can take advantage of the diversity of study programs at UZH and simply choose a minor program that reflects your interests.
• If you’re interested in completing a Teaching Diploma at a later time, you can choose a major-minor combination that would enable you to teach two subjects.

UZH offers three types of Master’s study programs. Each type has its own admission requirements: 

• Consecutive Master’s study programs are programs that build on a preceding Bachelor’s degree in the same branch of study. There are no special admission requirements to a consecutive Master’s study program as long as the relevant Bachelor’s degree has been obtained. The vast majority of Master’s study programs at UZH are consecutive. 
• Specialized Master’s study programs are programs that don’t build on a specific Bachelor’s degree. Special conditions apply for admission. The specialized Master’s study programs at UZH are frequently interdisciplinary in their approach, have a specific research focus, or are based on cooperation projects with Swiss or foreign partner universities. The additional requirements for admission are primarily content-related prerequisites that must be fulfilled in addition to a Bachelor’s degree program (for example, specific language skills or expertise in a certain area).
  The Faculty of Science in particular offers specialized Master’s study programs that require a specific Bachelor’s degree for admission and that treat specialization as the definition of a specific (research) focus.
• Complementary Master’s study programs (minor only) are programs that aren’t linked to a specific Bachelor’s study program.  They are structured as a subject-specific or cross-disciplinary complement to a major study program; the only formal admission requirement is a Bachelor’s degree.

Key considerations:

• Do you want to specialize in another field, or would you like to deepen your knowledge in your current branch of study?
• Do you want to keep studying without a break or do you want to gain work experience first?
• Have you already gained initial experience in professions that interest you and is this why you want to develop and hone your profile?

Tips:

• When choosing a Master’s degree, take the opportunity to re-examine your interests and skills. Broaden your perspective and re-evaluate the various offerings and options. Consider the possibility of completing your Master’s program at another university – whether in Switzerland or abroad.
• When choosing a Master’s program, pay special attention to your future career plans. Contact the Career Services team at an early stage to discuss your professional plans and career entry.Career Services

Have you already got one or more favorite subjects and you can’t decide? Do you need more details and further information on one or more study programs? Or would you like to find out for yourself what it’s like to study on one of the academic programs? UZH offers various guidance and advisory services to help you make sure you’ve chosen the right study program for you. You’ll find an overview of the options on the page “Advice and Services on Choosing What to Study”:

Advice and Services on Choosing What to Study

We recommend you plan the key aspects of your studies before you apply.  You’ll find information and tips under “Planning Your Studies”:

Planning Your Studies: Finances
Planning Your Studies: Search for Accommodation
Planning Your Studies: Part-Time Studies
Planning Your Studies: Studies and Family Life
Planning Your Studies: Studying with a Disability or Impairment

To sign up for a study program, you need to complete an online application. You’ll find all the details on the application procedure, application deadlines and fees under “Application and Admission”. Study programs generally start in the Fall Semester, but a start in the Spring Semester may be possible for individual study programs.

Application and Admission: The Application Process in Seven Steps
Application and Admission: Application Deadlines
Application and Admission: Fees and Contributions