Basic Principles

This is the first academic level in the Swiss higher education system. Bachelor’s degrees at UZH comprise 180 ECTS credits. A Bachelor’s program provides a basic academic education in the chosen field of study. Depending on the program, you will earn a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Law, a Bachelor of Theology, a Bachelor of Human Medicine, a Bachelor of Dentistry or a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine.  

This is the second academic level in the Swiss higher education system. Master’s degrees at UZH comprise 90, 120 or 180 ECTS credits. A Master’s program generally builds on the Bachelor’s degree to provide a more in-depth and specialized education. Depending on the program, you will earn a Master of Arts, a Master of Science, a Master of Law, a Master of Theology, a Master of Human Medicine, a Master of Dentistry or a Master of Veterinary Medicine.

A degree program may consist of a single study program (single major) or a combination of a major (main) subject with a minor subject.

Single Major Study Program   

In a single major study program, only one subject is studied. A single major Bachelor’s degree comprises 180 ECTS credits and a Master’s 120 ECTS credits.  

Major Study Program  

In a combined program, the major subject generally makes up at least two thirds of the course load. This means 120 or 150 out of a total 180 ECTS credits at Bachelor’s level, and 90 out of a total 120 ECTS credits at Master’s level. Students are affiliated to the faculty at which their major subject is offered.

Minor Study Program  

The minor subject comprises 30 or 60 ECTS credits at Bachelor’s level and 30 ECTS credits at Master’s level. The degree program regulations specify which major and minor combinations are possible. Depending on the degree program, the minor subject may be chosen from within the same faculty as the major or from a different faculty. The minor program is designated as such in the diploma certificate, diploma supplement and academic record. 

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 at Bachelor’s level:

• 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

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).

Students are affiliated to the faculty at which their major subject is offered. You can see which subjects you can combine your major with on the website for each study program. Here you will also find the direct contact persons for questions about the study program.

Bachelor’s Study Programs
Master’s Study Programs​​​​​​​