ZHAW is one of Switzerland's leading universities of applied sciences with a strong focus on practical education and application-oriented research. With campuses in Winterthur, Zurich, and Wädenswil, it offers a diverse range of study and continuing education programs in numerous disciplines.
Welcome to ZHAW! As rector, it is important to me that they contribute both their application-oriented and their scientific expertise to teaching, research, continuing education and services. Their students, business partners, customers and employees all benefit equally from this
Their university is one of the leading universities of applied sciences in Switzerland. In research and development, the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) focuses on key societal challenges, with an emphasis on energy and social integration. With campuses in Winterthur, Zurich, and Wädenswil, the ZHAW is firmly rooted in the region and collaborates with international partners. The university comprises eight departments: Applied Linguistics, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering, Health, Life Sciences and Facility Management, School of Engineering, School of Management and Law, and Social Work.
| Acronym | ZHAW |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Undergraduate Programmes | |
| Postgraduate Programmes | 20 |
| Location | Winterthur, Zürich, Switzerland |
| Address | ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Gertrudstrasse 15 CH-8401 Winterthur Switzerland |
The ZHAW acts as a bridge between science, business, and society. Its mission is to provide research-based education and foster the independent, cooperative development of knowledge. It is highly committed to sustainability, diversity, and equipping graduates with both the practical skills and the critical thinking necessary to succeed in a complex, globalized world.
The ZHAW envisions itself as an innovative, entrepreneurial university that is deeply rooted in the Zurich region yet globally connected. It aims to be a primary catalyst for cultural, ecological, and economic advancement by addressing major societal challenges—such as digital transformation and energy transition—through science and innovation.
ZHAW combines academic learning with real-world application. Many programmes include industry projects, internships, laboratory work, and collaboration with businesses, helping students gain job-ready skills.
The university works closely with companies, public organizations, and research institutions. These partnerships provide networking opportunities, internships, and pathways to employment after graduation.
Many master's programmes are taught in English, making ZHAW accessible to students from different countries while offering the chance to experience Swiss culture and learn German.
Switzerland is known for its high quality of life, safety, excellent public transportation, strong economy, and opportunities in industries such as finance, engineering, healthcare, hospitality, and technology.
If you have gained a foreign qualification either abroad or in Switzerland which allows you access to higher education (e.g. A Levels, Abitur or International Baccalaureate), your qualification will be assessed for equivalency. Please provide the following documents via the online application system when submitting your application:
For degree certificates awarded under British law, the basic principle is that the applicant must be able to demonstrate that they have completed the A Levels required for admission to the ZHAW, i.e. three A Levels with the minimum grades B/B/C, by the time they enrol online for their studies. In addition, the A Levels should cover three out of four subject areas as per the subject requirement (see Guidelines on Admission to Bachelor’s Degree Programmes, section 4.1.2). If this is not the case, an entrance exam must be passed to establish the equivalency of the school-leaving certificate.
This equivalency recognition process follows the Guidelines on Admission to Bachelor’s Degree Programmes and takes place after your application has been submitted. Please note that you will not be able to enrol if you do not submit your documents by the deadline. If you have any further questions, please contact the academic office responsible for the degree programme you have chosen.
Additional information for applicants from abroad
Specific regulations on admission to individual degree programmes
General recommendations for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Switzerland
Use the application portal to apply online for a place at the ZHAW. You will be guided through the application, admission and enrolment process.
Email: [email protected]
Phone : +41 (0)58 934 71 71
Regula Jöhl completed her studies in biotechnology at ETH Zurich in 1992 and received her doctorate in microbiology from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel in 1996. She has worked in various roles i... read more
Department of Applied Linguistics: Director of the Department of Applied Linguistics
The former Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur was itself made up out of schools with long histories: the Technikum Winterthur was founded in 1874 as Switzerland's largest engineering school, and the Höhere Wirtschafts- und Verwaltungsschule was established in 1968.... read more The former Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur (ZHAW) was formed in 1998 from the merger of the Winterthur Technical College (Engineering School) (TWI) and the Zurich Higher School of Economics and Administration (HWV) Winterthur . Since the beginning of 2000, the Zurich Interpreting School (DOZ) has also been part of the ZHAW , and since 2006, the new Health Sciences division has been added. At the beginning of 2012, the previously private Zurich University of Applied Sciences (HSZ-T) was nationalized and integrated into the ZHAW. The three predecessor schools of the ZHW look back on a rich tradition:/Zurich_University_of_Applied_Sciences/ZHAW#cite_note-6">[6] Both schools were the first of their kind in Switzerland.