The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) is a public university of applied sciences with locations in Winterthur, Zurich and Wädenswil.[1] Its 2025 annual report counts 14,995 Bachelor’s and Master’s students and 3,729 employees, across 34 Bachelor’s and 20 Master’s degree programmes.[1][2]
Tuition is CHF 720 per semester, plus an additional CHF 500 per semester for non-Swiss nationals who come to Switzerland to study, so CHF 1,220 per semester in total (our addition).[3] German-language programmes ask for C1 German; English-language programmes ask for B2 English.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW) |
| Location | Winterthur, with locations in Zurich and Wädenswil (registrar’s office: Gertrudstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur)[5] |
| Type | University of applied sciences, described by Wikipedia as a public university[6]; Bachelor’s admission needs a baccalaureate plus practical experience[4] |
| Founded | September 2007, by merging previously independent institutions (the Winterthur and Wädenswil universities of applied sciences and the schools of social work and applied psychology in Zurich); roots in the Technikum Winterthur of 1874[6] |
| Students | 14,995 Bachelor’s and Master’s students (2025 annual report)[2] |
| Employees | 3,729 (2025 annual report)[1] |
| Schools | Eight: Applied Linguistics; Applied Psychology; Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering; Health Sciences; Life Sciences and Facility Management; Engineering; Management and Law; Social Work[7] |
| Programmes | 34 Bachelor’s and 20 Master’s degree programmes; 70 continuing-education Master’s programmes (MBA, MAS)[1] |
| Overall world ranking | Not confirmed. We found no QS World University Rankings 2027 position in the sources we read. |
| Tuition per semester | CHF 720 for Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes (full-time and part-time)[3] |
| Additional fee, non-Swiss residents | CHF 500 per semester for the whole course of study[8] |
| Language of study | German-language programmes: C1 German; English-language programmes: B2 English[4] |
| Official website | zhaw.ch |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About the Zurich University of Applied Sciences
ZHAW was formed in September 2007 when several previously independent institutions merged: the universities of applied sciences of Winterthur and Wädenswil, and the schools of social work and applied psychology in Zurich.[6] Its predecessors include the Technikum Winterthur, founded in 1874 as an engineering school.[6] It is one of four universities in the Zürcher Fachhochschule.[6]
The university has eight schools and three locations (Winterthur, Zurich, Wädenswil).[1][7] The 2025 annual report gives a cost volume of CHF 597 million and around 11,000 participants in continuing education.[1]
How is ZHAW ranked?
We could not confirm a position for ZHAW in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and none of the ZHAW or Wikipedia pages we read lists a ranking. We therefore show no rank; the earlier table entry “Not ranked individually” is not something we could source either.
Rankings differ by publisher and year. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at ZHAW?
ZHAW offers 34 Bachelor’s and 20 Master’s degree programmes, 70 continuing-education Master’s programmes (MBA, MAS) and 392 diploma and certificate courses (DAS, CAS).[1] Subjects are grouped in eight schools:[7]
- Applied Linguistics
- Applied Psychology
- Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Life Sciences and Facility Management
- Engineering
- Management and Law
- Social Work
The study overview page does not say which programmes are taught in English; check the programme page.[7]
How much does ZHAW cost per semester?
| Item | Amount (CHF) | When |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, Bachelor’s and Master’s | 720 | per semester |
| Additional fee, non-Swiss residents | 500 | per semester |
| Registration for the admission process | 100 | once |
| Enrolment fee | 100 | once |
| ASVZ sports membership | 35 | per semester |
| ZHAW Students Association (Alias) membership | 25 | per semester |
The fee pages of the School of Management and Law list these amounts for Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. They carry no date.[3][8] The additional CHF 500 is paid by non-Swiss nationals who come to Switzerland to study, for the entire duration of their studies, even if they later move their official residence to Switzerland.[3] For such students the tuition is CHF 1,220 per semester, or CHF 2,440 for two semesters (our calculation); the ASVZ and Alias memberships are listed separately and the pages do not say who must pay them.[8]
Other costs
- Entrance exam for universities of applied sciences: CHF 200, only if you have no federally recognised baccalaureate.[3]
- Software use in Bachelor’s programmes: CHF 30 per semester; books and module-specific tool licences: about CHF 750 per semester.[3]
- Students on leave pay a fixed CHF 300 per semester.[8]
- The registration fee of CHF 100 is payable even if you are not admitted and is waived if you pass and enrol for the next start date.[4]
For living costs, see our Switzerland guide and the Study in Switzerland guide. The earlier table entry of CHF 1,440 does not match the CHF 720 + CHF 500 fees we found.
How do you apply to ZHAW?
Applications go through ZHAW’s online application system.[4]
- Bachelor’s: a Swiss baccalaureate (vocational, specialised or general) or an equivalent foreign qualification, and at least one year of practical experience before you start (with the exceptions above). Health Professions, Social Work, Applied Linguistics and Psychology also require an aptitude assessment.[4]
- Master’s: a Bachelor’s degree that gives the background for your chosen programme, and an admission process that tests your aptitude. Specific requirements are in the study regulations (German only).[4]
- Foreign qualifications are assessed for equivalency. Documents include a CV, your school-leaving certificate with the subjects and grades of the last three years of upper secondary school, transcripts, and translations into German or English.[4]
Non-Swiss students must apply for a residence permit and arrange health insurance themselves before starting.[4] We give no deadlines here because they change each year; check the programme page.
Which language level do you need?
For German-language programmes ZHAW requires evidence of C1 German with the application; some programmes also want a C1 certificate by the start of matriculation. For English-language programmes all applicants need an English certificate at B2 instead of German evidence.[4] (CEFR is the European scale from A1 to C2; C1 is advanced.) Which programmes are taught in English is shown on each programme page, not on the pages we read.[7]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are ZHAW tuition fees for international students?
What language level do I need for ZHAW?
C1 German for German-language programmes, B2 English for English-language programmes.[4]
Do I need work experience to study at ZHAW?
For a Bachelor’s you need at least one year of practical experience before you begin, or a related traineeship. Health professions are exempt, and Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Engineering students may gain it during or after their studies.[4]
How many students does ZHAW have?
More about studying in Switzerland
- Switzerland: best universities
- Study in Switzerland: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Switzerland
- Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
- EPFL
- ETH Zurich
- FHNW
- Franklin Switzerland
- Geneva Graduate Institute
- HES-SO
- IMD Business School
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)
- University of Basel
- University of Bern
- University of Fribourg
- University of Geneva
- University of Lausanne
- University of Lucerne
- University of Neuchâtel
- University of St.Gallen (HSG)
- University of Zurich
- Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
Sources
[1] ZHAW: The ZHAW at a glance (page without a date; figures from the 2025 annual report)
[2] ZHAW: Annual report (page without a date; lists the 2025 report)
[3] ZHAW School of Management and Law: Bachelor’s fees (page without a date)
[4] ZHAW: Important information before your studies (admission, language, residence) (page without a date)
[5] ZHAW: University (registrar’s office contact) (page without a date; address of the registrar’s office)
[6] Wikipedia: Zurich University of Applied Sciences (history, merger and type; the article’s student figure (23,926, 2020) differs strongly from ZHAW’s own 2025 count)
[7] ZHAW: Study at ZHAW (page without a date)
[8] ZHAW School of Management and Law: Master’s fees (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.