General study information
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Semester dates
| Winter lecture-free period | Weeks 52 to 7 |
|---|---|
| Spring semester | Weeks 8 to 22 (usually end of February to beginning of June) interrupted by a one-week break in the week following Easter. Lessons do not start until Week 9 for students undertaking the quarterly teaching placement, with no Easter holidays |
| Summer lecture-free period | Weeks 23 to 37 |
| Autumn semester | Weeks 38 to 51 (usually mid-September to mid-December) |
The academic year is divided into two semesters. Compulsory courses of instruction regularly take place each semester (during the teaching period; these include lectures, seminars, etc. as shown in the timetable).
In addition, there are lecture-free periods with individually required courses of instruction such as internships, study weeks and sometimes language stays abroad. All students get between three and seven weeks of holiday; individual programmes of study may have additional weeks that do not require mandatory attendance at courses of instruction.
Semester dates and teaching timesLanguage of instruction
The language of instruction for all study programmes at PH Zurich is German. Only certain individual modules are taught in other languages.
Study fees
| Fee | CHF |
|---|---|
| Semester fees | 720 |
|
Fixed semester fee for membership in the Academic Sports Association Zurich (ASVZ) |
35 |
| Contribution to the Student Association (Verband der Studierenden) | 10 |
| Contribution to the association to provide financial support for students (optional) | 5 |
The semester fees apply to the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes (except the MAS), as well as to secondary II education and vocational training programmes for full-time teachers.
Different conditions may apply in other situations (e.g. change of level, additional study programmes, crediting of international teaching qualifications, vocational training in a secondary profession).
For the purpose of determining which canton will pay the study fees, international students must complete the personal information sheet (as required for all students). This must be handed in together with a copy of the residence permit (Ausländerausweis) to the Central Students’ Office no later than four weeks before the start of the study programme; if it cannot be submitted before the start of the course, the student will be enrolled provisionally. Students from non-EU countries must provide their entry visa as well as the decision issued by the Immigration Office at least four weeks before the start of their studies.
- International students residing in the Canton of Zurich:
students are treated as students from this canton. - International students residing in other Swiss cantons:
the personal information sheet stipulates that other Swiss cantons are not required to pay the study fees; an enquiry to the respective canton is recommended. - International students residing abroad:
International students who reside outside of Switzerland under civil law must pay additional semester fees of CHF 500 per semester. The fees are invoiced each semester of studies. Staying for educational and/or study purposes does not give you the right to reside in Switzerland under civil law (Art. 25(1) of the Swiss Civil Code, ZGB) (see remark on residence permit). - Students from the Principality of Liechtenstein:
the same provisions apply as for Swiss cantons other than Zurich.