Basic Principles

The University of Zurich prioritizes in-person instruction, face-to-face exchanges and collaborative learning. In addition, selected courses are recorded. In many modules, however, in-person student participation is a key component of assessment. The study program “Religious Studies and Theology” is an exception, as it is offered entirely online. 

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. 

This is the second academic level in the Swiss higher education system. Master’s degrees at UZH comprise 90, 120 or 180 ECTS credits*. UZH offers three types of Master’s study programs: consecutive Master’s study programs (building on and providing greater depth in the preceding Bachelor’s studies), specialized Master’s study programs (with a specialized or interdisciplinary focus), and complementary Master’s study programs (supplementary programs that require no prior subject-specific knowledge and are offered as minors only). For more information on admission requirements, please see our guide on choosing what to study:
How do you choose a Master’s study program?

ECTS credits are awarded according to how much work is required of students to complete a module (class time, lectures, practical courses, writing papers, semester exams, self-study, etc.). Each module has a set number of ECTS credits which are awarded upon successful completion of the module. One ECTS credit is equivalent to roughly 30 hours of work. In a full-time study program, an average of 30 ECTS credits need to be earned per semester.

UZH is made up of seven teaching, research and administrative units that are known as faculties. Each faculty consists of a number of departments, institutes or clinics that are responsible for the courses in the various study programs. Students are affiliated with the faculty at which their (single) major study program subject is offered.

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 (known in German as Mono-Studienprogramm), only one subject is studied. A single major Bachelor’s degree comprises 180 ECTS credits and a Master’s 90, 120, 150 or 180 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, 150 or 180 ECTS credits at Master’s level. The major study program determines a student’s faculty affiliation and which major and minor combinations are possible.

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 study program regulations specify which major and minor combinations are possible. The minor can generally also be taken at a different faculty.

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 single major or major-minor combination of 120 plus 60 ECTS
• Faculty of Law: 180 ECTS single major (and 60/30 ETCS minor for students from other faculties)
• Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics: Major-minor combination of 150 plus 30 ECTS or 120 plus 60 ECTS (the latter only for informatics with natural sciences)
• Faculty of Medicine: 180 ECTS single major 
• Vetsuisse Faculty: 180 ECTS single major 
• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: Major-minor combination of 120 plus 60 ECTS
• Faculty of Science: 180 ECTS single major and major-minor combination of 120 plus 60 ECTS or 150 plus 30 ECTS

At Master’s level, there are study programs of 90, 120, 150 and 180 ECTS credits:

• Faculty of Theology and the Study of Religion: 120 ECTS single major or 90/30 ECTS major-minor combination
• Faculty of Law: 90 ECTS single major or 90/30 ECTS major-minor combination
• Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics: 90 ECTS or 90/30 ECTS major-minor combination (limited choice in faculty-external minor study programs)
• Faculty of Medicine: 180 ECTS single major (human and chiropractic medicine) or 120 ECTS single major (dentistry)
• Vetsuisse Faculty: 150 ECTS single major
• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: 120 ECTS single major, 90/30 ECTS major-minor combination or 90 ECTS single major for joint-degree subject-specific teaching study programs
• Faculty of Science: 120 ECTS single major, 90 ECTS single major or 90/30 ECTS major-minor combination

The study program regulations specify which major and minor combinations are possible. Students are affiliated with the faculty at which their major subject is offered. Contacts for specific questions about your study program can be found on the website of the respective study program.

Bachelor’s Study Programs (overview and search function)
Master’s Study Programs​​​​​​​ (overview and search function)