Zurich University of the Arts
Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is a Swiss state university offering Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, and continuing-education programs across nine art disciplines from a single Zürich campus, funded by Canton Zurich, federal subsidies, and tuition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Zurich University of the Arts does
Zurich University of the Arts (Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, ZHdK) is a Swiss state university under the jurisdiction of Canton Zurich, offering higher education and research across nine disciplines: Art Education, Cultural Critique, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theater, and Transdisciplinarity. Founded in 2007 through the merger of the Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst (HGK) and the Hochschule für Musik, ZHdK holds institutional accreditation as a University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschule) with its own legal personality. It is self-described as one of Europe's large art universities, anchored at the Toni-Areal campus in Zürich and supported by partner venues including Museum für Gestaltung, Kino Toni, Musikklub Mehrspur, and Theater der Künste.
The academic portfolio spans Pre-College preparatory programs, Bachelor (180 ECTS: 150 Major / 30 Minor), Master (120 ECTS: 90 Major / 30 Minor), PhD programs (including PhD in Art:ificial Studies on AI in art), and continuing education offerings (CAS, DAS, MAS). The Major-Minor study model provides 150+ secondary specializations, with bilingual German/English instruction in Fine Arts. ZHdK operates a modern IT backbone through its Informationstechnologie-Zentrum (ITZ) and distributes roughly 600 public events annually.
The business model is a publicly funded, tuition-subsidized higher-education stack. Revenue sources are (a) cantonal and federal subsidies as a Swiss Fachhochschule, (b) tuition fees of CHF 720/semester (Swiss residents) and CHF 1,220/semester (international), plus CHF 100 admission and CHF 200 examination fees, and (c) ancillary continuing-education and exchange revenue. Customer segments include prospective degree students, continuing-education professionals, international exchange students, and doctoral researchers; distribution is conducted via an online admissions portal (ONLA), the Toni-Areal campus, and partner mobility networks.
Zurich University of the Arts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zurich University of the Arts
- Legal name
- Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
- Website
- https://zhdk.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is a Swiss state university offering Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, and continuing-education programs across nine art disciplines from a single Zürich campus, funded by Canton Zurich, federal subsidies, and tuition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zurich University of the Arts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education - Arts and Design
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fine Arts Colleges (Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking) (EDAHAJAA)
Keywords
Where Zurich University of the Arts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Zurich University of the Arts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees: The university charges tuition fees per semester. Swiss residents pay CHF 720 per semester while non-Swiss students pay CHF 1,220 per semester. Additional fees include registration fees (CHF 100) and examination fees (CHF 200 for second-stage aptitude assessment).
- Public Funding: As a state university with its own legal personality and institutional accreditation, ZHdK receives government funding as a Swiss University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschule).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Swiss/Non-Swiss Student Tuition |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Zurich University of the Arts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is a Swiss state university delivering higher education programs (Bachelor, Master, PhD) and continuing education across nine artistic disciplines: Art Education, Cultural Critique, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theater, and Transdisciplinarity. Programs follow a Major-Minor study model where students combine a primary specialization with secondary minors, taught bilingually in German and English. The university also operates pre-college preparatory programs and produces roughly 600 public events annually.
Product overview
Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is one of Europe's large art universities offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs across nine discipline areas: Art Education, Cultural Critique, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theater, and Transdisziplinarität. The institution operates a Major-Minor study model where students select a primary specialization (Major) supplemented by optional secondary specializations (Minors), providing highly individualized educational pathways. Programs span from pre-college preparatory courses through Bachelor, Master, and PhD levels, with continuing education options. ZHdK is a state university with its own legal personality and institutional accreditation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ZHdK Fine Arts Program
Companies that use Zurich University of the Arts
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Zurich University of the Arts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Zurich University of the Arts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Museum für GestaltungcoreMuseum für Gestaltung serves as a key partner venue for student exhibitions and is physically connected to the Toni-Areal campus. The partnership provides exhibition space for design students and connects the university with Zurich's design community.
- Kulturversand der Stadt ZürichminorThe Kulturversand (Culture Mail) of the City of Zurich distributes printed event collections from ZHdK three times per year via postal subscription.
- Partner Universities (International Exchange)coreZHdK maintains exchange partnerships with universities worldwide, enabling student and staff mobility. In 2023, 70 incoming exchange students and 86 outgoing ZHdK students participated in exchange programs.
- Shared Campus NetworkcoreShared Campus is an international network initiative where arts universities collaborate on joint projects and mobility programs, promoting cross-border cooperation in arts and design education.
- Zentrum für Kunst und Friedensförderung ZKFminorCenter for Art and Peace Promotion focusing on arts-based peace building initiatives and international cooperation in artistic practice.
- Kino TonicoreCinema located in the Toni-Areal building used for film screenings, student film presentations, and as a teaching space for film department students.
- Musikklub MehrspurcoreMusic club operated in connection with ZHdK providing performance space for music students and serving as an interface between academic training and professional music scene.
- Netzhdk (Alumni Organization)minorNetzhdk is the official alumni organization of ZHdK, maintaining connections between graduates and the university community, providing networking opportunities and continued engagement with alumni.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Zurich University of the Arts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Royal College of Art: London-based postgraduate university of art and design consistently ranked among the world's top art schools. Closest international peer to ZHdK in terms of comprehensive program scope (design, fine arts, film, humanities) and aspiration to top-tier global brand status.
- Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design: Sweden's largest university of arts, crafts and design, offering programs across design, fine art, and craft disciplines. Similar in mission and scale to ZHdK, with comparable public-university funding model.
- Design Academy Eindhoven: Renowned Dutch design school operating as a public university of applied sciences. Comparable to ZHdK's Design department in mission and European public-university positioning.
- Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK): One of the largest and most diverse German-speaking arts universities, with four colleges covering fine arts, design, music, and performing arts. Nearest direct equivalent to ZHdK in scale, language, and disciplinary breadth.
- Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London): Premier UK arts and design college within UAL, offering programs across art, design, fashion, and performance. Comparable comprehensive scope and a global benchmark for arts education.
- Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture: Nordic university school combining art, design, architecture, and media. Comparable comprehensive scope and similar positioning as a publicly funded European arts institution with research ambitions.
- KASK School of Arts Ghent: Belgian school of arts in Ghent offering programs in audiovisual arts, drama, music, and visual arts. Comparable comprehensive European public arts school with similar disciplinary breadth.
- ENSAD Paris (École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs): French national public art and design school with programs across design, art, and applied arts. Peer institution in continental European public arts education.
Regional players
- HEAD Genève (Haute école d'art et de design): Geneva-based Swiss arts and design school (HES-SO). Domestic Swiss peer competing with ZHdK for French-speaking and international applicants in art and design.
- ECAL (École cantonale d'art de Lausanne): Lausanne-based Swiss art and design school internationally recognized for design. Direct domestic competitor for design and visual arts applicants in the Swiss market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zurich University of the Arts social profiles
Digital presenceZurich University of the Arts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zurich University of the Arts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Zurich University of the Arts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zurich University of the Arts M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zurich University of the Arts
What does Zurich University of the Arts do?
Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is a Swiss state university delivering higher education programs (Bachelor, Master, PhD) and continuing education across nine artistic disciplines: Art Education, Cultural Critique, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theater, and Transdisciplinarity. Programs follow a Major-Minor study model where students combine a primary specialization with secondary minors, taught bilingually in German and English. The university also operates pre-college preparatory programs and produces roughly 600 public events annually.
Is Zurich University of the Arts a public or private company?
Zurich University of the Arts is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Zurich University of the Arts founded?
Zurich University of the Arts was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Zurich University of the Arts based?
Zurich University of the Arts is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Zurich University of the Arts make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are public Funding.
Who are Zurich University of the Arts's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Royal College of Art, Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Design Academy Eindhoven, Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK), Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London), Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, KASK School of Arts Ghent and ENSAD Paris (École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs). Regional players are HEAD Genève (Haute école d'art et de design) and ECAL (École cantonale d'art de Lausanne).
Does Zurich University of the Arts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zurich University of the Arts.
What industry is Zurich University of the Arts in?
Zurich University of the Arts's product category is Higher Education - Arts and Design. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAJAB, Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior), with a secondary code of EDAHAJAA, Fine Arts Colleges (Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.