Foreign language applicants for a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or teaching diploma program must prove that they have a sufficient command of the main language of instruction of the study program in which they wish to enroll.
Proof of proficiency at the C1 or a higher level in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) must be submitted for the respective main language of instruction.
Foreign language applicants are those whose first or primary language is different from the main language of instruction of the study program in which they wish to enroll.
The first or primary language refers to the language a person uses with the highest level of competency and without difficulties when writing, speaking, and understanding written and spoken language. This corresponds to the C2 or a higher level in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
What is the Main Language of Instruction?
The main language of instruction is the language in which the program is primarily taught. The main languages of instruction at the University of Zurich are German for Bachelor's and Teaching Diploma programs, and English, French, Italian and Spanish for Master's programs. Below you will find more information about the main language of instruction of the various study programs.
Many study programs also offer modules that are taught in other languages. For example, the main language of instruction of all Bachelor’s programs is German, but many Bachelor’s programs at the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics also have modules in English. For more information, please refer to the overview of degree and study programs and the course catalogue.
When Does the Language Certificate Need to Be Submitted?
A language certificate that the University of Zurich recognizes must be submitted at the latest before matriculation. We recommend submitting it with the application already, if it is available.
Who Is Exempt from Having to Prove Language Proficiency?
All subjects of the teaching degree program.
All Master’s study programs of the Faculty of Medicine, the Vetsuisse Faculty, and the Faculty of Theology.
The Master's study programs at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with German as the main language of instruction are specified in the list of Master's study programs and main languages of instruction at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (PDF, 25 KB).
At the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics: All Master’s study programs in business administration.
At the Faculty of Law: All Master’s study programs except the Master of Law double degree programs in English that are listed below.
Master of Law UZH double degree (general studies), Master of Law UZH double degree (European and international law) and Master of Law UZH double degree (international business law).
All Master’s study programs of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, except business administration.
All Master’s study programs of the Faculty of Science.
The Master's study programs at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with English as the main language of instruction are specified in the list of Master's study programs and main languages of instruction at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (PDF, 25 KB).
* We must receive the TOEFL test results directly from ETS (institution code: 0348).
The Master's study programs with French, Italian or Spanish as the main language of instruction are specified in the list of Master's study programs and main languages of instruction at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (PDF, 25 KB).