Bachelor's Degree
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of the University of Zurich is the biggest faculty of humanities, cultural studies, social sciences and psychology in Switzerland. Its course offering consists of carefully designed programs with a wide range of possible combinations. Bachelor's study programs equip you with a basic academic education and the ability to apply scholarly methodology. A Bachelor’s degree enables you to continue with a Master’s or embark directly on a career.
Bachelor’s degree programs, titles and degrees
A Bachelor’s study program at the Faculty of Arts is worth 180 ECTS credits. You will do a major study program earning 120 ECTS credits and a minor study program earning 60 ECTS credits. This corresponds to six semesters of full-time study (regular duration of study).
Study programs that have too many similarities may not be combined. You will find details of combinations that are not permitted in the annex to the relevant program regulation.
The title you earn on successful completion of a Bachelor’s study program depends on your major:
- Bachelor of Arts UZH, BA UZH (for a major in humanities or cultural studies)
- Bachelor of Arts UZH in Social Sciences, BA UZH (for a major in social sciences)
- Bachelor of Science UZH in Psychology, BSc UZH (for a major in psychology)
Bachelor of Arts in European Studies (BAES)
The Bachelor of Arts in European Studies is an international, multidisciplinary joint degree within the UNA Europa alliance, with a strong focus on student mobility. The University of Zurich participates in this program as a mobility partner. The program comprises 180 ECTS credits. You will study at multiple universities and choose a major within a selected specialization.
You begin your studies at one of the degree-awarding universities (Leuven, Krakow, Madrid, or Bologna) with a shared curriculum. Afterwards, you continue your studies at a mobility partner, such as the University of Zurich, where you pursue your major. In the final year, you return to your starting university to complete your studies with a minor and your Bachelor’s thesis.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the University of Zurich offer the following majors within the BAES. These can generally be completed in English. The major Modern History requires German language proficiency at level B2.
Political Science
The major in Political Science provides a comprehensive introduction to the core areas of the discipline, including international relations, European politics, governance, and sustainability. Your are encouraged to connect theoretical approaches with empirical analyses and to critically engage with political questions. At the same time, they systematically develop methodological and analytical skills and learn to apply key theoretical frameworks to concrete case studies.
Philosophy
The major in Philosophy offers knowledge of the history of philosophy and introduces students to central areas of contemporary philosophy. Your are able to set your own thematic focus and develop skills in self-organization and critical reflection. The aim is to enable you to formulate independent philosophical questions and to understand current philosophical debates.
Modern History
The major in Modern History covers foundational knowledge of recent history and offers a broad range of topics related to modern societies. You learn to formulate your own historical research questions and to conduct systematic research. In addition, your develop analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex content both in writing and orally.
Languages and Literature
This interdisciplinary major offers a comprehensive engagement with languages and literary traditions from Europe and beyond. It provides solid knowledge in linguistics, philology, cognition, as well as popular media and literary and cultural theory. The goal is to establish a strong methodological and theoretical foundation for analyzing language structures and literary history.
Culture and Society
This interdisciplinary major explores the diversity and interconnectedness of cultures and societies worldwide. Your acquire core concepts and methods from the social sciences and cultural studies, engaging with topics such as religion, social and cultural theory, and contemporary global perspectives. The focus lies on developing cultural awareness and analytical skills.
International and Comparative Law
The major in International and Comparative Law provides a broad legal education with a focus on European, international, and comparative law. You learn to apply legal norms and develop a deep understanding of their structures and effects. The program also promotes critical thinking, key academic and professional skills, and a nuanced understanding of how law shapes societies and the responsibilities associated with it. This major is offered by the Faculty of Law.
Detailed information on application procedures, program content, and structure can be found on the websites of KU Leuven and the UNA Europa alliance.
Minors for students of other faculties
At Bachelor’s level the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers students in other faculties minors worth 30 ECTS credits. They are designed to give an insight into select topics and enable students to choose their own area of focus. You can choose the following study programs:
- Digital Humanities and Text Mining
- Ethics
- History, Society, Politics
- Cultural Contexts
The legal basis for the minor study programs comprises the Framework ordinance governing study in the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs offered by the University of Zurich's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (of 27 August 2018) and Part G of the Program Regulation: Minor Study Programs for Faculty-External UZH Students (PDF, 262 KB).
You have a free choice of modules within your chosen minor program. Please note the following points:
- The graded module component must amount to at least 9 ECTS credits;
- Certain modules require special knowledge and skills;
- Various periods apply for booking and canceling modules at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Make sure you're properly informed about the relevant deadlines.
- Only modules listed in the course catalogue for the respective programme can be counted towards the degree.
Bachelor's study programs
|
Study programs |
120 Major | 60 Minor |
|---|---|---|
|
Ancient Studies |
Minor | |
|
Archaeologies |
Major | Minor |
|
Art History |
Major | Minor |
|
Communication Science and Media Research |
Major | Minor |
|
Comparative Germanic Linguistics |
Minor | |
|
Comparative Linguistics |
Major | Minor |
|
Comparative Romance Linguistics |
Major | Minor |
|
Computational Linguistics and Language |
Major | Minor |
|
East Asian Art History |
Minor | |
|
Eastern European Studies |
Major | |
|
Educational Science |
Major | Minor |
|
Educational Science and Psychology |
Major | |
|
English Literature and Linguistics |
Major | Minor |
|
Film Studies |
Major | Minor |
|
French Literature and Linguistics |
Major | Minor |
|
General and Comparative Literature |
Minor | |
|
German Literature and Linguistics |
Major | Minor |
|
Greek Philology |
Major | Minor |
|
History |
Major | Minor |
|
Ibero-Romance Literatures and |
Major | Minor |
|
Indian Studies |
Major | Minor |
|
Interdisciplinary Archaeological |
Minor | |
|
Italian Literature and Linguistics |
Major | Minor |
|
Japanese Studies |
Major | Minor |
|
Latin Philology |
Major | Minor |
|
Modern History |
Minor | |
|
Musicology |
Major | Minor |
|
Near and Middle Eastern Studies |
Major | Minor |
|
Philosophy |
Major | Minor |
|
Political Science |
Major | Minor |
|
Popular Culture Studies |
Major | Minor |
|
Psychology |
Major | |
|
Romansh Literature and Linguistics |
Minor | |
|
Scandinavian Studies |
Major | Minor |
|
Sinology |
Major | Minor |
|
Slavonic Literatures and Linguistics |
Major | Minor |
|
Social Anthropology |
Major | Minor |
|
Sociology |
Major | Minor |
Responsible offices
Student Services can answer your questions about Bachelor's admission and your studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
TheStudent Administration Office is responsible for the application process and for the admission to Bachelor's degree programs with a Swiss educational background.
TheAdmissions Office accepts your questions regarding the application process and admission to Bachelor's degree programs with a foreign educational background.
The BAES Coordination handles organizational and administrative matters related to the Bachelor of Arts in European Studies.