|
|
|
|
|
| Greetings from ZHAW School of Engineering, Switzerland! |
Dear Collaborators and Friends,
15 years in a row! This is how often Switzerland has been ranked as the most innovative economy in the world by the World Intellectual Property Organization.
From 2010-2025, and it’s easy to see why:
Comparatively large R&D investments by the government and a skilled workforce keep new ideas and innovation floating. The renowned Swiss dual education system sends 75% of all 16-year-olds into hands-on vocational training, with routes to universities of applied sciences to top-up their practical experiences with academic knowledge. Solid IP rules and very strong public-private partnerships help ideas become real products and go to market. And a stable and balanced political system boosts investments.
At ZHAW School of Engineering, our scientists conduct roughly 550 research projects, more than 80% in collaboration with partners to solve real-world problems. Lecturers are only employed if they can prove experiences in industry, and students conduct small research projects in every semester. This is also what incoming students report back: the excitement and satisfaction of having contributed to solve real problems for real customers.
We are ready and prepared to welcome the next batch of incoming students for fall 2026.
Kind regards from the International Office,
ZHAW School of Engineering
Patricia, Jeannine, Claudia, Livia, Prisca and Sandra
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nomination for Autumn Semester 2026 |
| We are pleased and prepared to accept your nominations for all exchange programmes for the spring semester 2026. |
|
Nomination deadline:
| |
March 15th, 2026
|
|
Application deadline:
| |
April 1st, 2026
|
|
Nomination for European Partners:
| |
|
|
Nomination for non-European Partners:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange period Bachelor:
| |
September 14th, 2026 - January 23rd, 2027
|
|
Exchange period Master:
| |
September 14th, 2026 - February 12th, 2027
|
|
Orientation week:
| |
September 7th - 11th, 2026
|
|
Academic Calendar:
| |
|
|
|
Fact Sheet ZHAW School of Engineering
| |
Our fact sheet contains information about language requirements, grading system, scholarship, accomodation and much more. |
|
Bachelor courses Autumn Semester 26
| |
Autumn Semester courses take place in Winterthur. Please note that Bachelor’s students are not permitted to attend Master’s courses.
|
|
Master courses AY 26/27
| |
|
|
Visa Application Process
| |
Non-European exchange students must start their visa application immediately after receiving the Letter of Acceptance, as the process can take 8–10 weeks. Please highlight the urgency of this step to your students to ensure a smooth start. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Outgoing Coordinators: Please Support Us in Managing Growing Student Exchanges |
We are delighted with the ongoing collaboration and the fruitful exchanges between our institutions. These partnerships have led to a steadily increasing number of exchange students, which is wonderful to see but also brings a significant volume of administrative work.
To ensure a smooth process for everyone, we kindly ask that you advise your students to submit their applications complete with all required documents, as outlined in our email, by the specified deadline. Please note that delayed or incomplete applications may not be considered and could be cancelled.
We greatly appreciate your understanding and support in helping us manage this growing number of exchanges efficiently. Together, we can continue to offer students a seamless and rewarding international experience. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Special Experiences of Incoming Exchange Students |
|
|
|
| Two Paths – One Double Degree |
|
|
| As part of the Double Degree programme between the ZHAW School of Engineering and Victoria University of Wellington, Thamena Essahaty and Joël Bieli spent a year studying abroad, adapting to new systems and cultures. Their experience went far beyond earning two master’s degree. Dive into their story and read more here. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| Stefania reflecting on the real challenges of AI |
|
|
| Our incoming student Stefania Milani from our partner university University of Trento, Italy, attended the module "Artificial Intelligence" in autumn semester and wrote a blog post about how the true challenge of AI lies not in its technological capabilities, but in how society chooses to use it. Enjoy reading her blog-post. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| Together for a Semester to Remember |
|
|
| During the last semester, we had the pleasure of hosting wonderful incoming students from diverse backgrounds. Their presence enriched our community in countless ways. We invite you to take a look and relive some of the highlights with us. Our shared events and experiences are beautifully summarized in our Remembrance Book. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| What’s Happening at ZHAW School of Engineering |
|
| Incoming Students Advancing Medical Technology at ZHAW |
|
|
| A team at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) developed a prototype of a more flexible supply line for mechanical circulatory support devices. Building on this successful study, which was published in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation by ScienceDirect, the prototype is now being further developed by two Bachelor’s students from Northeastern University, USA, as part of their project work conducted on-site at ZHAW. Read the full article here. |
|
| |
|
| ZHAW Welcomes Minnesota's First Lady and Delegation |
|
|
| In November, ZHAW hosted Minnesota’s First Lady, Gwen Walz, as part of a trade and education delegation led by State Governor Tim Walz. The delegation was visiting Germany and Switzerland to strengthen cooperation in research, education, and business and to establish new international partnerships. During the visit, the Minnesota delegation was also introduced to Switzerland’s dual education system. The full article can be found here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Changes within the International Office |
We are excited to warmly welcome our new team member Sandra Radivojevic, who has stepped in as Tina Ruf’s successor. Since November last year, Sandra has been managing agreement administration and coordinating our summer schools. She brings a wealth of experiences from her background in career counseling and the tourism sector, along with a bright and cheerful energy that already enriches our team.
We are delighted to have her with us, and she is very much looking forward to connecting with you! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Welcome to our new partner universities |
 |
|
We are excited to expand our partner university community and welcome the following institutions:
• La Trobe University (Melbourne), Australia
• Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane), Australia
• University of Nicosia, Cyprus
• Università Ca'Foscari Venezia, Italy
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), People's Republic of China
• Instituto Politecnico do Porto, Portugal
• Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Republic Türkiye
• Dongguk University (Seoul), South Korea
• Jönköping University, Sweden
• University of Groningen, The Netherlands
• University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
We have extended our agreements with the following universities for the next period. Thank you for the fruitful and continuous collaboration.
• Griffith University, Australia
• Western Sydney University, Australia
• University of Zagreb - Faculty of Mechancal Engineering and Naval Architecture, Croatia
• Nagaoka University of Technology (Niigata), Japan
• Linköping Universität, Sweden
• Mahidol University International College (Nakhon Pathom), Thailand
• Windesheim University (Double Degree), The Netherlands
• San José State University, USA
• University of California San Diego - Jacobs School of Engineering, USA
• University of Cincinnati, USA
• University of West Florida (Pensacola), USA |
|
|
|
