Pre-College - Our Courses for Prospective Students
If you are interested in studying at the ZHAW School of Engineering, but unsure whether you fulfil the admission criteria, you can put your prior knowledge to the test and find the best preliminary courses here.
Admission
There is more than one way to get into a university of applied sciences, including an apprenticeship with a vocational baccalaureate, a specialised baccalaureate, an academic baccalaureate, a foreign diploma or a diploma from a college of higher education.
Youth2Engineers pre-study internship
Do you have an academic or a non-technical vocational baccalaureate but wish to sign up for an engineering programme at a university of applied sciences? And do you still need to complete the required 12-month work experience placements (internship)? Then the Youth2Engineers programme might be the perfect point of entry for you.
- You will complete a two-month pre-internship at the ZHAW School of Engineering.
- You will receive an introduction to our workshops and to programming and have the chance to independently work on a project at one of our Institutes.
- You will acquire practical experience tailored to your needs and earn the qualification for a corporate internship.
- Simultaneously, you will apply for a consecutive 10-month internship at a company. The ZHAW School of Engineering is part of an extensive network and will use it to help you find an internship placement.
- After graduating from Youth2Engineer and completing a 10-month corporate internship, you will have the work experience you need to study at a university of applied sciences.
Holders of an academic baccalaureate may also consider signing up for a work-study Bachelor’s degree programme.
Pre-courses and literature
We can help you get ready to study in the most effective way, be it with specialist literature or with our courses.
Maths and Physics
We offer two courses each in Maths and Physics for an ideal start:
Refresher courses
These courses are for prospective applicants with a technical vocational baccalaureate who would like to refresh their Maths and Physics skills. The courses take place in August and September, in Winterthur. Refresher courses in Maths and Physics may also be taken individually.
Course description and registration (in german)
Intensive courses
These courses are for prospective applicants without a technical vocational baccalaureate and only basic skills in Maths and Physics. The courses take place over several months in Winterthur. Intensive courses in Maths and Physics may also be taken individually.
Course description and registration (in german)
Maths and Physics literature
We recommend the following titles for self-study:
- Die Mathematik der Technischen Berufsmaturität: Hans Rudolf Schärer, Willi Meier, Stefan Niggli, Peter Scheurer; hep Verlag; ISBN 978-3-03905-687-3
- Physik für die Berufsmaturität: Ruben Mäder, David Kamber, Remo Häuselmann; 2. Auflage 2017; hep verlag; ISBN 978-3-0355-0813-0
Programming
If you are interested in applying for a Bachelor’s programme in Computer Science but have no or limited basic skills in object-oriented programming, we recommend you take the programming pre-course.
- Course description and registration (in german)
- Programming skills test (PDF 177,1 KB)
- Programming skills test with answers (PDF 190,7 KB)
Programming literature
The programming pre-course is based on the following book:
Java lernen mit BlueJ: David J. Barnes und Michael Kölling, Pearson; ISBN 978-3-8689-4907-0. Weiter empfehlen wir folgende Literatur zur Vorbereitung:
- Clean Code. A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship: Robert C. Martin, Prentice Hall; ISBN 978-0-13-235088-4.
- Java ist auch eine Insel: Christian Ullenboom, Rheinwerk Verlag; frei verfügbare Online-Version.
Technical drawing and CAD
If you are interested in applying for a Bachelor’s programme in Mechanical Engineering but have no or limited basic skills in technical drawing and CAD, we recommend you take the technical drawing and CAD pre-course. The course is also open to future Aviation, Systems Engineering and Transportation Systems students.
Language courses
The following language courses are offered at the Institute of Language Competence and financially supported by the ZHAW School of Engineering during your studies. Students pay a contribution fee of CHF 80 per course, the remaining course costs are covered.
English courses
First-year BA students who wish to sign up for the International Profile and who have not reached the required B2 level in the Online English Placement Test (OET), or wish to consolidate their B2 level, can attend the "Preparation Course English for International Profile Level B2 (PreIP)" in the spring semester and repeat the OET at the end of the semester.
The courses "Exam Preparation: English C1 (Advanced/CAE), part 1" can be attended by all students who have reached a level B2+ (OET or certificate) and wish to prepare for the CAE exam (level C1) throughout their studies
- Exam preparation: English C1 (Advanced/CAE) – Monday (Online)
- Exam preparation: English C1 (Advanced/CAE) – Tuesday (Winterthur)
The courses "Exam Preparation: English B2 (First/FCE), part 1»" can be attended by all students who have not yet reached a level B2 (OET or certificate).
- Exam preparation: English B2 (First/FCE) – Thursday (Online)
German as a Foreign Language
For foreign-language students we offer the course «Schreiben für Studium und Beruf», training reporting and argumentation skills. You can improve your oral fluency in the course «Kommunikation im Fokus», where you will expand your vocabulary and train your speaking skills to express your opinion in discussions or present everyday and professional topics. Public speaking practice and effective presentation techniques prepare you for your own presentations.
Your registration will be definite, if you can provide an internationally-recognised certificate (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat) or have completed the ILC placement test at the required entry level.
Students pay a contribution fee of CHF 80 per course, the remaining course costs are covered. Upon registration, please state that you are an SoE-student.