Admission to the MA in Language and Communication

1. Bachelor’s degree (university of applied sciences or university) or an equivalent undergraduate degree
2. A successful result in our aptitude test (profile-specific)
3. Evidence of the required language knowledge
4. For the specialisation in Strategic Communication Management: a three-month full-time internship; for the specialisation in Linguistic Diversity Management: a three-month full-time internship or a semester abroad

Details of the documents that you must enclose with your application can be found on the registration page (in German).

We offer an online bridging programme for candidates with a professional background outside the field of applied linguistics, which enables them to independently acquire the necessary foundations in applied linguistics as well as specific knowledge for their chosen profile. Information is provided after registration.

Individuals who have been permanently excluded from a comparable Master's programme at another university are not eligible for admission to the corresponding profile of the MA in Language and Communication at the ZHAW.

Evidence of language proficiency must be provided for any language that is not your native language. Accepted forms of evidence include the following: 

• Language certificates (Cambridge, IELTS or TOEFL)
• Certificates of study
• Employment references
• Documentation of long-term stays abroad, etc.

This evidence can be submitted up to the start of the programme by arrangement with the academic office.

To succeed in the Master's degree programme, you should have the following core competencies: 

• Strong resilience and the ability to cope with stress
• A high level of self-organisation and self-management
• A willingness to present to an audience
• A willingness to work collaboratively in groups
• A willingness to take on leadership and advisory responsibilities

Professional aptitude test (oral)

The following is assessed:

• Practical aptitude for strategic communication management: during the test, you must demonstrate a basic understanding of strategic communication management in professional practice. This also applies if you do not yet hold any qualifications or possess practical experience.
• Potential to study at a Master’s level
• If clear evidence is lacking: language proficiency (German: C2, English: C1)

Information sheet on the professional aptitude test for the specialisation in Strategic Communication Management (in German)

Recommended preparation

• Selected literature on corporate communications / communication consulting
• Regular reading of public media

Practical experience

• Relevant professional experience or
• full-time internship of at least three months in the field of corporate communications or communication consulting.

The corresponding documents must be submitted with the application. In exceptional cases, documents may be submitted up to the start of the programme by arrangement with the academic office. If you are unsure whether your internship is acceptable, please contact the academic office.

Professional aptitude test (written)

The following is assessed:

• Practical multilingual communication skills: the test consists of translating a general text from your chosen foreign languages (B and C languages) into your primary language (A language) and – if you wish to take an active B language – from your primary language (A language) into your active foreign language.  

You may register for a maximum of two B languages and four C languages for the professional aptitude test.

To be admitted to the programme, you must pass the test with a language combination of ACC or AB.

• Potential to study at a Master’s level 

Information sheet on the professional aptitude test for the specialisation in Multilingual Communication Management (in German

Language proficiency

For your A language, native-speaker level (higher than C2) is required. This is assessed during the professional aptitude test.

Candidates unable to provide clear evidence of German at C2 and English at C1 are assessed in a written language test taken at the ZHAW.

Recommended preparation

• Selected literature on translation  
• Translation exercises
• A stay abroad or an internship in the field of multilingual communication, for example with a language service provider

Professional aptitude test (oral)

The following is assessed:

• Intercultural skills
• Ability to reflect on multilingual and multicultural contexts
• Potential to study at a Master’s level
• Your language proficiency (German: C1, English: C1)

Information sheet on the professional aptitude test for the specialisation in Linguistic Diversity Management (in German)

Practical experience

• Relevant professional experience or
• a full-time internship of at least three months in the context of linguistic diversity management or
• a period of study abroad of at least one semester

The corresponding documents must be submitted with the application. In exceptional cases, documents may be submitted up to the start of the programme by arrangement with the academic office. If you are unsure whether your internship is acceptable, please contact the academic office.

Professional aptitude test (oral)

The following is assessed:

• Practical skills in sight translation and consecutive interpreting: in the test, you must achieve at a minimum the language combination AB (dominant language and active foreign language) or ACC (dominant language and two passive second languages). 

We will provide you with sample texts when you apply to take the test.

• Potential to study at a Master’s level

Information sheet on the professional aptitude test for the specialisation in Conference Interpreting (in German)

Language proficiency

For your A language, native-speaker level (higher than C2) is required. This is assessed during the professional aptitude test.  

Candidates unable to provide clear evidence of German at C2 and English at C1 are assessed in a written language test taken at the ZHAW.

Recommended preparation

• Participation in the one-semester online conference interpreting bridging course (during the autumn semester).