To succeed in today's job market, graduates need foreign language skills, intercultural competencies and an open mind. These skills and qualities are essential for them to work effectively in multinational teams, to deal successfully with international clients and to play an active part in a globalised world. Therefore, the ZHAW promotes students' international competencies by encouraging them to complete an exchange semester or a work placement abroad and by focussing on the development of these competencies through our teaching.

Those who wish to take internationalism one step further can study on a programme taught in English or complete their Bachelor's programme with an international profile. The ZHAW also offers a wide variety of language courses to allow students to improve their language skills. Students from abroad can prepare for their degree programme or continuing education course at the ZHAW by taking a German language course here before they begin – or they can attend a course during their studies. Incoming students with no or little previous knowledge of German will find courses that are tailored to their needs.