The CampusCard is primarily a student identification card. It can also be used to pay for goods, services and the use of equipment (e.g. printers and copiers) or to access the relevant university buildings (depending on the School) outside of open hours. The ZHAW catering services only apply the student discount when payment is made with the CampusCard. In addition, the CampusCard functions as a library card. For members of the ASVZ, the Academic Sports Association of Zurich (of which students are automatically members), the CampusCard serves as their membership card. Finally, many restaurants and shops give discounts to students when they show their CampusCard. Further information on the CampusCard, including the issuing offices and discount overviews, can be found on Self-Service-Portal.

A variety of canteens (Mensa), cafeterias and coffee bars can be found at each ZHAW location. In Winterthur and Wädenswil, SV Switzerland is responsible for catering. You can find everything from small snacks to full meals, all at reasonable prices. Meal plans, open hours and further information can be found online.

The ZHAW buildings are open to the public during normal teaching hours. Special open hours apply between semesters. The CampusCard still provides access to many ZHAW buildings even outside of open hours.

The Service Centers provide all kinds of copy and print services as well as complementary services such as binding and laminating (except in Zurich). In addition, the Service Centers issue the CampusCard and provide assistance in case of questions and problems regarding the CampusCard such as malfunction, loss or credit balance payouts.

The ZHAW has an emergency number, 058 934 70 70, which is available around the clock, 365 days per year, and operated by an external partner of the ZHAW. This number must be called in all emergencies to ensure quick action can be taken on-site. All public emergency services are summoned directly by the emergency centre in consultation with the caller. The ZHAW emergency app lists the key rules on what to do in emergencies such as fire, accident or evacuation. If you register through the app, you will receive important and useful information in the event of an emergency.

Detailed floor plans and addresses for the Winterthur, Zurich and Wädenswil locations can be found on the intranet. Individual buildings are labelled clearly on the campus maps.

A stay abroad is an opportunity to build an international network, gain intercultural skills and deepen your knowledge of foreign languages. During a semester or year abroad, students can study or do an internship at a company or an organisation. Credits obtained abroad are generally recognised by the home university. The ZHAW works with partner universities around the globe. Students who complete a semester or year abroad within the framework of the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP, the Swiss programme for Erasmus+) generally receive financial support. You can also gain international experience through a double or joint degree programme, at a summer or winter school or during work on your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis. Please contact the International Relations Office at your School.

The key laws governing your studies, such as the Federal Act on the Funding and Coordination of the Higher Education Sector or the law governing the universities of applied sciences of the Canton of Zurich, can be found online (some only in German).

The autumn semester starts on 1 August and ends on 31 January, while the spring semester starts on 1 February and ends on 31 July. These are the time frames in which the teaching and examination periods of each semester take place. Students are expected to spend the time outside of teaching and examination periods for independent or guided self-study.

The programme regulations and the General Academic Regulations with appendices for new students in their first semester can be found online.

Fact sheets on social security (OASI, DI, income compensation), financial aid, data transfer and other issues relating to your studies can be found on the intranet.

All ZHAW students receive their own personal e-mail address (username@students.zhaw.ch), disk space for data storage as well as internet and intranet access. There is a wireless network across all campuses. You can view your user information and change or reset your password using the SelfAdmin Service. The ZHAW network can also be accessed remotely. The self-service portal of the ZHAW Service Desk offers further information regarding practical matters and the possibility to submit support requests. It also offers an ICT introduction for new students.

Comprehensive information about the ZHAW can be found online at www.zhaw.ch and on the intranet at intra.zhaw.ch. The electronic infopoint provides all ZHAW members with the latest information regarding their School.

The Self-Service portal offers ZHAW students comprehensive information about F&S services and how to order them, as well as access to open requests. At its core lies the knowledge base, containing hundreds of entries about frequently asked questions and providing short and concise answers on key subjects. Further, more in-depth information can be found in attached documents. Students are therefore able to solve common queries 24/7 and without involving the service desk, thus freeing up resources for more complex issues.

The ZHAW supports and promotes open dialogue on social media channels. It has formulated social media guidelines containing standards and recommendations on the use of social media. The purpose of these guidelines, among other things, is to protect the personal reputation of all ZHAW members and further strengthen the ZHAW brand. The guidelines and other helpful information regarding social media at the ZHAW can be found on the intranet.

Alias is an association representing all students at the ZHAW while also promoting student culture. Through two information channels, Alias provides entertainment as well as the opportunity for active engagement. The online magazine Brainstorm provides free weekly information on current issues of interest, ranging from student life at the ZHAW to culture, food and travel – there’s something for everyone. The student radio station Campus.FM broadcasts shows on culture, sports, news reports, talk shows and much more every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All the shows are available as a podcast. Take a look, tune in and join in!

A dedicated team of counsellors is available to all students to help you organise your studies and solve issues. Key areas of focus include psychological counselling and coaching, financial aid, studying with a disability, balancing studies and family commitments, balancing studies and elite sports, studying abroad, and more. Counselling sessions are confidential and free of charge; the counsellors are bound by professional secrecy.

The Registrar’s Office provides information to all students with questions about compulsory civil protection, military or civilian service and helps them coordinate their service and studies.

Through various projects and services, the Diversity Unit works to highlight the commonalities and differences between ZHAW members and harness this potential. It is committed to establishing institutional structures that guarantee equality of opportunity. It promotes equality between genders as well as people with different abilities and works on issues related to social and cultural background, sexual orientation, religion, nationality and age. In addition, it provides counsel on balancing studies and family commitments and helps in cases of discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying.

The Registrar’s Office is the ZHAW’s central information office both within the university and in the public sphere. It manages the internal and external rental of spaces at the Technikumstrasse and Stadt-Mitte campuses, and is the point of contact for issues relating to students’ compulsory military service for the Winterthur Schools.

The academic offices are the first points of contact for students in case of questions regarding their studies. All contacts are listed online.

The Service Desk is the central point of contact for ZHAW members in case of questions or problems in the domains of the ZHAW Shared Services (Information & Communication Technology, Facility Management, Human Resources and Finances & Controlling). The Service Desk employees are on hand to ensure smooth operations throughout the university from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Students with a disability or a chronic illness are entitled to equal rights and support in overcoming barriers during their studies at the ZHAW. The ZHAW counsels students affected by disabilities or illnesses on all issues and processes relating to their studies. To apply for concessions to compensate for disadvantages, we recommend contacting the support office as early as possible.

The University Conference represents all members of the university and consists of representatives for the lecturers and teaching staff, research associates and assistants, administrative and technical staff and the student body. The Council of the Zurich Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (FHR) is the highest body of the ZHAW and is responsible for the strategic management. The students of the ZHAW have one representative in the FHR with an advisory function.

The whole student body forms the ZHAW students’ association, Alias. Alias gives students a voice in dealing with the university, the authorities and third parties. The student council of Alias is the students’ official representative body; it consists of about 50 student members elected from all Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes. They make key decisions and elect representatives to participate in the various committees. Alias’ committees deal with issues such as sustainability, university policy and diversity. In addition, the association organises events at all university locations. Alias invites all students to get involved and take an active part in the association.

Alias provides ZHAW students a fully equipped band room in Winterthur where they can make music together.

At the Techshop, ZHAW students can get notebooks, calculators, office materials and other items at very favourable conditions. The shop is located on the Technikumstrasse campus in Winterthur and is open at lunchtime during the semester. All products are also available online.

Theater enthusiasts will find what they are looking for at the partner organization Theater-8, where productions are staged annually. This theater is for both employees and students of the ZHAW and offers various continuing education programs.

A number of restaurants and shops at the ZHAW locations give discounts to students when they show their CampusCard. On the intranet, you can find a list of all the businesses where you get discounts.

There are various student residences in Winterthur and Wädenswil run by the WOKO Student Housing Cooperative on behalf of the SWOWI Foundation for student housing. WOKO itself offers housing in Zurich for students of the Schools of Applied Psychology and Social Work and at Bürglistrasse in Winterthur. In addition, there is a residence for 105 students at Untere Briggerstrasse in Winterthur which is run by Livit AG (see studentenwohnen.ch); the “Wohnen für Hilfe” programme by Pro Senectute promotes homeshares where students can live with elderly people in return for help with household tasks; the Jugendwohnnetz offers inexpensive housing for students in Zurich; and numerous private flatshare offers can be found on websites such as wgzimmer.ch.