FAQ Frequently asked questions about the Foundation Course in Art and Design

• Completion of upper secondary education (a high school diploma, a vocational diploma, or a specialized diploma is preferred, but - unlike for the bachelor’s program - is not a requirement for the Introductory Course in Design)
• Passing the entrance exam

Close

The admissions process consists of two stages. The first part of the exam consists of an assignment on specified topics. All applicants invited to the second part of the exam will be given one or two creative assignments during a half-day exam session. See also Details on the Admissions Process.

Close

The work is evaluated based on the following criteria: completeness, color/form/composition, versatility/creativity, response to the assignment/execution, passion/creative drive, development process/variations, perseverance/tenacity, independence/originality, observational skills, and technical skills/choice of technique.

Close

The application deadline for the 2027/28 admissions process is Monday, November 23, 2026. If you have any questions about applying after this date, please contact vorkurs.dfk@hslu.ch.

Close

International students who move to Switzerland usually do not receive a Swiss insurance number until they arrive. However, this information can be submitted later without any problems. Therefore, when filling out the student agreement, you can provide the insurance details from your home country and submit the Swiss insurance details as soon as possible to vorkurs.dfk@hslu.ch.

Close

Is late registration possible? Registration after the deadline depends on various factors, so it may be possible upon request. Please contact vorkurs.dfk@hslu.ch.

Close

Example: Failing the Matura exams / Work-related reasons: possible until the end of June at no additional cost.

Close

Anyone who has received a study place offer for the foundation course should register for the foundation course by the deadline, even if they are waiting for a study place offer of a bachelor’s programme.
You can withdraw from the foundation course by the end of June without incurring any costs.
>>> see Regulations (Paragraph VI. Gebühren Abs. 13)

Close

Yes, acceptance of the study place may be deferred by one year.

Close

According to the Regulations (Paragraph VI., Art. 13), you may withdraw until the end of June.

Close

The Foundation Course in Design, Film and Art lasts one year (full-time) or two years (part-time), always from early August to early May. (No teaching takes place from early May to early August).

Close

Intensive evening classes (Painting, Photography, Silkscreen Printing, Bookbinding, etc.) are available during the Foundation Course in Design, Film and Art. Attendance is not mandatory but serves to hone insights and practical skills and they are free of charge.

Close

The one-year, full-time Foundation Course requires circa 1'600 hours of your time, half for contact (i.e. tuition) hours, half for independent study and research. Whether you can manage a job at the same time is for you to decide – but please bear in mind that attendance at 80 % of tuition time is mandatory! We recommend the two-year, part-time Foundation Course for people in employment or anyone returning to higher education after a break.

Close

Attestation and graduation certificates are issued upon successful completion of the Course.

Close

Information about scholarships is available on the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Design Film Art website under “General Study Information.” If you have any questions, please contact vorkurs.dfk@hslu.ch.

Close

Detailed information can be found in the PDF Studiengebühren.

One-time fees

• There is an admission fee of CHF 125, which must be paid before completing the registration process
• CHF 50.– for the HSLU Card (ID card upon acceptance of a study place)

Fees per semester

• CHF 803.– tuition fees for students residing in the Canton of Lucerne or a participating canton (including CHF 3.– membership fee for the student organization SUMO)
• CHF 8’050.– students from cantons without an agreement pay this amount in addition to the tuition fees per semester
• CHF 60.– service fee

Annual costs for studies and work materials

• approx. CHF 2'000

Close

Students resident in a canton non-signatory to the Reciprocal Agreement have to pay an additional fee equivalent to the contribution made by cantons signatory to the Reciprocal Agreement. Students from the cantons LU, UR, SZ, OW, NW and ZG pay the regular fee of CHF 803.–, because these cantons have signed the RSZ: Regionalen Schulabkommen Zentralschweiz (Regional Agreement on Schools in Central Switzerland). Please contact vorkurs.dfk@hslu.ch if you have any questions. Students from the cantons BS, BE, FR and VS are subject to the same fees as students from Central Switzerland – but only on condition that they obtain from the relevant authorities written confirmation (Kostengutsprache) that their home canton will pay the remainder of the total sum. These cantons (RSA, NW, EDK) are signatories to the Schulgeldabkommen Nordwestschweiz (Regional Agreement on Schools in Northwestern Switzerland).

Close

Foreign students should address inquiries to the school secretariat: +41 41 248 64 64 or vorkurs.dfk@hslu.ch.

Close

Form

• The student must request this form from the relevant canton and fill it out.
• Once approval is granted, HSLU will then register the student with the canton.

Signature

• Should the HSLU Student Agreement be signed before submitting the application, or only after a positive decision has been made by the relevant canton?
  >>> Answer: Sign the student agreement before submitting the application, as you can withdraw from your study place until mid-June, see Regulations (Paragraph VI., Art. 13).

Submitting the Application

• When submitting the application, I must also include a “Confirmation of Admission from the out-of-canton school.” Is this a separate document, or is it the email confirming admission to the program?
  >>> Answer: We do not have such a document internally, so you can use the email as proof.
• What document do I need to include with my application to the canton? Is there an internal document?
  >>> Answer: No, there is no internal document, kindly contact the canton directly.

All details regarding the cantons’ coverage of costs are shown in this chart. 

Close

If students have not been offered a study place, they can pick up their portfolios. These will be available at the Front Office after the half-day exams. Students who have been offered a study place will receive their portfolios back at the start of the course (in August). If desired, they may pick up their portfolios earlier. Please direct inquiries to vorkurs.dfk@hslu.ch.

Close

All details of the part-time programme can be found here.

Close