The FAQ section answers the most common questions—saving you valuable time before you apply.
No, all candidates must submit an application regardless of their previous training.
Registration is only done through an online form (the link will be available starting Tuesday, November 17, 2026).
By clicking on this link, you will need to enter a valid personal email address, and the system will automatically send you a password within 24 hours. Please be sure to check your inbox and junk/spam folders.
You will then be able to log in exclusively using the username and password sent to you by email.Registration is only done through an online form (the link will be available starting Tuesday, November 17, 2026).
From Tuesday, November 17, 2026, through Monday, March 22, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. CEST (Swiss time).
No application forms may be submitted or accepted outside of this period.
The cost is CHF 150.– per program selected. You may select up to two programs; in that case, the registration fee will be doubled to CHF 300.–. This amount is non-refundable even if the application is deemed ineligible during the administrative review.
The admission process takes place in two rounds.
The first round consists of the examination and evaluation by a committee of professors of the personal file of each applicant.
The second round involves an interview to which the applicants selected after the first round are invited by email.
Details on the expected contents of personal files are available on the dedicated section.
These interviews must take place at HEAD – Genève for all candidates whose address is in Switzerland or in the Rhône-Alpes region, except in cases of force majeure. Other candidates may choose between an interview at HEAD – Genève and an interview by videoconference.
Competition results are posted on the dates listed in the dedicated tab, exclusively on the application portal assigned to you. You will receive an email notifying you that a message has been posted on your application portal.
Candidates who have passed the competition have until May 31 to confirm their enrollment at HEAD – Genève.
Each candidate is allowed a total of three attempts. If a candidate registers for two exams in a given year, this dual registration in the same year counts as one attempt.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a university or a university of applied sciences (HES) or a foreign degree deemed equivalent, except for applicants requesting special consideration, namely admission based on their application materials.
The following diplomas are not recognised as BA degrees giving access to an MA program at HEAD – Genève:
The following diplomas are recognised as BA degrees giving access to an MA program at HEAD – Genève:
Please consult the brochure published on the HES-SO website at the following pathway: Admissions to our Master's programmes and regulations.
Yes, provided that certain conditions are met:
For more information, see the “Special Conditions ” section on the Admissions page.
Master's studies at HEAD – Genève are in English, in French or in English and French, depending on the course of studies (please refer to the admission conditions and procedures for the specifics of each course).
Candidates whose secondary II or Bachelor's degree was not awarded by an institution whose teaching was in the same language as that of the Master's programme must, after being admitted, submit by 30 June a B2-level French or English certificate, depending on the course of studies.
No, you only need to provide proof of your language skills in French or in English.
No translation is required for diplomas in English, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
For all other languages, the documents must be a certified translation, i.e. a translation that bears the seal and signature of an accredited translator and must be sent directly by the translation office to admission.head@hesge.ch.
Semester fees are as follows: CHF 775 for Swiss students (i.e. Swiss nationals or those with tax residence in Switzerland and cross-border commuters) and CHF 1,125 for international students
More details here: Tuition Fees
No, it is not possible to be exempt from paying tuition. However, ad hoc assistance may be requested through the University of Geneva’s financial aid system.
Approximately CHF 1,000 to 2,000 per year is needed for materials, travel, museum visits, etc.
You should contact the scholarship service of your Canton of residence. In Geneva, this is the Service des bourses et prêts d’études.
Please consult the webpages dedicated to scholarships and financial aid.
You can earn ECTS credits for an internship as part of the Master in Fashion and Accessory Design, the Master in Design Installation, and the Master in Media Design. This non-compulsory internship takes place during the summer between the first and second year. An internship during the academic year can also be credited towards the Master in Interior Architecture.
No, Master’s studies at HEAD – Genève are full-time. The workload leaves some time for a student job but not, e.g., for a part-time job.
Yes, but only during the Open Days, which are held every year in mid-January.
Need additional information that you couldn’t find on the website? You can contact the Admissions Office using the online contact form.