What is the minimum/maximum age to apply at the Manufacture?

There is no limit of age. Candidates need to be 18 before the opening of the academic year (mid-September).

What diplomas are required for admission? 

For the Bachelor's degree programmes, a secondary school diploma is required (maturité, Baccalaureate or equivalent), as well as at least one year's prior intensive training in theatre or dance. 

For the Master's degree programme, a higher education diploma (bachelor's degree, licence or equivalent) is required, as well as prior practice or training in stage direction, choreography or scenography.

Can I make changes or additions to my online application form? 

The form can be filled out in several times and the current status of the application can be saved at any moment. Please note that once the file has been sent, it cannot be modified.

Is there a registration or application fee when applying for admission at The Manufacture?

Candidates must pay a fee of CHF 80.- for the organization of the auditions when submitting their application. The invitation to the auditions is sent only after receipt of payment. This application fee is non-refundable.

Can I request a specific date or time to audition within the audition period? 

As a rule, it is not possible, the audition schedule is assigned to the candidates. In exceptional circumstances, candidates may send their request by email to auditions@manufacture.ch prior to their assigned audition date.

How many times can I apply to the auditions of the Manufacture? 

If a candidate is not selected after an audition, he or she could apply two times more, meaning a total of three attempts. The candidate can audition again the following year, if auditions are held that year. 

When will the selected candidates be notified of the results? 

For both Theatre and Dance Bachelors auditions the selected candidates will be notified in person at the end of the last day of the second round of the audition. A written confirmation will be sent by email within the following week. 

For the Master in Theatre, selected candidates will be receiving a written confirmation by email within the first week after the second round of audition. 

When does the academic year start and finish ? 

The academic year starts in September and finishes in June.

What is the official language of work at the Manufacture? 

The Manufacture is located in the French speaking part of Switzerland (Romandie). Therefore, the main language of life and work at the Manufacture is French. A perfect command of French is specifically required for the Bachelor in Theatre. 

For the Bachelor in Contemporary Dance and the Master in Scenic Arts, the classes and workshops are given in French and/or English. Students are not required to be bilingual upon admission, but they are expected to acquire a very good level of understanding of the other language over the course of their first year of studies.

How much does it cost to study at La Manufacture? 

All students in training must pay a tuition fee per semester. A registration fee of CHF 150.- is also required from all admitted candidates upon admission. This registration fee as well as the first semester tuition fee must be paid prior to the beginning of the study programme.

From the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, the tuition fee per semester for Swiss students (defined by the AHES as being of Swiss nationality or resident in Switzerland for tax purposes) enrolled in Bachelor's and Master's programmes is CHF 700. International students pay a tuition fee of CHF 1,050 per semester.

Does the Manufacture directly manage grants? 

The Manufacture itself does not attribute scholarships. The school, however, supports students in need in their efforts to obtain specific scholarships from third parties, and a request for subsidiary aid may be submitted to the Association des Artisans, linked to the school, at the beginning of October (see the Grants section). Candidates should nonetheless be aware that grants in the artistic field are rare and most often allocated to Swiss students. As a result, candidates should contact their country and/or region of origin in the first place to ask for scholarships. 

Is it possible to have a student job while studying at the Manufacture? 

All courses are to be followed full-time. It is therefore possible to work outside the official schedule, at night, during the weekends and/or the holidays. Though, we underline that the general sustained pace of the studies and the complementary schoolwork expected makes it quite difficult to hold. 

Because of the high cost of living in Switzerland, please note that a student job only will not be sufficient to cover for all your expenses.