1 : Universität/ Université/ Università : University
Description:Universities carry out basic research and teaching.
2 : Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH)/ École Polytechnique Fédérale (EPF) : Federal Institute of Technology (FIT)
Description:The Federal Institutes of Technologies fall in the same category as Universities.
3 : Fachhochschule/ Haute École spécialisée : University of Applied Sciences
Description:Universities of applied sciences carry out practically-oriented studies and applied research and development.
4 : Pädagogische Hochschule/ Haute École pédagogique : School for Teacher Education
5 : Other university-level institutions
Pre-Higher Education System
entry:4
exit:15
Pre-Primary :
Length of program:2
Age level from:4
Age level to:6
Primary :
Length of program:6
Age level from:6
Age level to:12
Lower Secondary :
Length of program:3
Age level from:12
Age level to:15
Upper Secondary :
Length of program:4
Age level from:15
Age level to:18
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Gymnasiale Maturität/ Maturité gymnasiale/ Maturità liceale
Vocational Secondary :
Length of program:1
Age level from:18
Age level to:19
Certificate/Diploma awarded at end:Berufsmaturität/ Maturité professionnelle/ Maturità professionale
Compulsory education lasts 11 years and is made up of 2 years of kindergarden, 6 years of primary education and 3 years of lower-secondary; pupils usually start at age 4 or 5. In some German-speaking cantons, 2 years kindergarden is not compulsory, or is only compulsory for one year but the majority do attend for these 2 years. The cantons are responsible for compulsory education and public compulsory education is free of charge for all children. There is no national leaving school certificate at the end of the compulsory cycle.
After compulsory education, students move into upper-secondary education, which can be divided into general education programmes and vocational education and training (VET) programmes. The general education programmes include Baccalaureate schools and upper-secondary specialised schools that do not lead to professional qualifications, but prepare for tertiary level education programmes. Vocational education and training (VET), where students learn a profession, is mostly completed at training companies (apprenticeship) combined with teaching at a VET school. It can also be completed at a full-time vocational school.
Higher Education System
Higher education institutions can be separated into two types having the same status but with different educational goals: the traditional universities and the universities of applied sciences (UAS). The main task of the universities is to carry out basic research and teaching while the universities of applied sciences place a greater emphasis on practically oriented studies and on applied research and development.
National Law on Universities (Loi fédérale sur les Hautes Ecoles) (2011)
French, German, Italian, English
Non-university level : Professional education and training (PET) - Tertiary B level
University level first stage : Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science - Tertiary A level
Description:The Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS credits/ three years' study) at universities provides fundamental academic education and teaches methodical academic thinking. At the universities of applied sciences, the Bachelor degree also focuses on profession and practice. The universities of teacher education follow an approach which is both scientific and practical.
University level second stage : Master of Arts/ Master of Science/ Master of Advanced Studies/ Executive Master of Business Administration - Tertiary A level
Description:The second grade is the Master's degree (90-120 ECTS credits or 1 1/2 to 2 years' study). Master's studies deepen and/or broaden knowledge of a subject and should include some research. A Bachelor's degree is the pre-requisite for admittance to studies at Master's level. The Master of Advanced Studies does not give access to doctoral studies.
University level third stage : Doctorate - Tertiary A level
Description:The doctorate is awarded by the ten cantonal universities and the two federal institutes of technology. Professional doctorates are awarded in professional disciplines such as Medicine. The duration of study varies from three to five years. The doctoral candidate must perform original research for the thesis and defend a thesis before a committee of professors. Admission to the doctorate is the autonomous responsibility of the universities and is decided case-by-case on the basis of individual qualifications.
There are distance education study centres of the Fern Universität Hagen in Brig, Berne and Pfäffikon, the Centre Romand d'Enseignement à distance (CRED) in Sierre and the Open University in Geneva. The creation of a virtual campus is being organized.
Bodies
Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation - SBFI
Role:The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation within the Federal Department of Home Affairs is the federal government's specialised agency for national and international matters concerning general and university education, research and space.
Street:Einsteinstrasse 2
City:Bern
PostCode:3003
Contacts:- Martina Hirayama (Head), Job title : State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation
- Silvia Studinger (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Vice-Director, Higher Education
- Jacques Ducrest (International Relations Officer), Job title : Head, International Relations
Schweizerische Konferenz der kantonalen Erziehungsdirektoren - EDK
Role:The main responsibility for education and culture lies with the cantons. They coordinate their work at the national level through the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education.
Street:Haus der Kantone Speichergasse 6, Postfach
City:Bern
PostCode:3000
Contacts:- Silvia Steiner (Head), Job title : President
- Susanne Hardmeier (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Secretary-General
Schweizerischen Hochschulkonferenz - SHK
Role:Joint organization of the cantons and the Confederation for university politics; was known as Schweizerische Universitätskonferenz until 2015
Street:Einsteinstrasse 2
City:Bern
PostCode:3003
Contacts:Guy Parmelin (Head), Job title : President
Rat der Eidgenössisschen Technischen Hochschulen - ETH-RAT
Role:The ETH Board represents the ETH Domain vis-à-vis the federal authorities and is responsible for the implementation of the performance mandate defined by the Federal Council and the Federal Parliament, as well as for the four-year strategy for the ETH Domain and the allocation of federal funds to the institutions.
Street:Häldeliweg 15
City:Zürich
PostCode:8092
Contacts:- Michael O. Hengartner (Head), Job title : President
- Michael Käppeli (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Executive Director
Schweizerische Agentur für Akkreditierung und Qualitätssicherung - AAQ
Role:Created in 2015 to safeguard and promote the quality of teaching and research at universities in Switzerland.
Street:Effingerstrasse 15 Case postale
City:Bern
PostCode:3001
www:https://aaq.ch
Contacts:Christoph Grolimund (Head), Job title : Director
Schweizerischer Nationalfonds - SNF
Role:Acting on a mandate issued by the Swiss Federal Government, the SNF supports research undertaken inside and outside universities and fosters young scientific talents.
Street:Wildhainweg 3 Postfach
City:Bern
PostCode:3001
Contacts:Jürg Stahl (Head), Job title : President
Role:Swissuniversities replaced the three rectors' conferences: The Rector's Conference of the Swiss universities, the Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences, and the Swiss Conference of Rectors of Universities of Teacher Education on 1/1/2015.
Street:Effingerstrasse 15 Postfach
City:Bern
PostCode:3001
Tel:+41(31) 335 0740
www:https://www.swissuniversities.ch
Contacts:- Luciana Vaccaro (Head), Job title : President
- Martina Weiss (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Secretary-General
CH Stiftung für eidgenössische Zusammenarbeit
Role:A foundation created in 1967 under private law. The Foundation is sponsored by all 26 Swiss cantons, each of which is represented on its Board of Trustees by a member of the respective cantonal government. The Foundation promotes bridge-building between Switzerland's different language communities, the preservation of its linguistic and cultural diversity, and the concept of federalism.
Street:Haus der Kantone Speichergasse 6 Postfach
City:Bern
PostCode:3001
Contacts:- Florence Nater (Head), Job title : President
- Roland Mayer (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Director
Graduate Women International - GWI
Role:GWI advocates for women’s rights, equality and empowerment through access to quality secondary and tertiary education, and training up to the highest levels. Our vision is 100% of girls and women in the world achieving education beyond primary school. Was known as International Federation of University Women (IFUW) until 2015.
Street:Chemin de Balexert, 7-9 Châtelaine
City:Geneva
PostCode:1291
www:https://www.graduatewomen.org
Contacts:- Patrice Wellesley-Cole (Head), Job title : President
- Stacy Dry Lara (Senior Administrative Officer), Job title : Executive Director
Schweizerische Agentur für Akkreditierung und Qualitätssicherung - AAQ
Recognition for institution:no
Recognition for profession:no
Street:Effingerstrasse 15 Case postale
City:Bern
PostCode:3001
www:https://aaq.ch
Several years of work experience
Berufsmaturität/ Maturité professionnelle/ Maturità profesionale
Requirement for:Universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), and doctoral/research universities after having successfully passed the university aptitude test
Gymnasiale Maturität/ Maturité gymnasiale/ Maturità liceale
Requirement for:Doctoral/research universities and universities of teacher education
Zulassung aufgrund von Vorbildung und Berufserfahrung/Accès sur dossier is a way of being admitted to higher education on grounds of previous life and work experience. It is intended for those who do not fulfil the normal entrance requirements.
There is no numerus clausus either nationally or locally for subjects to be studied at university except for Medicine in the German-speaking universities.
Definition:A foreign student is a person enrolled at a higher education institution in Switzerland, country of which he/she is not a permanent resident.
Admission Requirements:The basic requirements for admission to a Swiss university are: a State-recognized Swiss School Leaving Certificate, or a foreign equivalent. Each university makes its own decision concerning admission.
Quotas:Foreign applicants are unlikely to obtain a place in Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine if they do not hold a Swiss School-Leaving Certificate and a residence permit.
Health:All universities require their registered students to join a recognized health insurance scheme.
Language Proficiency:Adequate knowledge of the language of instruction (German, French or Italian).
Entry Regulations:A valid passport is sufficient for students from other West European countries. Citizens of countries which require a visa should apply to the relevant Swiss diplomatic representation abroad. Students wishing to spend more than three months in Switzerland must apply for a residence permit, which must be accompanied by a valid passport, a certificate of admission issued by the University, and a certificate stating that the applicant has the necessary financial resources to complete his/her studies.
Application to Individual Institution:Yes
Application to Central Body:No
For Access to University Level Studies:The recognition of foreign entrance qualifications and School Leaving Certificates is the responsibility of individual institutions and their Faculties. They alone are in a position to provide precise information on recognition of foreign certificates and degrees.
For Access to Advanced Studies/Research:Is the responsibility of the university, the higher education institution or the Faculty.For the Exercise of a Profession:For the exercise of a non-regulated profession in Switzerland, the assessment of the Diploma is the responsibility of the employer.Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region. Paris, 21 December 1979 (1991)
Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region. Lisbon, 11 April 1997 (1998)
Student Life
Is there social security:Yes
Is there social security:Yes
Details:Foreign students contribute to old-age and disability insurance schemes, if they intend to stay in Switzerland after finishing their studies, if they are stateless or have the status of refugees. Medical insurance is compulsory. Exempt from this compulsory insurance are students who come to Switzerland on a mobility programme or who come from a country where medical insurance is compulsory. In the latter case, the coverage must be equivalent to that in Switzerland.
By Road:No
By Rail:No
By Air:Yes
Credentials
Berufsmaturität/ Maturité professionnelle/ Maturità profesionale
Description:Certificate that provides training for work and for direct admission to Universities of Applied Sciences.
Gymnasiale Maturität/ Maturité gymnasiale/ Maturità liceale
Description:The baccalaureate gives access to university.
Entrance exam test at National level:yes
Bachelor
Description:First terminal degree awarded after 3 years' study (180 ECTS).
Credential required for entry:Gymnasiale Maturität/ Maturité gymnasiale/ Maturità liceale
Berufsmaturität/ Maturité professionnelle/ Maturità profesionale
Type of institution where credential is offered:Universität/ Université/ Università (University)
Master
Description:Postgraduate qualification awarded after 1 1/2 to 2 years' study (90 to 120 ECTS).
Credential required for entry:Bachelor
Type of institution where credential is offered:Universität/ Université/ Università (University)
Master of Advanced Studies
Description:Academic degree awarded in continuing education The programme offers comprehensive training in a specific field and can either give access to higher qualification in one's profession or lead to a new profession. The programme comprises courses, independent study, and a master's thesis. The programme awards a minimum of 60 ECTS credits and is accessible either directly after the Bachelor degree or following a Master degree. The Master of Advanced Studies does not give access to doctoral studies.
Acronym:MAS
Type of institution where credential is offered:Universität/ Université/ Università (University)
Doktorat/ Doctorat/ Dottorato
Description:A doctorate requires a comprehensive personal research project, provides preparation for research-oriented activity inside or outside the university domain and engenders the ability to assume demanding professional tasks and roles. Doctoral students write a dissertation. The title of doctor can only be awarded by a university. Upon achieving a doctorate, the title Dr. (…) is acquired; this corresponds to the abbreviation PhD.
Credential required for entry:Master
Type of institution where credential is offered:Universität/ Université/ Università (University)
Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH)/ École Polytechnique Fédérale (EPF) (Federal Institute of Technology (FIT))
Data Provided by
From:2019
To:2020
IAU from the Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS), 2011, updated from Swissuniversity.ch and the website of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, February 2020. Bodies updated January 2023.
Updated on 02-03-2020