Education / Switzerland Switzerland

Switzerland

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The Swiss Education system

The Swiss higher education system covers universities and higher vocational training. Switzerland has universities providing general education and universities of applied sciences. Higher vocational training is provided by higher technical schools and technical schools, leading to vocational certificates and higher vocational diplomas. Both types of institute make up a dense network of education outlets in Switzerland, offering Swiss and international students alike a high quality of higher education opportunities.

Universities

University education is provided by ten 10 cantonal universities, Federal Institutes of Technology and 7 Universities of Applied Sciences.

There are ten Cantonal Universities and the two federal institutes of technology. These are the university institutes, some of whose histories, particularly in the case of the cantonal universities, date back to the 15th century. The oldest university in Switzerland  - the University of Basel, was founded in 1460. All twelve universities operate more or less in the classical tradition of European universities in that they both teach and conduct research and offer a wide range of studies within the faculties of law and economics, mathematics and natural sciences, the humanities and the social sciences.

Universities of Applied Sciences

The seven Universities of Applied Sciences have emerged since 1997 from the amalgamation and specialisation of around 70 advanced technical schools consisting of technical colleges and higher commercial comprehensive schools. The universities of applied sciences work under the motto "Equal standards, different approach". In other words, they have the same educational task combined with elements of general vocational training while taking a more practice-oriented approach through a close link between teaching and research. The universities of applied sciences provide applied vocational science-based training, carry out applied research and development, are key players in promoting knowledge and technology transfer and offer specialised graduate studies for professionals as a part of life-long learning. In 2004 there were approximately 44,000 students studying at the seven universities of applied sciences.

Academic degrees and duration of studies

University-level education follows the bachelor-master system. Like other countries, Switzerland wants to make it easier for international students to move between universities, and in 1999 signed the so-called Bologna declaration. Reforms aimed at standardising the structure of studies and of degrees are planned to be complete by 2010. Under this new two-tiered system, the first grade awarded is the Bachelor degree (180 ECTS credits or three years full-time study) and the second is the Master degree (90 - 120 ECTS credits or one and a half years full-time study). A Bachelor's degree is the pre-requisite for admittance to studies at Master's level. A Master's degree and good grades are the pre-requisite for undertaking a doctorate. To be eligible for starting your doctorate studies, you will need a master degree in a related field.

Private schools

In addition to the institutions of higher learning named above, there are also a number of private universities and educational institutes in Switzerland. With 3 official languages (French, German and Italian) Switzerland has a lot of international schools. Switzerland in general has earned international acclaim for the excellence of their private schools. Private schools offer language studies, a wide variety of hospitality and service programs, as well as Commercial & Management Courses for BBA, MBA, Executive MBA and DBA degrees.

Read more about studying in Switzerland here.