Switzerland
Switzerland's location in the heart of Europe means that it has well-established networks between various fields of research, development and industry. The modern, diversified but coherent system of Swiss Higher education is perfectly suited to the needs of students, the scientific community, modern society and the economy is directly compatible with other European systems.
At all the different types of universities, the Bologna Declaration is implemented. The introduction of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) enables student mobility by ensuring the recognition of credits obtained elsewhere. Switzerland has the highest share of international students in Europe (17%) on Bachelors and advanced studies levels, most of them coming from other European countries.
The Higher Education System in Switzerland
In Switzerland, there three types of university:
- Doctoral/Research Universities (12)
- Universities of Applied Sciences (8)
- Universities of Teacher Education (15)
Doctoral/Research Universities
These universities offer theoretically orientated Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctoral degrees. Of the twelve research universities, two are Federal Institutes of Technology; the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne and the Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich. The universities of Basle, Berne, Lucerne, St. Galle, Zurich and the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich are located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
The universities of Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchatel as well as the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne are in the French-speaking pert of Switzerland. All research universities have the same structure combining research and education. The twelve Swiss universities are divided into faculties or departments including theology, law, economic and social sciences, arts, natural science and medicine. Currently, only research universities are allowed to confer Doctoral degrees
In addition, there are some smaller institutions offering a limited curriculum which confer diplomas in association with a traditional university. They are considered as public institutions of higher education:
- The Graduate Institute for International Studies, Geneva
- The Graduate Institute for Advances Public Administration, Lausanne
- The Graduate Institute of Development Studies, Geneva
These institutions are not allowed to confer doctoral degrees without specifically associating to one of the twelve research universities.
Universities of Applied Sciences
A UAS degree also serves as an entry qualification to further studies at universities both in Switzerland and abroad.
These universities offer practice orientated university level education accommodating the needs of both students and the job market. As the education students receive is practice-orientated, students graduating from universities of applied sciences (UAS) have very good prospects in the job market. Since 1997, Switzerland has seven public-funded universities of applied sciences, which are organised regionally. Since 2005, there is also a private UAS, which is recognised by the Swiss authorities.
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Berne University of Applied Science – campuses in Berne, Burgdorf, Biel, Zollikofen and Magglingen
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University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland – campuses in Brugg/Windisch, Olten, Basel and Muttenz
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University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland – campuses in St. Gallen, Rapperswil, Buchs and Chur
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University of Applied Sciences of Central Switzerland – campuses in Lucerne and Horw
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University of Applied Sciences of Zurich – campuses in Zurich, Winterthur and Wadenswil
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Italian-speaking part of Switzerland: University of Applied sciences of Southern Switzerland – campuses in Lugano, Manno, Canabbio and Versico
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French-speaking part of Switzerland: University of applied Sciences Western Swizerland – campuses in Geneva, Lausanne, Sion, Sierre, Fribourg, Yverdon-les-Bains, Changins, Neuchatel and La Chaux-de-Fonds
Universities of Teacher Education
Switzerland has 15 universities of teacher education which train teachers for the pre-school, primary, secondary I and to a large extent, secondary II and also for some specialised domains like special needs education, speech and language therapy and psychomotor therapy. The universities of teacher education award Bachelor's or Master's degrees. Universities of teacher education also offer a Master of Advanced Studies.
Admission Requirements
Language Ability
Good knowledge of the language of instruction (either German, French or Italian) is a pre-requisite for admission to any Swiss university. In the meantime, universities are offering more and more study courses in English, in particular, Master level studies.
Foreign School or College Certificates
To be admitted to a university, candidates must possess either a state-recognised Swiss maturity certificate or another foreign certificate recognised as equivalent by the university.
Entrance Examinations
Candidates who either hold certificates which are only partly recognised for admission or who are asked by the university to take an entrance examination have to pass the examination in Fribourg. There examinations are held twice a year (summer session and an autumn session).
