2017/18 3 Why Study in Switzerland? 4 Facts and Figures 6 Studying in Switzerland 6 Swiss Higher Education 10 Practical Details 23 Degree Programmes 24 Doctoral/Research Universities 34 Higher Education Institutions according to HEdA 36 Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts 42 Universities of Teacher Education 46 Universities 46 Doctoral/Research Universities 50 Higher Education Institutions according to HEdA 52 Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts 55 Universities of Teacher Education 62 Educational Bodies Studying in Switzerland Why Study in Switzerland? Switzerland is an excellent location for living, studying, and working. Its cultural variety, beautiful landscape, and innovative environment offer first-class surroundings for both personal well-being and career advancement. Switzerland is one of the most competitive countries in the world and widely recognised internationally as a centre of excel- lence in education, research, and innovation. Great emphasis is placed on ensuring the autonomy of Swiss universities and re searchers, on fostering competition and quality, and on en- couraging a broad-minded outlook. Switzerland’s high-quality education system and its multicul- tural society mean that a large part of the population is fluent in several languages. English is widely spoken and used as a language of business, higher education, and research. Switzerland’s small size has favoured the emergence of well- developed research and development networks, whose expertise is continuously implemented in the economy and society. At the same time, Switzerland is part of the global community and maintains a worldwide network of cooperations and partner- ships in education and science. Common to the country’s richly diverse higher education system is a drive for uncompromising quality in teaching and research. Swiss universities play an active role in shaping the future with the necessary responsibility. So be a part of this quality! Welcome to Swiss universities! Studying in Switzerland · Why Study in Switzerland? 3 Facts and Figures1 Official Name Currency (April 2017) Education Political System Switzerland/ Swiss franc (CHF) Switzerland is a federal, democratic Swiss Confederation 1 CHF = 0.98 $ 20 % 15 % 72 % state. Each of the 26 cantons has its maturity vocational federal VET own constitution, parliament, govern- certificate baccalaureate diploma 1 CHF = 0.92 ¤ ment, and judicial system. Total Area 41 285 square kilometres. More Population (2016) than two thirds of the country’s territory are occupied by the Alps. 8.42 million Universities Including approximately 25 % resident a b c foreigners. More than two-thirds of 12+ 8 + 20 Economy the population live in urban areas. The main sectors include microtech- a doctoral/research universities nology, high-tech, biotechnology and b universities of applied sciences and arts pharmaceuticals, banking and insur- Location Major Cities (2015) c universities of teacher education Switzerland is situated in the heart ance, tourism and international of Europe and borders on France, organisations. The service sector Germany, Austria, the Principality of Students (2016) employs the largest number of people. Liechtenstein (FL), and Italy 244 104, including approximately 25 % The country has a flexible job market international students. and the unemployment rate is low. 391 359 194 565 168 620 130 015 133 897 CHF Bern Basel Zurich Geneva Lausanne Capital Expenditure on Education (2014) International Organisations 5.6 % Switzerland is home to various Languages (2015) international organisations, including the second largest UN office (ILO, UNCTAD, UNHCR, WHO, etc.), the Time Zone World Trade Organisation, the Red CET (UTC+1) Cross, the World Economic Forum, and the International Olympic Committee. as a percentage of GDP 63 % German (predominantly Swiss German), 23 % French, 8 % Italian, 0.5 % Romansh, English is widely spoken. 1 Statistical details: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (www.bfs.admin.ch). 4 Studying in Switzerland · Facts and Figures Studying in Switzerland · Facts and Figures 5 Studying in Switzerland 2 oriented training in various subject areas such as pre-primary education, Swiss Higher Education primary education, secondary education I and II, etc. Swiss higher education is divided into doctoral/research universi- Degree Levels ties, universities of applied sciences and arts, and universities of teacher Since 2006, all Swiss universities have been offering their degree education. courses in accordance with the Bologna system. They have adopted the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which aims to foster student Switzerland has 12 doctoral/research universities (10 cantonal mobility by ensuring the recognition of credits obtained elsewhere. The universities and 2 federal institutes of technology), 8 universities of applied nqf.ch-HS 3 qualifications framework defines and describes Swiss higher sciences and arts (including one private, state-recognised institution), education levels and the qualifications offered with a view to enhancing 20 universities of teacher education (14 independent institutions, 2 inte- national and international comparability. grated into universities of applied sciences, 2 integrated into cantonal The first-level degree awarded is the Bachelor’s. The standard universities, and 2 affiliated institutions), and several other state-funded duration of a full-time Bachelor’s degree course is three years (180 ECTS university institutions. credits). In the 2016/17 autumn semester, over 244 104 students were ma- The second-level degree awarded is the Master’s. Students seeking triculated at Swiss universities: of this total enrolment, 51 % were female admission to a Master’s programme must hold a Bachelor’s degree. Master’s and approximately 25 % were international students. 148 534 students were programmes deepen first-degree knowledge and enable students either to enrolled at universities, 75 098 at universities of applied sciences and arts, specialise in a particular field or to acquire interdisciplinary training. Mas- and 20 472 at universities of teacher education. ter’s programmes usually last three to four semesters and are awarded 90 The three types of university are each represented in German-, to 120 ECTS credits. French-, and Italian-speaking Switzerland. Please refer to page 24 Ω for The Doctorate or PhD is the highest academic degree awarded details on programme availability, campus locations, and tuition languages. under the Bologna system. Candidates seeking admission to doctoral studies must hold a Master’s degree from a doctoral/research university. Candidates able to demonstrate proven scientific qualifications may also Doctoral/Research Universities – Universities of Applied pursue doctoral studies with a Master’s degree from other types of higher Sciences and Arts/Universities of Teacher Education: education institutions. Research doctorate degrees are generally awarded Basic Research – Practice Orientation after 3–5 years of postgraduate research and the submission of a written The educational remit of Switzerland’s doctoral/research univer- thesis. Doctoral degrees are awarded by the 10 cantonal universities, the sities is to offer degree programmes on a high scientific and theory based 2 federal institutes of technology and 1 higher education institution level and to undertake basic research. The remit of the universities of (IHEID) according to the Higher Education Funding and Coordination applied sciences and arts and the universities of teacher education is to Act. provide scientific and professional education, to conduct applied research, and to promote cooperation with practice and industry. Many degree programmes are offered only at doctoral/research Further Education at Tertiary-Level-A universities, such as all humanities degrees, many science degrees, and Swiss universities also offer Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) some engineering degrees. Some degree programmes, such as landscape degrees (minimum 60 ECTS credits or one-year of full-time study). The architecture and various health sciences, are available only at universities MAS degree does not grant admission to doctoral degree programmes. of applied sciences and arts. The same applies to degrees in music, theatre, Admission to MAS programmes usually requires an academic degree (from film, art, and design. Universities of teacher education offer practice- a doctoral/research university, a university of applied sciences and arts, or a university of teacher education). 2 A part of this section is based on the brochure «Studieren in der Schweiz» (SDBB). 3 www.qualifikationsrahmen.ch 6 Studying in Switzerland · Swiss Higher Education Studying in Switzerland · Swiss Higher Education 7 Swiss Higher Education System Universities Master and Federal Bachelor (90/120/1804 Doctorate/PhD Institutes of (180 ECTS) ECTS) Technology Academic Maturity Upper Secondary Certificate Schools (12 years) Universities of Bachelor Master Teacher (180 ECTS) (90/120 ECTS) Education Primary and Specialised Specialised Lower Secondary Middle Schools 1 Baccalaureate 2 Further Education education 3 Apprentice- ship and Universities of Federal Vocational Bachelor Master Preparation for the Applied Baccalaureate (180 ECTS) (90/120 ECTS) Federal Vocational Sciences and Arts Baccalaureate 1 2 Holders of a specialised baccalaureate may access some UAS Bachelor’s programmes under certain predefined conditions. Candidates who hold a specialiced baccalaureate with a pedagogical orientation may