Swiss - Higher Education Institutions

Switzerland known for its beauty has an equally exhilarating education system. Diversity of languages, cultures and history in Switzerland, the Swiss Constitution guarantees sovereignty to the country's 26 cantons in the area of education, the Federal Government and cantons share responsibilities of higher education and the tertiary level. The Confederation is responsible both - advanced vocational training and for the universities of applied sciences.

In addition, it has jurisdiction over the two Federal Institutes of Technology and regulates and promotes research through the Swiss National Science Foundation (FNS). Each of the 10 cantons is responsible for its university. Cantonal universities receive financial support from the Confederation and from those cantons which do not have their own university.

Higher education in Switzerland comprises of academic studies at the 10 cantonal universities and the 2 Federal Institutes of Technology, at the more professionally-oriented universities of applied sciences and at the universities of teacher education. A few more University-level institutions are considered public institutions of higher education.

With their different approaches, and research focus, along with diversity of language, the 10 cantonal universities and the 2 Federal Institutes of Technology are compelled for quality in teaching and research. This results in their time and again being ranked among the top universities of the world.

• University of St. Gallen (HSG) (St. Gallen), German-speaking
• University of Zurich (Zürich), German-speaking
• ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich) (Zürich), German-speaking
• University of Basel (Basel), German-speaking
• University of Berne (Berne), German-speaking
• University of Fribourg (Fribourg), French- and German-speaking
• University of Geneva (Geneva), French-speaking
• EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne) (Lausanne), French-speaking
• University of Neuchâtel (Neuchâtel), French-speaking
• University of Lausanne (Lausanne), French-speaking
• University of Lucerne (Lucerne), German-speaking
• Università della Svizzera Italiana (Lugano), Italian-speaking
  

Various Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen)

• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, (Lucerne), German-speaking
• Zurich University of Applied Sciences, (Zurich), German-speaking
• Berne University of Applied Sciences, (Berne, Biel/Bienne, Burgdorf), German- and French-speaking
  

Known for superior education, Switzerland is an ideal location for higher studies and research. Switzerland is continuously evolving its education system according to Bologna system in order to comply with the globalization and growing partnerships with other countries. The aim is to create a "European arena for higher education" by coordinating the structure and duration of degrees and facilitating the study attainment and performance of students in European universities.

The various universities offer courses at Bachelor, Master and Doctoral levels.

For list of programs offered by Universities in English. Click here

Bachelor Programs

The Bachelor's degree is a pre-requisite for admission to the Master's degree. It can in some cases lead directly to a Master of Advanced Studies. However, a Bachelor's degree is not sufficient for enrollment in a Doctoral program, which requires the attainment of a Master's degree as well. 

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (B Sc)
• Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng)
• Bachelor of Theology (B Th)
• Bachelor of Law (B Law)
• Bachelor of Medicine (B Med)
• Bachelor of Dental Medicine (B Dent Med)
• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (B Vet Med)
  

Master Programs

After successfully completing bachelor degree, one can enroll for master's degree. Each university decides as to whether a Bachelor's degree obtained in a foreign country gives its holder eligibility to Master's degree - with or without entrance examinations. The university may set additional requirements, equally applicable to all candidates, for admission to specialized Master's programs.

The Swiss universities offer the following Master's degrees:

• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (M Sc)
• Master of Engineering (M Eng)
• Master of Theology (M Th)
• Master of Law (M Law)
• Master of Medicine (M Med)
• Master of Dental Medicine (M Dent Med)
• Master of Veterinary Medicine (M Vet Med)
  

Doctoral Programs

A doctorate degree is the highest academic level degree. Research doctorate degrees are generally awarded after 3-5 years of postgraduate research and study, and submission of a thesis. A Master’s degree - is the main pre-requisites for admission to a doctoral program. In Switzerland, only the twelve state-run university institutions of academic learning (10 cantonal universities, plus 2 Federal Institutes of Technology) are allowed to award doctoral degrees.

The doctorate degrees are generally awarded after 3 to 5 years of postgraduate research and study, and finally submission of a thesis. Professional doctorates are awarded in the professional disciplines of, for example, law or medicine.

Master of Advanced Studies

High quality education remains as important, be it primary, secondary, higher, or vocational training and education. In present times learning is a lifelong process essential for personal and professional growth.

The Swiss universities run several programs of continuing education in different fields and offer various diplomas. The DAS program offers thorough training in a specific field and gives access to further qualification in one's profession.

The management programs (MAS/MBA) are the only academic programs which offer degrees. The programs 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

Note: The Master in Advanced Studies does not give right of entry to doctoral programs.

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