Higher Education Institutions in Switzerland

Higher Education Institutions in Switzerland

Higher education institutions (HEI) in Switzerland comprise two equivalent establishments with different tasks: universities and universities of applied sciences. The former are active in particular in fundamental research as the basis for teaching. The latter focus more directly on professional activity and applied research and development. Universities of teacher education have the task of training their students to become qualified teachers. Universities The universities comprise ten cantonal universities and the two federal institutes of technology (ETH), ETH Zurich and ETH Lausanne. The cantonal universities fall under the responsibility of the particular canton in which they are located. They are financed by the cantons and receive additional federal contributions. The two ETH establishments are entirely financed by the federal authorities. The study courses are structured in 3 parts leading to bachelor s, master s and PhD (doctorate) degrees. To be admitted to an academic university, students must have a maturity certificate or an equivalent educational diploma. Universities of applied sciences In Switzerland, there are seven public universities of applied sciences (UAS), each financed by one or more cantons. In addition, there are two private universities of applied sciences. The Swiss federal authorities and cantons organise the system of UAS together. They are committed to ensuring high quality in research and education and providing the universities of applied sciences with ideal conditions for their progression. The universities of applied sciences offer courses leading to bachelor s and master s degrees. In principle, students who have completed an occupational apprenticeship with a specialised maturity certificate are entitled to enrol for a bachelor s course at a UAS. Holders of a maturity certificate must produce evidence of one year s practical experience (exception: universities of teacher education). Universities of teacher education In Switzerland, teacher training is mostly given at the universities of teacher education (UTE), which have the same status as universities of applied sciences. 2

Doktorat Doctorate/Ph. D. Weiterbildung/Further Education of Advanced Studies ( 60 ECTS) Diploma of Advanced Studies ( 30 ECTS) Certificate of Advanced Studies ( 10 ECTS) Main differences between the profiles of universities and universities of applied sciences at a glance: Dr. med. Universities Universities of applied sciences Lizentiat Diplom (4 6 Years) (90/120/180 ECTS) (90/120 ECTS) (90/120 ECTS) Admission Maturity certificate or equivalent diploma at secondary level II Occupational apprenticeship and specialised maturity certificate (180 ECTS) (180 ECTS) (180 ECTS) Courses Doctorate Research Fundamental research Applied research en + Eidgenössische Technische Hochschulen Universities + Federal Institutes of Technology Pädagogische Hochschulen Universities of Teacher Education Fachhochschulen Universities of Applied Sciences Postgraduate studies Certificate of advanced CAS, DAS and MAS studies (CAS), Diploma of advanced studies (DAS), of advanced studies (MAS). Gymnasiale Maturität (12 Jahre) Maturity Certificate (12 Years) Üblicher Weg Normal Path Berufsmaturität/Fachmaturität Professional/Specialized Maturity Certificate Es werden zusätzliche Leistungen verlangt Additional achievement required At universities of applied sciences, a bachelor s degree is the standard degree and qualifies the holder to take up a profession. At universities, a master s degree is the norm. It provides the expertise needed to pursue a particular branch of science. 3

Quality assurance at Swiss higher education institutions By signing the Bologna Declaration, Switzerland opted to support the systematic implementation of quality assurance and accreditation procedure systems. Quality assurance for universities, universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education is currently governed by separate laws. The accreditation standards which apply to universities and universities of applied sciences are broadly identical. They reflect in particular differences in profile such as the focus of the courses on professional practice, orientation of research, qualifications of the teaching staff, etc. 4

For the universities, including the two federal institutes of technology, the criteria set out in the Federal Law on Financial Aid to Universities are decisive. This act stipulates optional accreditation at institutionional and programme level. However, a periodical review of the quality assurance system as part of a quality audit is compulsory. Unlike accreditation procedures, quality audits do not lead to a decision. They are concluded with a report on the status of the quality assurance measures. Quality audits form the basis for federal subsidy contributions. Audit reports are addressed to the appropriate Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER). They are also sent to interested stakeholders for information and thus influence the debate on university financing in the cantonal parliaments. The universities of applied sciences are governed by the act on these universities which stipulates compulsory institutional accreditation and accreditation of each study course. Quality assurance at the UAS is a joint task of the Confederation, cantons and universities of applied sciences themselves. The EAER is the accreditation body responsible. It may assign the screening of applications for accreditation to recognised agencies. Acting on behalf of the EAER, these agencies then examine whether the requisite quality standards are met and the stipulated goal achieved. The universities of teacher education are governed solely by cantonal law. Study courses at the UTE must be acknowledged by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK). Under the applicable law, there is no provision for quality assurance at institutional level. 5

Facts and Figures Universities Lage und Grösse der Universitären Hochschulen in der Schweiz, 2011 Situation et taille des hautes écoles universitaires en Suisse, en 2011 2005/2006 2011/2012 Anteil der Studierenden nach Nationalität und Bildungsherkunft Répartition des étudiant-e-s selon la nationalité et le lieu de scolarisation Schweizer Suisses Ausländer - Vorbildung in der Schweiz Etrangers scolarisés en Suisse Ausländer - Vorbildung im Ausland Etrangers scolarisés à l étranger Kanton mit universitärer Hochschule Canton avec une haute école universitaire NE VD Université de Lausanne Université de Neuchâtel Université de Fribourg FR JU Basel SO Bern BE BL BS LU AG Luzern ETH Zürich OW NW SH ZG ZH Zürich UR SZ TG SG GL AR GR AI St. Gallen Anzahl Studierende Nombre d étudiant-e-s 26 230 10 000 5 000 2 582 Students Licenciates/Diplomas s degrees s degrees 112,375 55,163 25,231 45,424 26,228 6,086 36,109 16,528 6,568 6,732 2,628 1,868 134,837 67,617 37,261 5,288 3,177 882 68,850 35,201 12,632 32,078 16,340 9,386 GE Université de Genève EPF Lausanne VS TI Università della Svizzera italiana PhD/Doctorate 17,232 6,954 7,624 22,013 9,776 11,044 0 25 50 km Raumgliederung: Kantone Niveau géographique: Cantons Schweiz / Suisse Anzahl Studierende / Nombre d étudiant-e-s: davon andere universitäre Institutionen (nicht dargestellt) / dont autres institutions universitaires (non représenté): 134 837 772 Professors 2,728 1,167 3,374 598 1,669 Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Confédération suisse Confederazione Svizzera Confederaziun svizra Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Département fédéral de l intérieur DFI Bundesamt für Statistik BFS Office fédéral de la statistique OFS Source: SHIS, BFS BFS, ThemaKart, Neuchâtel 2011 Relief: swisstopo, Wabern / kc-b-15.37 Quelle: SHIS, BFS Source: SIUS, OFS BFS, ThemaKart, Neuchâtel 2011 - Relief: swisstopo,wabern / kc-b-15.37 OFS, ThemaKart, Neuchâtel 2011 - Relief: swisstopo,wabern / kc-b-15.37 Lecturers 2,388 664 3,107 901 1,074 6

Universities of applied sciences (including universities of teacher education) Lage und Grösse der Fachhochschulen in der Schweiz, 2011 Situation et taille des hautes écoles spécialisées en Suisse, en 2011 2005/2006 2011/2012 Anteil der Studierenden nach Nationalität und Bildungsherkunft Répartition des étudiant-e-s selon la nationalité et le lieu de scolarisation Schweizer Suisses Ausländer - Vorbildung in der Schweiz Etrangers scolarisés en Suisse Ausländer - Vorbildung im Ausland Etrangers scolarisés à l étranger GE VD 0 25 50 km Raumgliederung: Kantone Niveau géographique: Cantons NE Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale / Santé-social romande (HES-SO) FR JU Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) BE BS SO BL Berner Fachhochschule (BFH) / Haute école spécialisée bernoise VS AG Zürcher Fachhochschule (ZFH) LU NW Fachhochschule Zentralschweiz (FHZ) OW SH ZG UR ZH SZ Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI) TG Kalaidos Fachhochschule (Kal FH) AR TI GL SG Fachhochschule Ostschweiz (FHO) GR AI Schweiz / Suisse Anzahl Studierende / Nombre d étudiant-e-s: davon andere PH/FH (nicht dargestellt) / dont autres HEP/HES (non représenté): Anzahl Studierende Nombre d étudiant-e-s 17 418 10 000 5 000 1 695 79 018 10 760 Students Licenciates/Diplomas 's degrees 's degrees Professors Lecturers 54,140 24,062 8,128 33,579 14,431 6,018 13,825 7,655 1,279 723 573 25 79,018 40,482 13,337 2,278 1,186 319 59,347 29,318 8,249 9,573 5,510 2,992 3,447 4,476 1,392 1,047 1,821 2,519 1,025 491 Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Confédération suisse Confederazione Svizzera Confederaziun svizra Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDI Département fédéral de l intérieur DFI Bundesamt für Statistik BFS Office fédéral de la statistique OFS Quelle: SHIS, BFS Source: SIUS, OFS BFS, ThemaKart, Neuchâtel 2011 - Relief: swisstopo,wabern / kc-b-15.38 OFS, ThemaKart, Neuchâtel 2011 - Relief: swisstopo,wabern / kc-b-15.38 Source: SHIS, BFS BFS, ThemaKart, Neuchâtel 2011 Relief: swisstopo, Wabern / kc-b-15.38 7

Center of Accreditation and Quality Assurance of the Swiss Universities (OAQ) Falkenplatz 9 CH-3001 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 380 11 50 Fax +41 (0)31 380 11 55 E-mail info@oaq.ch www.oaq.ch