National approach to Higher Education in Switzerland

Switzerland is a federal and multilingual country; therefore the education system is not unified. There is no Ministry of Education at national level. The main responsibility for education lies with the cantons. The authority which coordinates education at national level is the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK). The swiss Confederation has two bodies responsible for higher education: the State Secretariat for Education and Research SER (universities, research in general) and the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology OPET (Universities of applied sciences and vocational education and training).

The following recognised institutions provide higher Education in Switzerland: 10 universities („Universities“), 2 Federal Institutes of Technology, 8 universities of applied sciences and 16 universities of teacher education. For further information and the addresses of the websites of these universities, please visit: http://www.crus.ch/information-programme/recognition-swiss-enic/recognised-or-accredited-swiss-higher-education-institutions.html?l=2

The introduction of the new Bachelor and Master studies according to the „Bologna Declaration“ began in Switzerland in 2003. Currently almost all courses apply the Bologna standards. Some institutions already offer Masters degrees and until 2010 all institutions of higher education should comply with the Bologna criteria.

Depending on the region, the courses are taught in German, French, Italian or Rumanch. There are also a few courses taught in English.

E-Learning supported teaching is increasing.

Universities and Federal Institutes of Technology

These institutions benefit from a great autonomy regarding academic, financial and organisational matters. Teaching and research are their main tasks. The Swiss University Conference (SUC) is the body which coordinates everything at national level.

5 out of the 10 cantonal universities are located in the German-speaking part of Switzerland (Basel, Bern, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Zurich). The University of Fribourg is bilingual as is the Canton of Fribourg.

The universities of Lausanne, Geneva and Neuchâtel are located in the French-speaking part of the country. The Università della Svizzera Italiana is located in the Italian-speaking Ticino region. The two Federal Institutes of Technology are located in Zurich and Lausanne.

On the Website www.crus.ch under „Study in Switzerland“ „Further information“ you will find the brochure „Studying in Switzerland. Universities“.

Universities of applied sciences

The universities of applied sciences have to provide training which focuses on practice and appliability for people who have completed professional education. In Switzerland there are 7 public universities of applied sciences regrouped at the regional level, (in 5 of them the language of instruction is German, in 1 the language of instruction is French and in 1 the language of instruction is Italian) and 1 private university of applied sciences.

On the Website www.crus.ch under „Study in Switzerland“ „Further information“ you will find the brochure „Studying in Switzerland. Universities of Applied Sciences“.

Universities of teacher Education

The 16 cantonal and intercantonal universities of teacher Education offer teacher training for pre-school, primary school, secondary school and highschool level. They have the same status as the Universities of applied sciences and are therefore also working in the field of research. The language of instruction depending on the region is German, French, Italian or Rumantsch.

On the Website www.crus.ch under „Study in Switzerland“ „Further information“ you will find the brochure „Studying in Switzerland. Universities of Teacher Education“.