SwissCommunity Why there are different types of universities Swiss universities are well placed in international rankings, and some are among the best in the world. There are three different types of higher education institutions: universities, universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education. They are all equivalent, but still different in their university orientation. All universities in Switzerland, except for one university of applied sciences, are public institutions. They offer study programmes organised according to the Bologna model and the ECTS credits system, on which 49 European countries have agreed. The study cycle is therefore divided into several successive stages: Bachelor, Master and doctorate/PhD. The basic studies, i.e. the Bachelor’s degree programme, generally lasts six semesters with 180 ECTS credits. The subsequent Master’s programme usually lasts three to four semesters with 90 to 120 ECTS. The language of instruction at Bachelor’s level is usually that of the region in which the university is located. In contrast, Master’s programmes are often bilingual or in English. Most degree programmes start in September. The application deadline is usually 30 April, with a few exceptions such as medicine or special degree programmes at universities of applied sciences. The prerequisite for admission is a Swiss Matura certificate or an equivalent foreign diploma. The universities set country-specific standards for foreign diplomas, which can be found at revue.link/requirements. University – University of Applied Sciences – University of Teacher Education The ten Universities offer degree programmes in law and economics, mathematics and natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, and conduct basic research. They are spread throughout Switzerland: in German-speaking Switzerland in St. Gallen, Zurich, Basel, Berne, Lucerne; in French- speaking Switzerland in Neuchâtel, Lausanne, Geneva; and in Italian-speaking Switzerland there is the Università della Svizzera Italiana. The University of Fribourg is German and French-speaking. The Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology ETH and EPF are located in Zurich and Lausanne. They are specialised in engineering, mathematics and natural sciences. The nine Universities of Applied Sciences comprise numerous institutes offering practice-oriented degree programmes in numerous fields of study. The fields of health, social sciences, business administration, educationsuisse, education in Switzerland, Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Berne, Switzerland Tel. +41 31 356 61 04; info@educationsuisse.ch; www.educationsuisse.ch innovative technologies, music and art are particularly well regarded. They are good alternatives for students who want a stronger practical orientation in their studies. Some universities of applied sciences also offer Bachelor’s degree programmes purely in English. There are also smaller and larger Universities of Teacher Education throughout Switzerland, which train future teachers at all school levels. RUTH VON GUNTEN Educationsuisse offers counselling to all young Swiss Abroad on all matters related to education in Switzerland. One of the universities standing for Swiss educational diversity: the Università della Svizzera Italiana, here at the Lugano site. Photo: press service Università della Svizzera Italiana The language of instruction at Bachelor’s level is usually that of the region in which the university is located. For these students at the Università della Svizzera Italiana, this means predominantly Italian. Photo press service Università della Svizzera Italiana 30 Swiss Review / January 2024 / No.1
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