Tertiary level - Higher education institutions

There are three types of higher education institutions: universities and institutes of technology (UIT), universities of applied sciences (UAS) and universities of teacher education (UTE). UAS and UTE offer courses which mainly have a practical orientation. All higher education institutions award bachelor and master degrees following the application of guidelines from the Bologna declaration. A doctorate may only be obtained at UIT.

The proportion of qualifications awarded to students of foreign origin varies greatly by the type of higher education and level of graduation. This is especially the case for foreign nationals educated abroad prior to starting their studies at a Swiss higher education institution. In 2022, this category of students were awarded 57% of doctorates and 37% of master degrees at universities of applied sciences. In contrast, at the universities of teacher education, less than 10% of qualifications were awarded to this population.

Graduates by type of institutions and level of graduation, since 2005
  2005 2010 2015 2020 2022
Universities and institutes of technology          
Bachelor 2 926 11 536 14 292 15 396 15 537
First universitiy degrees and diplomas 9 187 3 326  495  110 96
Master 1 290 7 961 13 440 14 684 16 025
Degrees of continuing education and training* 1 692 1 767 1 677 1 659 1 773
Doctorate 3 100 3 593 3 853 4 424 4 611
Universities of applied sciences          
Diploma 6 871 1 050  0  0 0
Bachelor  0 8 528 12 678 13 982 14 775
Master  0 1 280 2 721 3 471 4 268
Degrees of continuing education and training 2 436 2 691 2 400 2 345 2 445
Universities of teacher education          
Diploma 1 018 974 1 048 1 088 1 145
Bachelor 684 2 037 3 219 3 202 3 436
Master 0 801 1 110 1 444 1 606
Degrees of continuing education and training 17 34 169 60 82
*incl. deepening and specialisation's studies Source: FSO - SHIS-studex

Since the Bologna reform, bachelor and master degrees account for the main qualifications awarded by higher education institutions. At the universities and institutes of technology, master degrees have replaced the traditional "licence/diplôme" study courses. The bachelor degree is the first final qualification awarded but most university students continue their studies to master degree level. Only universities and institutes of technology are able to award doctorates.
At universities of applied sciences, bachelor degrees are the final qualification, replacing the previous "diplôme". The master degree programmes offered by universities of applied sciences are currently expanding.
The universities of teacher education are an exception as the final qualification depends on the prospective teacher's level of teaching.

Further information

Tables

Statistical sources and concepts

On this topic

Universities and institutes of technology

10 cantonal universities, 2 federal institutes of technology and 2 other institutions, 20 fields of study

Universities of applied sciences

8 universities of applied sciences, 12 fields of study

Universities of teacher education

Around 20 universities of teacher education, 11 branches of study

Contact

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