Advanced federal diploma of higher education

In 2022, some 2 675 advanced federal diplomas of higher education were awarded after an advanced federal professional diploma examination. This examination enables professionals to obtain an expert qualification in their area of activity and to prepare for managing a business. The degree awarded after passing the examination is the advanced federal diploma of higher education.

Advanced federal diplomas of higher education, change in numbers since 2000
	2000	2010	2015	2020	2022
Total	3316	3167	2707	2538	2675
Male	2826	2505	2039	1844	1747
Female	490	662	668	694	928

Source: FSO – Statistics on certificates (SBA)
Data as of: June 2023

The number of advanced federal diplomas of higher education evolved only little between 2000 and 2022. Despite a marked progression, the proportion of women in advanced federal professional diploma examinations is only about 35%.

The five educational fields with the most diplomas (Accounting and taxation, Wholesale and retail sales, Traditional and complementary medicine and therapy, Building and civil engineering, Crop and livestock production) account for more than half of all advanced federal professional diploma examinations. As can be expected for the health related sectors, the women dominate clearly the fourth field. Other areas for instance like Electricity and energy or Building and civil engineering present a clear male dominance, as in the vocational education and training.