Preparation for the federal professional diploma examination

In 2022/23, almost 18 200 students were enrolled in a preparatory course.¹ 37% of them were women and 11% were of foreign nationality. The federal professional diploma examination is aimed at initial specialisation and enhancement of knowledge following vocational education. Students who pass this are awarded a federal professional diploma, the qualification usually required for admission to the advanced federal professional examination.

Students preparing for the federal professional diploma examination: change since 2005/06
	2005/06	2010/11	2015/16	2020/21	2022/23
Total	11 829	16 421	18 900	19 078	18 201
Female (%)	40.2	38.7	36.9	38.1	37.1
Foreign (%)	7.6	9.3	10.5	11.0	11.1

Source: FSO – Statistics on pupils and students (SDL)
Data as of: February 2024

The number of students enrolled in a preparatory course for a federal professional diploma examination saw a increase between 2005/06 and 2022/23 (+54%). The proportion of foreign students remained quite stable during the period under observation (between 7% and 11% of students). With regard to the proportion of women, it remained stable at between 37% and 42% of students.

^{1 Students are not completely surveyed because the preparations to federal exams are not formally regulated. They often take place in modular trainings, which are only surveyed if the single module corresponds to at least half a school-year (full time equivalent).}

During the 2022/23 academic year, almost 43% of the 18 201 students preparing for a federal professional diploma examination were enrolled in courses in the fields of Management and administration (19%), Wholesale and retail sale (12%) and Accounting and taxation (12%). The distribution of students by gender varied greatly between the different fields.