Colleges of higher education diploma

In 2022, some 10 359 diplomas from colleges of higher education were awarded. These colleges offer courses of study that are recognized by the Confederation. The creation of courses for the various subjects and their recognition by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is based on the core curriculum governing training and education. These are binding for all providers of education and training. The diploma awarded at the end of training is recognized at federal level.

Colleges of higher education diplomas, change in numbers since 2000
  2000 2010 2015 2020 2022
Total 3 249 7 337 8 461 9 862 10 359
  Male 2 414 3 774 4 396 4 897 5 175
  Female  835 3 563 4 065 4 965 5 184
Source: FSO – Statistics on certificates (SBA)
Data as of: June 2023

The number of colleges of higher education diplomas has almost tripled between 2000 and 2022. The main reason for this was the recognition of specialised studies in the field of health. This led to a more than fivefold increase in the number of women graduating from a college of higher education over this period. The share of women overall rose from 26% (2000) to almost 50% (2022).

In 2022, the greatest number by far of diplomas from colleges of higher education were awarded in the educational field of Nursing and midwifery. In second place came Child care and youth services, followed by Management and administration. As for vocational education and training, studies in nursing, in the field of medical services as well as working with children and young people are very female-dominated; diplomas for studies in building, IT as well as engineering or mechanics are predominantly acquired by men.

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