Higher vocational education: How is it organised?
 |  | Vocational and higher vocational exams (Berufs- und höhere Fachprüfungen) The educational institutes, the related professional organisations or the public or private schools that offer courses regulate the programme, period and training levels, as well as the exam modalities. The courses are usually carried out on the job. The vocational exam is completed with a federal certificate (eidgenössischer Fachausweis), the higher vocational exam with a diploma. |
Higher specialist schools (Höhere Fachschulen)
The full time education runs over a period of two years including the practical work, the part-time course (combined with practical work) takes at least three years. For part-time courses an occupation in the relevant field constituting 50% of the course is required.
A minimum number of learning hours is required. The Federal Office for Vocational Education and Technology (OPET) apply the ECVET system (European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training): the learning achievements required are converted to a recognised credit point system on the basis of the learning hours.
The education providers are responsible for the selection of the practical training companies in the courses combined with practical training. The practical training is competence orientated and is monitored by professionals and stand under the supervision of the education provider. Tuition in the national languages of Switzerland and in English is recognised.
The subsequent qualification process usually consists of a practical assignment or project and an oral or written exam. Further demands are regulated in the curriculum.
Protected title
The titles awarded by higher specialist schools that are recognised by the Confederation are protected by law: in the diploma the name of the course is stated together with the title "dipl." and with the supplement "HF". The title can be supplemented with the description of the field of occupation.
The full time education runs over a period of two years including the practical work, the part-time course (combined with practical work) takes at least three years. For part-time courses an occupation in the relevant field constituting 50% of the course is required.
A minimum number of learning hours is required. The Federal Office for Vocational Education and Technology (OPET) apply the ECVET system (European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training): the learning achievements required are converted to a recognised credit point system on the basis of the learning hours.
The education providers are responsible for the selection of the practical training companies in the courses combined with practical training. The practical training is competence orientated and is monitored by professionals and stand under the supervision of the education provider. Tuition in the national languages of Switzerland and in English is recognised.
The subsequent qualification process usually consists of a practical assignment or project and an oral or written exam. Further demands are regulated in the curriculum.
Protected title
The titles awarded by higher specialist schools that are recognised by the Confederation are protected by law: in the diploma the name of the course is stated together with the title "dipl." and with the supplement "HF". The title can be supplemented with the description of the field of occupation.
