Universities of teacher education: Overview
 |  | Raising teacher training to tertiary level in Switzerland, concluded in 1995, introduced a reform that aims to address the new requirements of the teaching profession in the training stage, too. Two main goals are pursued with this reform: an increased professionalisation of teaching as well as the recognition of cantonal teaching diplomas throughout Switzerland. |
The training of teaching staff for the pre-school level, primary level as well as for the lower secondary level and the Matura schools is mainly carried out at universities of teacher education(PH), which possess the same status as a university of applied sciences (FH). Like other universities of applied sciences, their remit includes:
 | teaching (basic and advanced training) |
| applied research and development |
| services (counselling and other services) |
Basic and advanced training is provided on an academic basis and is both professionally and practically orientated.
In two cantons, the training of the teaching staff is performed at a university or tertiary institute (University of Freiburg for lower secondary level and upper secondary level; Université de Genève [FAPSE] for pre-school and primary school levels; Institut de formation des maîtres et maîtresses de l'enseignement secondaire [IFMES]: lower secondary level, upper secondary level).
Training of teaching staff
The 16 universities of teacher education (PH) are teaching institutes that are regulated and financed either by the cantons or inter-cantonally. For students from outside the respective cantons the fees are paid via the university agreements.
In two cantons, the training of the teaching staff is performed at a university or tertiary institute (University of Freiburg for lower secondary level and upper secondary level; Université de Genève [FAPSE] for pre-school and primary school levels; Institut de formation des maîtres et maîtresses de l'enseignement secondaire [IFMES]: lower secondary level, upper secondary level).
Training of teaching staff
The 16 universities of teacher education (PH) are teaching institutes that are regulated and financed either by the cantons or inter-cantonally. For students from outside the respective cantons the fees are paid via the university agreements.
According to the regulations of the "Recognition of Teachers Diplomas in School Orthopedagogy of 27 August 1998", the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) a teacher's diploma for regular classes or a Bachelor in a similar study area amounts to 90 to 120 ECTS points and is equivalent to a Master course. The training conveys knowledge, activity and personality related skills for teaching and education work with pupils that have special learning needs or behavioural difficulties.
Training in Logopedics and Psychomotor therapy
The regulations of the "Recognition of the University Diploma in Logopedics and Psychomotor therapy of 3 November 2000" issued by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) contains minimum demands for this training, which is offered at universities. The training comprises 180 ECTS points.
The qualification covers the following protected titles:
Training in Logopedics and Psychomotor therapy
The regulations of the "Recognition of the University Diploma in Logopedics and Psychomotor therapy of 3 November 2000" issued by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) contains minimum demands for this training, which is offered at universities. The training comprises 180 ECTS points.
The qualification covers the following protected titles:
| Dipl. Psychomotor therapist, EDK |
| Dipl. Logopedic, EDK. |
Teaching staff for vocational and specialist schools (Berufsfachschulen/Höhere Fachschulen)
Teaching staff that teach at basic and higher vocational and specialist schools undergo subject-specific, pedagogic and methodical-didactic training. Further education for teachers is not provided at universities of teacher education but at the Swiss Institute for Vocational Education (SIBP) and is regulated by the Confederation. In future, the training of those who are responsible for vocational training will be provided at the forthcoming federal institute for vocational education (Eidgenössisches Hochschulinstitut für Berufsbildung). The institute will offer degree courses for students with a university degree or with a certificate of higher vocational education. The degree course comprises 60 ECTS points.
The qualification covers the following protected titles:
Teaching staff that teach at basic and higher vocational and specialist schools undergo subject-specific, pedagogic and methodical-didactic training. Further education for teachers is not provided at universities of teacher education but at the Swiss Institute for Vocational Education (SIBP) and is regulated by the Confederation. In future, the training of those who are responsible for vocational training will be provided at the forthcoming federal institute for vocational education (Eidgenössisches Hochschulinstitut für Berufsbildung). The institute will offer degree courses for students with a university degree or with a certificate of higher vocational education. The degree course comprises 60 ECTS points.
The qualification covers the following protected titles:
| Dipl. Teacher of Higher Specialist Schools |
| Dipl. Vocational School Teacher |
The completion of the Master courses with 90 to 120 ECTS points leads to a protected title of "Master of Science in Vocational Education".
| Further information on universities of teacher education |
 | Developments |
| Statistical data |
| Terms of admission |
| Course contents |
| Organisation |
| Further education |
| Institutions responsible for teacher training colleges |
| University of teacher education |
