Universities of teacher education: What is new?
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University landscape
After expiry of the university promotion law, a new law is to be passed at federal level covering all universities and colleges (universities, universities of applied sciences including the universities of teacher education). A joint university conference incorporating confederation and cantons is planned for governing the entire "university landscape" system on the basis of a new education article in the federal constitution. This will be the sole public-sector regulatory body.
After expiry of the university promotion law, a new law is to be passed at federal level covering all universities and colleges (universities, universities of applied sciences including the universities of teacher education). A joint university conference incorporating confederation and cantons is planned for governing the entire "university landscape" system on the basis of a new education article in the federal constitution. This will be the sole public-sector regulatory body.
The new university legislation has the following goals:
| Creation of a uniform Swiss university and research landscape | |
| Strengthening of overall governance | |
| Standardisation and simplification of the financial regulations to enable improvements in the quality of teaching, research and services | |
| Creation of a mechanism for improving task distribution between the universities |
Two tier study model according to Bologna
The Swiss Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulrat) of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) issued guidelines for the implementation of the Bologna Declaration to the universities of applied sciences (FH) and the Universities of teacher education (PH) on the 5 December 2002. These guidelines secure co-ordination of the extensive study reforms initiated throughout Europe with the Bologna Declaration of 1999 throughout Switzerland. All study courses must be converted to the new two tier study model before 2010. The first study stage will be completed with the Bachelor degree and the second with the Master degree.
With the two tier study model Bachelor / Master, a system is introduced that facilitates the recognition and comparison of university degrees. A point system is to be established to calculate comparable periods of study and measures will be introduced to remove the mobility restraints and to promote European cooperation with regard to quality assurance.
The Swiss Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulrat) of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) issued guidelines for the implementation of the Bologna Declaration to the universities of applied sciences (FH) and the Universities of teacher education (PH) on the 5 December 2002. These guidelines secure co-ordination of the extensive study reforms initiated throughout Europe with the Bologna Declaration of 1999 throughout Switzerland. All study courses must be converted to the new two tier study model before 2010. The first study stage will be completed with the Bachelor degree and the second with the Master degree.
With the two tier study model Bachelor / Master, a system is introduced that facilitates the recognition and comparison of university degrees. A point system is to be established to calculate comparable periods of study and measures will be introduced to remove the mobility restraints and to promote European cooperation with regard to quality assurance.

