Universities of applied sciences: How are studies organised?
 |  | The universities of applied sciences (FH) can offer degree studies on two levels: the first stage finishes with the Bachelor and the second with the Master degree. |
Bachelor
The student is taught general education and fundamental knowledge at the Bachelor level and generally, the student is prepared for a profession-related qualification. Generally, the Bachelor course takes three years of full-time studies and four years part-time (in combination with occupational work).
Master
At Master level, the universities teach more specific, specialised and research supported content, preparing the student for advanced profession-related qualification. Particular importance is to be attached to an interdisciplinary structuring of the course and an applied scientific approach. . Master study courses at the universities of applied sciences will be offered in small numbers from 2008.
ECTS
The study achievements are evaluated in accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). ECTS is a European wide recognised system for the granting, transferring and accumulation of educational experience. The points of the ECTS reflect the quantitative workload where it is assumed that a complete student year is equivalent to 60 ECTS points. 180 ECTS points are required to acquire a Bachelor degree, 90 to 120 ECTS points are required for a Master degree.
The average study fees are approx. CHF 500 to 1000 per semester and may be higher depending on the universities of applied sciences (FH) concerned.
Course completion / title
A degree exam must be sat at the end of courses at universities of applied sciences. Every university of applied sciences regulates the admission to the degree exam and its content itself.
The following protected titles can be awarded by the universities of applied sciences for a recognised federal Bachelor or Master degree:
The student is taught general education and fundamental knowledge at the Bachelor level and generally, the student is prepared for a profession-related qualification. Generally, the Bachelor course takes three years of full-time studies and four years part-time (in combination with occupational work).
Master
At Master level, the universities teach more specific, specialised and research supported content, preparing the student for advanced profession-related qualification. Particular importance is to be attached to an interdisciplinary structuring of the course and an applied scientific approach. . Master study courses at the universities of applied sciences will be offered in small numbers from 2008.
ECTS
The study achievements are evaluated in accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). ECTS is a European wide recognised system for the granting, transferring and accumulation of educational experience. The points of the ECTS reflect the quantitative workload where it is assumed that a complete student year is equivalent to 60 ECTS points. 180 ECTS points are required to acquire a Bachelor degree, 90 to 120 ECTS points are required for a Master degree.
The average study fees are approx. CHF 500 to 1000 per semester and may be higher depending on the universities of applied sciences (FH) concerned.
Course completion / title
A degree exam must be sat at the end of courses at universities of applied sciences. Every university of applied sciences regulates the admission to the degree exam and its content itself.
The following protected titles can be awarded by the universities of applied sciences for a recognised federal Bachelor or Master degree:
 | Bachelor of Science or Master of Science [Name of the FH] in [Description of the course] with specialisation in [Description of the area of specialisation] |
| Bachelor of Arts or Master of Science [Name of the FH] in [Description of the course] with specialisation in [Description of the area of specialisation] |
| Institutions responsible for universities of applied Sciences |
| Universities of applied sciences |
