Universities: How are studies organised?
 |  | In connection with the creation of a common European field of education, a two tier study model is being introduced at the universities with Bachelor and Master certificates. The first Bachelor courses were introduced in the universities for the winter semester 2001/2002. Studies consist of two phases: the Bachelor and the Master phase. Together they replace the Diploma and Licentiate studies. |
Bachelor
The Bachelor course serves to impart the fundamental academic education and methodological knowledge and runs over a period of four years (full-time study). The Bachelor degree is an independent academic degree and creates the preconditions for:
The Bachelor course serves to impart the fundamental academic education and methodological knowledge and runs over a period of four years (full-time study). The Bachelor degree is an independent academic degree and creates the preconditions for:
 | continuing studies in the scope of a Master course at the home university |
| continuing studies in the scope of a Master course at another university, |
| admission to an academically orientated professional field, |
| changing the direction of studies. |
Master
The Master course enables in-depth studies in a chosen subject and first independent research experience.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
Study achievements are measured in accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). ECTS is a European wide, recognised system for the crediting, transfer and accumulation of educational experience. The points of the ECTS reflect the quantitative workload. It is assumed that a complete student year is equivalent to 60 ECTS points. 180 ECTS points are required to acquire a Bachelor diploma, 90 to 120 ECTS points are required for a Master diploma.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees amount to between CHF 500 and 4000 per semester (depending on the university).
Qualification / title
In the scope of its coordination mandate, the Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS) has passed binding guidelines for a uniform description of the university degrees in the scope of the Bologna reform. The application of a uniform terminology of the degrees complies with the goal of the Bologna declaration to introduce a system to facilitate the recognition and comparison of university degrees. The new diplomas are written in English and the national language. In all language versions, the English version "Bachelor" or "Master" are used in the first title element.
The Master course enables in-depth studies in a chosen subject and first independent research experience.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
Study achievements are measured in accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). ECTS is a European wide, recognised system for the crediting, transfer and accumulation of educational experience. The points of the ECTS reflect the quantitative workload. It is assumed that a complete student year is equivalent to 60 ECTS points. 180 ECTS points are required to acquire a Bachelor diploma, 90 to 120 ECTS points are required for a Master diploma.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees amount to between CHF 500 and 4000 per semester (depending on the university).
Qualification / title
In the scope of its coordination mandate, the Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS) has passed binding guidelines for a uniform description of the university degrees in the scope of the Bologna reform. The application of a uniform terminology of the degrees complies with the goal of the Bologna declaration to introduce a system to facilitate the recognition and comparison of university degrees. The new diplomas are written in English and the national language. In all language versions, the English version "Bachelor" or "Master" are used in the first title element.
| Institutions responsible for universities |
 | Rectors Conference of the Swiss Universities CRUS |
| State Secretary for Education and Research SBF |
| Universities |
