Continuing education: how are studies organised?
 |  | The structures of the courses and studies, the time required, forms of certification etc. vary greatly and depend on the selected continuing education course. Since the mid-1990s, modular education has taken hold in many areas of continuing education in Switzerland. Modules are self-contained units, which can be attended individually or which, in combination with other modules, can lead to a specific professional continuing education qualification. The modular system is an open system with high permeability. |
Qualifications / certificates
Most continuing education activities do not lead to a certificate of graduation. Generally, the participants receive confirmation of attendance.
On the upper secondary level, adults can earn the matura certificate, the specialised middle school certificate, the federal certificate of vocational education and training, and the federal vocational baccalaureate.
On the tertiary level, private or officially recognised diplomas or certificates can be attained. The use of portfolios (e.g. the European Language Portfolio) is also increasing.
The qualifications available in university-based continuing education include the following (among others):
Most continuing education activities do not lead to a certificate of graduation. Generally, the participants receive confirmation of attendance.
On the upper secondary level, adults can earn the matura certificate, the specialised middle school certificate, the federal certificate of vocational education and training, and the federal vocational baccalaureate.
On the tertiary level, private or officially recognised diplomas or certificates can be attained. The use of portfolios (e.g. the European Language Portfolio) is also increasing.
The qualifications available in university-based continuing education include the following (among others):
 | Master of Advanced Studies (MAS): at least 60 ECTS points |
| Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS): at least 30 ECTS points |
| Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS): at least 10 ECTS points. |
Internationally recognised certificates or diplomas can be obtained (e.g. in the study of foreign languages).
Validation of performance in education and training
According to the new Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training, alongside the usual procedures, it should also be possible to accredit professional or non-professional practical experience and specialist or general education via other qualification processes, thus enabling access to federal qualifications without requiring a conventional educational course to be completed. In the project on the validation of performance in education and training, a Swiss-wide system for the recognition and validation of personally and professionally acquired skills is being developed.
Validation of performance in education and training
According to the new Federal Law on Vocational Education and Training, alongside the usual procedures, it should also be possible to accredit professional or non-professional practical experience and specialist or general education via other qualification processes, thus enabling access to federal qualifications without requiring a conventional educational course to be completed. In the project on the validation of performance in education and training, a Swiss-wide system for the recognition and validation of personally and professionally acquired skills is being developed.
| Further information |
 | Career guidance portal |
| wab - Continuing education courses |
| Association of Swiss University Continuing Education SWISSUNI |
| movendo - Educational Institute of the Trade Unions |
| Universities of teacher education and courses offered |
| Swiss Federation for Adult Learning (SFAL) |
| Universities and courses offered |
| Universities of applied sciences and courses offered |
| movendo - Educational Institute of the Trade Unions |
| Association for Adult Reading and Writing |
| Swiss Federation for Parent Education |
| Validation of performance in education and training |
| Swiss Qualification Programme for Career Counselling CH-Q |
