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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):
 
Bullet pointMaster of Advanced Studies (MAS): at least 60 ECTS points
Bullet pointDiploma of Advanced Studies (DAS): at least 30 ECTS points
Bullet pointCertificate 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.
 
Further information
 
External linkCareer guidance portal
External linkwab - Continuing education courses
External linkAssociation of Swiss University Continuing Education SWISSUNI
External linkmovendo - Educational Institute of the Trade Unions
External linkUniversities of teacher education and courses offered
External linkSwiss Federation for Adult Learning (SFAL)
External linkUniversities and courses offered
External linkUniversities of applied sciences and courses offered
External linkmovendo - Educational Institute of the Trade Unions
External linkAssociation for Adult Reading and Writing
External linkSwiss Federation for Parent Education
External linkValidation of performance in education and training
External linkSwiss Qualification Programme for Career Counselling CH-Q
External linkEuropean Language Portfolio (ELP)
External linkSwiss Service Centre for Vocational Training, Study and Careers Counselling (SDBB)
External linkFederal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET): Validation of performance in education and training