Organisation
Since autumn 2005, education at universities of applied sciences is realised within a 2-tier model in accordance with the Bologna Declaration. The previous university of applied sciences degree courses (duration: usually 3 years) were replaced. The first level finishes with the Bachelor's degree and the second with the Master's degree. In the autumn semester of 2007 / 2008, 90% of all students enrolled in a Bachelor course.
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. The Bachelor course takes 3 years (full-time study); if completed by means of part-time study in combination with occupational work, it generally takes 4 years.
Master
At Master level, in-depth, specialised and research-supported content is taught, preparing the student for an advanced profession-related qualification. Particular importance is attached to an interdisciplinary structuring of the course and an applied scientific approach. The course lasts 1½ to 2 years.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
Study achievements are measured in accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). ECTS is a system for the accreditation, transfer and accumulation of study achievements, recognised Europe-wide. The ECTS points reflect the quantitative workload. It is assumed that a complete academic year is equivalent to 60 ECTS points. Each ECTS point represents 25 to 30 working hours. 180 ECTS points are required to acquire a Bachelor's degree, while 90 to 120 ECTS points are required for a Master's degree. The Master courses, and generally also the Bachelor courses, are completed with a final assignment, the form and definition of which are stipulated in the corresponding study regulations.
Academic year
The academic year is split into 2 semesters. In the autumn semester, the courses begin in week 38; in the spring semester, they begin in week 8. Each semester lasts between 14 and 16 weeks.
Titles
The following protected titles can be awarded by the universities of applied sciences for a federally recognised Bachelor's or Master's degree:
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Bachelor of Science or Master of Science [name of the UAS] in [description of the course] with specialisation in [description of the area of specialisation]; abbreviation: B Sc [name of the UAS] or M Sc [name of the UAS]
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Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts [name of the UAS] in [description of the course] with specialisation in [description of the area of specialisation]; abbreviation: B A [name of the UAS] or M A [name of the UAS].
The universities of applied sciences stipulate which type of title (arts / science) is allocated to which field of study for all of Switzerland.
Until the changeover to the Bologna study system is complete in the year 2010, the previous university of applied sciences degrees can still be obtained in individual cases. The previous university of applied sciences degrees are protected and remain valid. As of 2009, holders of these degrees can also bear the corresponding Bachelor title.
Institutions responsible for universities of applied sciences
Universities of applied sciences (UAS)
