Statistical data
Around 121,000 students (approximately 50% women) were enrolled at cantonal universities and Federal Institutes of Technology in the autumn semester of 2008 / 2009. Around 25% of university students were foreigners and more than half of the foreign students came from countries which border Switzerland.
Students
In 2007 / 2008, new students constituted 18% of their age group in Switzerland. In 2006, the average age of enrolment at the universities was 21.
In 2007 / 2008, a total of 52,823 students were taking Bachelor courses (49.9% women, 17.3% foreign students) and 14,868 were taking a Master course (45.3% women, 29.3% foreign students). A total of 18,152 students were working on a dissertation (42.4% women, 45.9% foreign students).
Implementation of the Bologna system
The implementation of the 2-tier Bologna study system is complete. All students enrolled in a Bachelor course in 2007 / 2008. 72% of all students studied in either a Bachelor or Master course. In 2007 / 2008, a total of 25,719 students studied in previous licentiate or diploma education courses.
In 2007, a total of 7168 Bachelor's degrees, 3626 Master's degrees, 7015 licentiate degrees / diplomas and 3236 doctorates were obtained. While it has long been the case that more men acquire a university qualification (licentiate degree / diploma, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree) than women, this relationship was reversed for the first time in 2006. In 2007, 51% of university qualifications were obtained by women.
In 2007, holders of university qualifications constituted 15.2% of their age group among permanent Swiss residents.
Data: Federal Statistical Office, 2008
Further information
