An important aspect of the Bologna Declaration is the mobility of students between the countries signatory to the agreement. In order to ensure this, it is essential that Switzerland and the member countries of the European Union and of the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) have a system for reciprocal recognition of academic qualifications.

Recognition takes place in two distinct areas, that of the labour market (recognition for the purpose of access to a regulated profession) and that of academic recognition (recognition for the purpose of undertaking studies abroad).

In addition, the international reputation of the Universities of Applied Sciences and the encouragement of mobility are priority objectives of the Swiss Confederation. From this point of view, it is particularly important that UAS diplomas are duly recognised at international level.

Principles of reciprocal academic recognition

The member states of the EU have decided to place mutual confidence in one another’s vocational training qualifications. Globally, the education and qualifications in each of the member states of the EU are equivalent. The system is based on the principle of reciprocal recognition of education systems. There are three general directives controlling the recognition of the majority of qualifications (with the exception of qualifications for doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists, general nurses, midwives and architects, which are the subject of specific directives).
As a general rule, in order to be recognised and accorded the status of equivalence, qualifications are evaluated not only in respect of their titles, but also the content and duration of the course. The competence of this evaluation is the responsibility of the recipient country.
If a qualification is not recognised as equivalent, a compensatory system may be requested.

Recognition of education between the universities of Western Switzerland

In Western Switzerland there is a memorandum of agreement relating to the reciprocal recognition of studies and qualifications and to a framework of regulations on student access and qualification transfer between universities. This memorandum of agreement concerns all the universities of Western Switzerland: the Universities of Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, the EPFL and the HES-SO.

International recognition of UAS diplomas

In principle, for the purpose of access to regulated professions (recognition relating to the labour market), UAS diplomas are recognised as university degrees; that is, they correspond to at least three years of education at a university. There is an exception for architecture qualifications.
In an academic context, for the purpose of student exchanges between European Union countries, reciprocal recognition of qualifications exists between several countries and may be considered established.
The details of agreements made with the European Union, Germany, Austria, Italy, France and the United States are available on the website of the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET).

Recognition of foreign qualifications

Equivalence may be granted for foreign diplomas and qualifications with the following Swiss qualifications: Federal Certificate of Capacity (CFC), upper secondary certificate in professional education (maturité professionnelle), Swiss vocational examination (brevet fédéral), advanced specialist examination (maîtrise fédérale) diploma, and UAS diploma. The competent authority for the evaluation of equivalence with Swiss UAS qualifications is the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET).

Recognition of foreign qualifications for admission to the HES-SO, bachelor level

For foreign qualifications, the basic condition controlling all admissions to UAS courses of study is the ability to prove professional experience of at least one year in a field relevant to the degree course chosen, with the exception of visual arts courses.
In principle, admissions are on the basis of an entrance exam, for students who can prove a prior education abroad and a level II secondary education for a minimum period of three years.
In principle, admissions are made without entrance exam for students who can prove a prior education abroad leading to a qualification equivalent to a Swiss secondary school-leaving certificate (maturité) or a cantonal certificate recognised by the Swiss Confederation. The University of Applied Sciences is the competent authority for determining whethera foreign secondary school-leaving certificate is equivalent to a Swiss maturité.

Admission to courses of study at the Universities of Applied Sciences and the recognition of foreign qualifications has been the subject of recommendations by the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences.

Examination of equivalence procedure

The recognition of diplomas only applies in the case of regulated professions. A profession is considered regulated if the law demands that a specific professional qualification must be held in order to practice. If a profession is not regulated, it is not necessary to undertake an examination of equivalence of diplomas.

The procedure for the examination of equivalence is available on the Federal Office of Professional Education and Technology website, together with all the forms, addresses and useful contacts relating to the recognition of diplomas.