Qualifications Framework of the Swiss Higher Education Area (nqf.ch-HS)
The complete version is only available in German and French.
- Qualifications Framework of the Swiss Higher Education Area (PDF):
German version / French version - The Three Types of Higher Education Institutions of the Swiss Higher Education Area (PDF):
German version / French version - History of the Development of the nqf.ch-HS (PDF)
- Present Situation
- Further Tasks
- Definition and Objectives
- "Bologna"-Model / "EU"-Model
Present Situation
In autumn 2009 the nqf.ch-HS was submitted separately to the CRUS, the KFH and the COHEP and was adopted in turn by all three rectors' conferences. The definitive version was adopted by the common steering committee of the rectors' conferences (la-rkh.ch) on November 23rd 2009 and was passed on to the State Secretariat for Education and Research SER.
Further Tasks
according to the BFUG Steps 6-10
(With the adoption of the nqf.ch-HS Switzerland has reached BFUG Step 6.)
- Adaption of the Bologna Directives by the SUK and the FHR EDK
- Publication of the nqf.ch-HS
- Establishment of implementation procedures
- Implementation at institutional level
- Self-certification
Definition and Purpose of the nqf.ch-HS
The Qualifications Framework of the Swiss Higher Education Area nqf.ch-HS describes and defines the higher education levels and qualifications in Switzerland on the basis of the following elements:
- generic descriptors
- admission criteria
- ECTS credits
- academic degrees
The nqf.ch-HS contributes to the implementation of the Bologna Reform objectives.
- It serves as an orientation tool for the higher education institutions to develop and describe their study courses and programmes.
- It improves the information about the Swiss higher education system, particularly with regard to teaching.
- It facilitates the comparability of qualifications in Europe and enhances transparency.
"Bologna"-Model / "EU"-Model
At the Bergen Bologna Ministerial Meeting in 2005 the ministers of education adopted the overarching 3-cycle European Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA). The ministers committed themselves to elaborating national qualifications frameworks compatible with the QF-EHEA by 2012, and to having started work on this by 2007.
At the same time the EU produced a qualifications framework comprising 8 cycles(EQF-LLL), covering all the education areas from compulsory school up to the tertiary level. In the EQF-LLL the tertiary level is not reserved exclusively for the higher education area!