Recognition / Swiss ENIC

Responsibilities of the Recognition Information Centre / Swiss ENIC

A key function of the Swiss ENIC is to provide information on the Swiss and foreign higher education systems and on the recognition of qualifications.

1. We provide information on:

• the multilateral conventions on higher education of the Council of Europe and UNESCO
• the bilateral equivalency agreements between Switzerland and Germany, Italy, Austria and France
• The Recognition Directives of the European Union
• the admission requirements of the Swiss universities
• the networks of national information centres on academic recognition of the Council of Europe and the European Union (ENIC/NARIC)
• the legal status of higher education institutions in Switzerland and abroad
• the provisions concerning the protection of academic titles as well as the use of foreign academic titles in Switzerland

2. We issue (non-binding) recommendations on the recognition of Swiss and foreign academic diplomas

We can issue recommendations of recognition for persons with foreign academic diplomas for work purposes. If the holder of a foreign academic diploma wishes to continue his studies at a Swiss university (PhD, postgraduate studies etc.), he must contact the university of his choice directly.

3. We collaborate with the responsible authorities and institutions

Inquiries which cannot be dealt with by our centre will either be directly forwarded to the responsible public authorities, expert commissions or professional associations, or the applicants will be informed on how to proceed further.

4. Please note the following limitations:

4.1 Legal form of recommendations of recognition

Recommendations of recognition issued by our information centre can only take the form of recommendations and are not legally binding for the following reasons:

• Switzerland does not have national legislation which would provide for the assessment of academic equivalences in a consistent way (as long as they comply with cantonal legislation, the cantonal universities are largely autonomous in that area, and the same applies to the two Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH/EPF).
• the Swiss ENIC does not have a legal mandate on the basis of which official recognition recommendations could be issued.

 4.2 Non-academic professional diplomas

Our information primarily concerns academic diplomas. Inquiries concerning non-academic professional diplomas must be addressed to the responsible public authorities, associations or institutions according to the profession in question, or will be referred to those bodies by our center. Depending on their legal status, these bodies may be able to make recognition decisions.

4.3 Courses at private Universities

No information will be given on the contents or the quality of courses at non-recognized private universities, nor can addresses or contacts be given.

4.4 Universities of Applied Sciences (FH/HES)

Inquiries concerning studies at universities of applied sciences in fields of technical training, economics, design, social work, arts music, theatre, applied linguistics and applied psychology must be addressed to the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (BBT/OFFT) (Effingerstrasse 27, 3003 Berne). We will forward inquiries concerning the non-academic tertiary sector to the appropriate bodies.

4.5 Universities of Teacher Training (PH/HEP)

 Inquiries concerning studies at universities of teacher training (teaching professions and educational therapists) must be addressed to the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK/CDIP) (Haus der Kantone, Speichergasse 6, Postfach 660, 3000 Bern 7).

4.6 Upper secondary school-leaving certificates

• At federal level the recognition of foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates is not possible (not even for professional purposes).
• Holders of such a certificate who wish to study at a Swiss university must contact the university of their choice directly.
• the Swiss ENIC can provide information on the general admission requirements of the Swiss universities for holders of a foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificate. However, the Swiss ENIC cannot assess foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates.
• the following body is responsible for the recognition of foreign professional upper secondary school-leaving certificates (Berufsmaturität / Certificat de maturité professionnelle):

  Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (BBT/OFFT)
  Ausbildungsordnungen
  Effingerstrasse 27
  3003 Berne
  
  Tel. 031 / 322 21 29
  Fax 031 / 323 75 74