Switzerland is renowned worldwide for the quality of its
education system and the high level of education in its universities and
colleges of engineering. Today, ten universities, two federal schools and seven
technical colleges share the task to train 120,000 students in Switzerland.
The Swiss higher education system comprises three components: on one side,
cantonal and federal public universities (including two universities of
Lausanne and Zurich); the other many qualified private institutions of
universities of applied sciences (engineering schools, management, tourism and
hospitality ...), finally, professional public education, provided in the
Higher Technical School offer training at least three years in sectors such as
Science, Architecture, Administration, Economics ...
University studies:
There are 12 university institutions recognized in Switzerland including 10
cantonal universities and two Federal Institutes of Technology. Denotes the
name of High Schools Academic such universities and these federal polytechnics.
German-speaking Switzerland (German) includes the universities of Basel, Bern,
St. Gallen, Zurich and Lucerne and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Zurich (ETHZ).
For the French-speaking Switzerland, it includes the Universities of Geneva,
Lausanne, Fribourg (some subjects are taught in German), Neuchâtel and the
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
There is only one Swiss Italian university, founded in 1996, named the
Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano.
Other academic institutions, there is the School of Advanced Educational
Studies of St. Gallen (PHS), the Graduate Institute of International Studies in
Geneva (HEI) and the Institute of Advanced Studies in Public Administration
Lausanne (IDHEAP).
The "High School Universities" are the classic model of European
university. They are active both in teaching and in research and offer a very
extensive training offer, distributed among the faculties of Law and Economics,
Mathematics and Experimental Sciences of Human and Social Sciences.
Specializations and combinations exist in some areas of study: the Swiss
Federal Institutes focus on engineering, basic sciences, life sciences and
Architecture. For the universities of Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich,
they have faculties of Medicine (Fribourg and Neuchâtel only offer preparatory
studies).
The University of St. Gallen specializes in Economic and Social Sciences and
Law. The University of Italian Switzerland focuses its activity around of
Economic Sciences, Communication Sciences and Architecture, and finally,
Lucerne University focuses on Catholic Theology, the Social Sciences and Law.
Organization of university studies:
The academic year is divided into two semesters: the winter semester
(October-February) and summer semester begins, according to the universities,
to mid-March / mid-April and extends to mid June / mid-July.
The duration of complete studies until the license is generally 6 to 8
semesters and 12 to 13 semesters for medical disciplines. The actual duration
of the studies is often longer according to the regulations, the type of
studies selected and the desired degree. It also varies between German and
French universities. L ?? education is delivered in the form of lectures and
practical work. Assessment of knowledge takes place at the end of semester
exams and end of the year in the form of continuous assessment. Credit systems
are gradually being introduced (especially European Credit Transfer System -
ECTS).
Curriculum and Degrees:
Graduates are awarded a degree or diploma. Faculties and Medicine and Pharmacy
institutes and ETH federal award diplomas that are legally protected.
- First cycle (undergraduate)
- Lizentiat (license): 6 or 8 semesters 8 semesters in
most sectors.
- Degree in Science 9 semesters.
- Second and third cycle (Postgraduate)
- Supplementary certificate (1 year after the
"diploma").
- Masters (1 year License).
- Doktorat (may vary).
The Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule)
Studies in applied sciences are structured, relatively short and very oriented
professional practice. They prepare to functions frames. Training in applied
sciences is an alternative to university education and the UAS degrees are
recognized at European level.
Switzerland currently has seven technical colleges.
They include higher administrative technical education or engineering schools,
colleges frames of the economy and administration, colleges of applied arts and
a number of schools in the areas Health and social work.
Organization of studies at a specialized school:
Studies last three years if followed full-time and four to five years if done
on the job. The majority of courses are organized in a modular system.
Practical training are often integrated into the training.
Graduates are awarded a final examination. Each UAS rule for admission to the
final examination and determines the content. Degree work is particularly
common in technical areas and require a time investment of 6 to 12 weeks. The
securities issued by the universities of applied sciences are legally
protected. This is, for example, engineering titles HES, architect HES,
business economist HES, HES graduate in social work, musician HES.
Technical colleges (ETH):
Higher vocational training includes technical colleges, professional
examinations and higher professional examinations. The proposed courses are
within the fields of Trade and Economy, Hotel and Catering, Tourism, Forestry,
Technical, IT, Mechanics, Electronics of the Photography, Multimedia and
Construction. Training in a technical college lasts 2 or 3 years (full-time or
in parallel of a profession).
Some famous courses:
Swiss formations have an excellent reputation. The formations of HEC Lausanne
and the High Commercial School in St. Gallen are highly rated.
In the sciences, the two Federal Institutes of Technology in Lausanne (EPLF)
and Zurich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule) train engineers with
recognized competence in the world. All these institutions are particularly
open to foreign students with about a quarter of their total workforce.
Housing:
First of all, if you really want to live alone, and you have the means, see
real estate agencies and regional newspapers.
Also remember that some universities have special agency for students offering
rooms and studios at reasonable prices. This is particularly the case of REST
(Foundation for student housing, "student Régie") of the University
of Fribourg, which manages a large rental fleet only open to students.
The foundation offers apartments to share, and studios for those wishing to
live alone at six sites near the college or school at rates ranging between 300
and 390 CHF.
Tenants have access to community facilities such as TV rooms or meeting rooms,
and basements and laundry rooms equipped with washing machines and dryers.
Locations for bicycles, a free open parking or paid underground parking for
cars, scooters and motorbikes are available.
Any student attending a public education institution is entitled to this kind
of housing.
REST
Kinderstube
Rue de l'Hôpital 4
CH - 1700 Fribourg
Tel: +41 026 300 73 13
Fax: +41 026 300 97 59
Email: rest@unifr.ch
The budget:
The monthly budget of a student is approximately 1,800 Swiss Francs per month.
In the early studies, several expenses must be paid simultaneously: for
example, a quarter of insurance, university fees in the first half, the first
rent which is often added a security deposit ... So there must be a minimum
cost means of 16000-24000 Swiss Francs per year, depending on the place of
study.
Formalities room:
As a student, you will not need a visa only, you will need to register with the
service of the Foreign Police for a residence permit. To do this, you will need
to bring your identity card or passport, documents showing your financial
resources, a management certificate in Switzerland by a health insurance fund
and a certificate of enrollment in a Swiss university or school. Not to mention
the ID photos ... obtained a residence permit, you will be allowed to work 15
hours per week during term time.