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Programmes, courses and qualifications
CET takes place in different contexts. The range of CET programmes and courses is very broad, with different objectives, content and durations according to target group. There are a wide variety of private, state, in-company, non-profit-oriented and profit-oriented CET providers. These include, for instance:
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public providers (e.g. universities, universities of applied sciences, universities of teacher education, PET colleges, and VET schools)
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private, profit-oriented providers
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companies
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private, non-profit-oriented providers (e.g. non-profit organisations, adult education centres, parent education organisations etc.)
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social-partnership-based, political or denominational or non-denominational providers (professional organisations, trade unions, national churches etc.)
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associations and umbrella organisations
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CET in self-organised groups
The vast majority of CET providers are privately operated and funded. Depending on the context in which CET takes place, state support can be realised. In the field of job-related CET, companies play a key role, either by offering in-company CET courses, or by participating in the CET of their staff (time off from work or funding CET courses).
Admission requirements
The admission requirements depend on the type of CET. For the majority of CET courses, there are no special admission requirements. Special admission requirements can apply to certain CET programmes offered by tertiary level A institutions (Master of Advanced Studies [MAS], Diploma of Advanced Studies [DAS], Certificate of Advanced Studies [CAS]) or colleges of higher education (CET programmes). In these programmes, usually a qualification from a tertiary level A institution or equivalent qualifications are required.
Organisation of CET
The structures of CET courses and programmes, the time required, forms of certification etc. vary greatly and depend on the selected CET course and programme. Since the mid-1990s, modular education has taken hold in many areas of the CET sector in Switzerland. Modules are self-contained units which can be attended individually, or combined with other modules to form a particular training programme. The modular system is an open and permeable system.
Qualifications
The type of qualification varies according to the CET programme and course. The providers can award their own non-state-recognised certificates or confirmations of course attendance. At tertiary level A institutions, in addition to confirmations of course attendance, the following qualifications can also be obtained:
- Master of Advanced Studies (MAS): at least 60 ECTS credits
- Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS): at least 30 ECTS credits
- Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS): at least 10 ECTS credits.
CET at colleges of higher education lead to a federally recognised diploma. The suffix "NDS HF" is added to the name of the course (e.g. "dipl. Controller NDS HF").
Preparatory courses for federal examinations are a special case. These courses prepare students for a tertiary-level qualification in professional education (federal professional examinations with a federal diploma or advanced federal professional examinations with an advanced federal diploma of higher education). The preparatory courses are organised in different ways and are not regulated by the state. However, if the courses are on the list of preparatory courses, graduates can receive funding after passing the federal examination.
A large number of providers offer continuing education and training programmes outside the tertiary sector. The offerings range from language courses at all levels, IT and arts and crafts to vocational courses or courses for professional specialisation or to acquire leadership skills. The providers issue their own, non-state-recognised certificates or course confirmations.
Various formal education qualifications can also be obtained as an adult (Baccalaureate, Specialised Baccaulaureate, Federal Vocational Baccalaureate, Specialised Certificate or Federal VET Diploma).
