Switzerland
The body responsible for the recognition of foreign qualifcations in Switzerland is the Informationsstelle für Anerkennungsfragen or Centre d'information sur les questions de reconnaissance (Swiss ENIC).
Informationsstelle für Anerkennungsfragen /
Centre d'information sur les questions de reconnaissanceRectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities
Postfach 607
CH – 3000 Bern 9Phone: +41 31 306 60 32
Fax: +41 31 306 60 20
E-mail: christine.gehrig@crus.ch
Switzerland has signed and ratified the Lisbon Recognition Convention (1999).
The Swiss ENIC is part of the Rector’s Conference of the Swiss Universities CRUS, which was mandated by the Swiss government to establish and operate a national recognition information centre.
The Swiss ENIC provides information for authorities, institutions and private persons regarding questions concerning academic recognition. It can issue (non-binding) recommendations of recognition for persons with foreign academic diplomas for work purposes, provided the diplomas do not give access to a regulated profession.
| Links |
|---|
| Swiss ENIC |
| Lisbon Recognition Convention |
Types of recognition
Regarding recognition questions there is a difference between academic and professional recognition. In Switzerland (as in most countries) the higher education institutions are directly responsible for the academic recognition (admission, continuation of studies).
Professional recognition is the recognition required to obtain the right to work in a certain field. Professional recognition differs between regulated and non-regulated professions.
In the first case the authority in charge of the regulation of a certain profession also regulates the education leading to this profession and is therefore responsible for the recognition of foreign diplomas in this field (see www.enic.ch => Regulated Professions).
If the education or the right to work is not regulated, then the professional recognition lies solely within the responsibility of the employer. The Swiss ENIC issues recommendations of recognition for foreign university diplomas which give access to non-regulated professions, under the condition that a similar university course or diploma is offered by a Swiss university (see www.enic.ch => FAQ => Item 1).
The Swiss ENIC is responsible for the recognition of the following qualifications and types of recognition:
School-leaving certificates
- informative academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes
Short cycle education (e.g. Associate degree)
- informative academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes
First cycle education (e.g. Bachelor)
- informative academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes
- advisory academic recognition for the use of an academic title
- advisory recognition giving access to the labour market
Second cycle education (e.g. Master)
- informative academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes
- advisory academic recognition for the use of an academic title
- advisory recognition giving access to the labour market
Third cycle education (e.g. Doctor)
- informative academic recognition giving access to higher education programmes
- advisory academic recognition for the use of an academic title
- advisory recognition giving access to the labour market
| Links |
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| Swiss ENIC website: Regulated professions |
| Swiss ENIC website: I want to have my credentials evaluated |
The recognition procedure(s)
No fee is charged for the recognition procedure. The procedure has a specified deadline of 4 weeks.
Step 1: Application
- All holders of foreign qualifications have access to an assessment of their qualifications
- Informal advice is available about the possibilities and procedures taking into account the competence of the recognition authority
- Applicants can make use of standardised application forms
- The receipt of the application is acknowledged
- There is a check whether there are any bilateral/international agreements applicable
- The time normally required to process recognition applications is specified to the applicants
Step 2: Verification
- A checklist is used regarding required documents
- The authenticity of the documents is verified
- Previous cases (i.e. precedents) are referred to in light of the current recognition decisions
- The status, type and accreditation of the awarding higher education institution and the programme leading to the qualification is verified
- The recognition networks/bodies (e.g. ENIC/NARICs) are consulted
Step 3: Assessment
- All predefined criteria are are assessed to detect differences
- Detected differences are checked to see whether they are considered substantial (taking into account the purpose for which recognition is sought)
Step 4: Decision-making
- If there are no substantial differences: full recognition
- In case there are substantial differences:
- The reasons why the differences are substantial are clearly stated
Open qualifications area with
At the moment there is no open qualifcations area with another country.
