PhD, doctorate

A doctorate is generally awarded upon successful completion of a doctorate degree course at a university. A thesis setting out new research or insights is required.
Doctorates usually take three to four years. A Master's degree is generally a prerequisite of admission to a doctorate course.

The Swiss Finance Institute coordinates efforts in respect of the Swiss universities' banking and finance-related PhD programmes.

More information can be found at www.swissfinanceinstitute.ch.

Courses of further education

There is a very broad spectrum of courses available for practice-oriented further education and training in the fields of banking and finance.

At university level, postgraduate courses and programmes are split into three categories: Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) and Master of Advanced Studies (MAS). The CAS programmes replace the postgraduate courses, while the MAS programmes replace the majority of the former postgraduate programs. The DAS category is new. A Master of Advanced Studies is awarded at the end of MAS courses, a Diploma of Advanced Studies for DAS courses, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies for CAS courses.

Outside the university area, there are also various further education courses that are relevant to banking and finance. These include specialist examination courses, higher professional examination courses, international certificates from associations etc.

More information and links can be found under Further Education.

University – Master's degree

The key subjects for banks and financial institutions are economics and law, but scientific subjects such as mathematics and IT are also important.

The Swiss universities are currently channelling considerable energies into bringing their courses into line with the Bologna Declaration. At university level, too, Bachelor's and Master's degrees are replacing the former single-level diplomas and degrees.

A Bachelor's degree is required before students can embark on Master's degree courses. Master's courses last one to two years, and Master's degrees are awarded when the course is completed successfully.

More information and links can be found under www.crus.ch

University of applied sciences – Master's degree

According to the federal law of 1995, universities of applied sciences are educational institutions offering courses which build on basic vocational training. Practice-oriented diploma courses at two levels (Bachelor's and Master's) prepare students for jobs which require specialist knowledge and methodologies.

Master's degree courses allow students to acquire more in-depth, specialist knowledge. A minimum course of study of 18 months is required. A Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required before students can be admitted to Master's courses from universities of applied sciences.

Economy / Business Administration and Banking + Finance are particularly significant for banks.

More information and links can be found under Universities of Applied Sciences.

University – Bachelor's degree

The key subjects for banks and financial institutions are economics and law, but scientific subjects such as mathematics and IT are also important. The first degree is usually a Bachelor's degree, which can lead to a Master's or PhD course.

The Swiss universities are currently channelling considerable energies into bringing their courses into line with the Bologna Declaration. At university level, too, Bachelor's and Master's degrees are replacing the former single-level diplomas and degrees. Bachelor's degrees can be awarded after a total of three years. A Bachelor's degree represents an initial basis in a subject and is a prerequisite for going on to specialise further in a Master's degree course. A Bachelor's degree should, however, also be regarded as a first degree that functions as a "stepping stone" into professional working life.

More information and links can be found under www.crus.ch

University of applied sciences – Bachelor's degree

According to the federal law of 1995, universities of applied sciences are educational institutions offering courses which build on basic vocational training. Practice-oriented diploma courses at two levels (Bachelor's and Master's) prepare students for jobs which require specialist knowledge and methodologies.

The legislation governing universities of applied sciences stipulates that Bachelor's degree courses generally qualify graduates for their respective professions and replace the former university of applied sciences diploma. A Bachelor's degree is awarded after a minimum of three years (four when the degree course is completed in conjunction with work). The universities of applied sciences launched the first Bachelor's degree courses in the 2005 winter semester.

Business Administration with specialisation in Banking + Finance is particularly significant for banks.

More information and links can be found under Universities of Applied Sciences.

Basic commercial training for banks with professional matriculation (profile "M")

This commercial training is the central component of basic bank training. It lasts three years. Theoretical and practical training take place on the job with a bank and in educational establishments as part of a programme based on the Swiss Bankers Association's bank apprenticeship model. The basic commercial and business knowledge required for commercial positions is taught at commercial vocational schools. The commercial diploma obtained through combining practical work and theoretical study allows a more in-depth general academic education.

This basic commercial training at a bank provides automatic access to specialist "HFBF" bank and finance courses (see section on HFBF).

Students who pass the commercial vocational diploma course qualify for entry to a university of applied sciences (Bachelor's degree) without needing to take any further exams.

More information can be found under Basic Commercial Training Course and www.cyp.ch.

Commercial vocational diploma (or "Professional Matriculation")

This diploma course offers an in-depth general academic education. It can follow on from basic training and lasts between 18 months and two years if combined with practical work at an employer, or one year if completed as a full-time course without the practical work experience element. Students who pass the commercial vocational diploma course qualify for entry to a university of applied sciences (Bachelor's degree) without needing to take any further exams.

School-leaving certificate ("Matriculation")

A school-leaving certificate from a grammar school allows access to all courses of study at the cantonal universities and at the Federal Institutes of Technology. The school-leaving certificate and at least one year of a practical internship also allows access to a university of applied sciences.

Commercial college

Commercial colleges generally offer three-year courses comprising both an extended all-round education and specialist training to prepare students for jobs in commercial, service-oriented or administrative companies. Diplomas are considered as equivalent to a certificate of commercial apprenticeship.

In order to obtain a Bachelor's degree from a university of applied sciences after a commercial college, students also require a "commercial professional matriculation" (or commercial vocational diploma).