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NQF VPQ referencing process

It is the professional organisation responsible for the given qualification that submits an NQF VPQ referencing request to SERI.

Professional organisations have two options: simplified or individualised referencing. In the first case, their qualification will be assigned to a standardised reference level; in the second, the qualification may be referenced to a different level.

Simplified referencing

Past experience has shown that most qualifications of a given type tend to be assigned to the same reference level within the NQF VPQ. In such cases, simplified referencing enables these qualifications to be referenced more quickly and reduces the workload on the professional organisation submitting the application.

Simplified referencing process

SERI proposes a standard reference level for each type of qualification. On this basis, the professional organisation submits an NQF VPQ referencing request to SERI.

Standard reference levels for each type of qualification

  • Federal VET Certificate (two-year programme): 3
  • Federal VET Diploma (three- or four-year programme): 4
  • Professional qualification via federal professional examination: 5
  • Professional qualification via study programme at professional education institution: 6
  • Professional qualification via advanced federal professional examination: 6

The official list of qualifications referenced to the NQF VPQ is updated twice a year. Inclusion in this list makes the references legally valid.

The timing of publication is generally as follows:

  • Applications received by 1 September: Reference published on 1 January.
  • Applications received by 1 March: Reference published on 1 July.

Individualised referencing

A professional organisation may wish its qualification to be referenced at a higher level in the NQF VPQ. In such cases, a request for individual classification is possible. The exact procedure for individual classification is described in detail in the Guidelines on the National Qualifications Framework for Vocational and Professional Qualifications (NQF VPQ).

Please contact the SERI’s NQF VPQ Unit for any questions or uncertainties that you may have while filling out the request form:: nqr-berufsbildung@sbfi.admin.ch, T +41 58 465 48 91

Documents

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI

National Qualifications Framework for Vocational and Professional Qualifications (NQF VPQ)