Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications

Recognition of higher education qualifications for the purpose of pursuing more advanced studies differs from the labour market-related recognition provided for in the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP). Persons wishing to continue their studies at university level in another country are subject to the Lisbon Convention:

Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (in German)

Recognition of higher education qualifications for the purpose of pursuing more advanced studies abroad is also covered by bilateral agreements between Switzerland and individual countries. The following agreements exist between Switzerland and its neighbouring countries:

Germany

An agreement on the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications was signed with Germany in 1994. On 16 April 2002, an annex concerning qualifications awarded by universities of applied sciences was added to this agreement and ratified.

Agreement between Switzerland and Germany (in German)

Italy

An agreement on the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications was signed with Italy on 7 December 2000 and came into effect on 1 August 2001. Holders of a Bachelor's or Master's degree awarded by a Swiss university of applied sciences may enrol in Italian universities and technical universities under the same conditions applying to enrolment in a Swiss cantonal university or federal institute of technology.

Switzerland/Italy agreement (in German)

France

An agreement on the mutual recognition of higher education credits was signed with France in 1994 (Accord de Nice). In 2008, this bilateral agreement was renewed and extended to include universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education (in Switzerland) and engineering colleges (in France).

https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/content/sbfi/en/home/education/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/recognition-procedure-on-establishment/legal-basis-for-the-recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/agreement-on-the-academic-recognition.html