The best continuing education programmes in Switzerland

Business and Management

1. IMD in Lausanne is ranked among the best in the world for its MBA and continuing education programmes. Approximately 10,000 executives from over 98 countries have participated in its continuing education programmes.
2. University of St. Gallen is renowned for its management programmes, with a professional placement rate for its continuing education graduates of over 90% within six months of graduation.
3. OSAM Training offers management and administration courses designed to enhance leadership and business management skills, with programmes tailored to the specific needs of professionals and businesses.

Hospitality and Tourism

1. EHL (Lausanne Hotel School) has a graduate employment rate of nearly 96.1% within 12 months of graduation, highlighting the effectiveness of its continuing education programmes in the industry.
2. Glion Institute of Higher Education also offers continuing education programmes, with 89% of its students working in the hospitality or luxury sector within six months of graduating.
3. Les Roches Global Hospitality Education prepares students with over 200 hours of practical and theoretical training, contributing to a 92% employment rate in the hospitality and luxury industries.

Health

1. University of Zurich offers programmes in life sciences and biotechnology, with annual research investments exceeding CHF 200 million, reflecting its commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
2. EPFL has launched continuing education initiatives in digital health, responding to the growing demand for skills in health technology, with more than 120 research projects funded in this field in 2021.
3. University of Lausanne (UNIL) – Continuing Education UNIL-EPFL, particularly through its Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM). Renowned for the excellence of its postgraduate programmes, it offers advanced training for healthcare professionals. Its partnership with the CHUV (Vaud University Hospital) strengthens its clinical roots and relevance in the field.

Technology and Engineering

1. ETH Zurich has over 19,000 students and postdoctoral researchers from more than 120 countries, with an annual research budget of approximately CHF 1.8 billion.
2. EPFL is ranked among the world's best universities for engineering and technology, with over 350 laboratories and research groups.
3. OSAM Training offers specialised courses in technology project administration and management, helping professionals to acquire project management and leadership skills.

Finance

1. University of Zurich and University of Geneva combine to offer more than 30 continuing education programmes in finance, attracting more than 1,000 professionals each year.
2. Swiss Finance Institute has a network of over 3,000 alumni, with programmes designed to reflect current market trends and financial skills requirements.
3. OSAM Training offers courses in finance and accounting for professionals wishing to deepen their knowledge of financial analysis, wealth management, and taxation.

Law

1. University of Geneva offers continuing education programmes in international law, with over 500 participants each year from more than 100 countries.
2. University of Zurich has a success rate of over 85% for participants in its continuing education programmes in business law and tax law.
3. OSAM Training offers training in negotiation skills and legal understanding for non-lawyers, helping them navigate the complexities of business law.

Education and Pedagogy

1. Teacher training colleges offer continuing education programmes that attract more than 4,000 teachers each year, aimed at improving teaching methods and skills.
2. University of Lausanne offers continuing education courses in university teaching, with more than 600 academics and teachers participating in 2021.

3. University of Teacher Education of the Canton of Vaud (HEP Vaud). Renowned for its expertise in teacher training and its approach based on applied research, HEP Vaud plays a key role in the professional development of teachers in French-speaking Switzerland.

Languages

1. OSAM Training offers language courses for professionals and individuals, providing personalised programmes in English, French, German, and Italian, tailored to specific communication and business needs.
2. The Migros Club School offers a wide range of language courses for all levels and ages at attractive prices.
3. Universities and Higher Education Institutions in Switzerland also offer continuing education programmes in languages, designed to improve language skills in general.

Types of certifications and qualifications

In Switzerland, the continuing education system offers a variety of recognised certificates and diplomas tailored to the needs of professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge or acquire new skills. 

1. Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)

• Duration: Generally between 10 and 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits, which corresponds to a few months to a year of part-time study.
• Objective: Allows you to specialise in a specific field or acquire specific skills.
• Target audience: Professionals wishing to deepen their knowledge in a specific field.

2. Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS)

• DurationApproximately 30 to 60 ECTS credits, equivalent to one to two years of part-time study.
• ObjectiveOffers more in-depth training than the CAS, enabling students to obtain a more advanced specialisation.
• Target audience: Executives and professionals seeking to broaden their skills in a specific field or to change careers.

3. Master of Advanced Studies (MAS)

• Duration: At least 60 ECTS credits, generally requiring two years of part-time study.
• Objective: Constitutes the highest level of university continuing education, offering advanced specialisation.
• Target audience: Professionals who already hold a university degree and wish to acquire high-level expertise in their field.

4. Federal Certificate

• DurationPreparation for the Federal Certificate can vary, often involving around 1 to 2 years of training.
• Objective: Recognises specific professional skills and offers a qualification that is recognised in the Swiss labour market.
• Target audienceSpecialists and middle managers seeking to validate their practical and theoretical skills in their professional field.

5. Federal Diploma

• Duration: Preparation may take several years, depending on the field of study.
• Objective: A level above the Federal Certificate, the Federal Diploma is intended to recognise high-level expertise in a specific professional field.
• Target audience: Professionals aiming for senior management positions or wishing to demonstrate advanced mastery in their speciality.