What is UniCampus HETG?
UniCampus HETG is a private institution under Swiss law, operating in accordance with the Swiss national legal system. It conducts its activities in accordance with Articles 20, 27, 62, 60, 63, 63a, 64 and 69 of the Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation (Const.) and Articles 30, 35, 185 and 199 of the Constitution of the Republic and Canton of Geneva (Cst-GE). Since UniCampus HETGis not subject to direct regulation or government accreditation for higher tertiary education, as stipulated in Article 1 § 4 of the Règlement relatif à l'enseignement privé (REPriv-GE), it does not require prior authorization from the Service d'Authorisation et de Surveillance de l'Enseignement Privé (SASEP).
Degrees awarded by UniCampus HETG, while not officially accredited, nevertheless give access to public competitions where local regulations permit and, in the private sector, may be accepted at the discretion of employers. Thus, such degrees may be valued in the professional context, but their recognition is subject to the specific policies of each institution or company.
What is the legal basis for the UniCampus HETG designation?
UniCampus HETG, legally constituted under Article 52 of the Swiss Civil Code, is registered with the Commercial Registry of the Republic and Canton of Geneva (CH-660.6.638.023-1 - IDE: CHE-133.413.467). The name UniCampus HETG complies with the provisions of Articles 29 and 62 of the Loi fédérale sur l'encouragement des hautes écoles et la coordination dans le domaine suisse des hautes écoles (LEHE), but does not imply official accreditation as a recognized university institution. The name was also subjected to the controls provided for in the Directive interne concernant le contrôle d'identité des raisons de commerce, issued on April 1, 2021 by the Département fédéral de justice et police (DFJP), regarding the identity of the business name.
What nationality does UniCampus HETG belong to?
UniCampus HETG operates within the Swiss Education Area under Article 61a of the Federal Constitution, which regulates cooperation between the federal government and the cantons in education. However, since it is not accredited as a public university institution, its membership in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is subject to individual assessment by each institution or country. Degrees awarded may not be automatically recognized in this context.
Nonetheless, such degrees may still be accepted and recognized on a discretionary basis by institutions, entities or employers, whether in the public or private sector, depending on internal policies or specific requirements. Recognition depends on national regulations and the free judgment of the receiving institution.
What is the framework of qualifications issued by UniCampus HETG?
The ECTS credit system , study levels, admission requirements and degrees awarded by UniCampus HETG are aligned with the principles of the European Qualifications Framework, the Framework of Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area, the Cadre de qualification pour le domaine des hautes écoles (nqf.ch-HS) and comply with the Ordonnance du Conseil des hautes écoles sur la coordination de l'enseignement dans les hautes écoles suisses. However, academic degrees issued by UniCampus HETG are not among those protected under Articles 62 and 78 of the LEHE. These degrees are issued in accordance with Article 251 of the Code pénal suisse and Article 12 of the Accord intercantonal sur le domaine suisse des hautes écoles (Concordat sur les hautes écoles).
It is important to note that while UniCampus HETG degrees comply with the aforementioned frameworks, they do not enjoy automatic legal protection like those of public or accredited institutions. Their recognition depends on the discretion of individual institutions or employers, both nationally and internationally, depending on context-specific regulations and policies.
What is the recognizability of degrees awarded by UniCampus HETG?
Recognition of academic degrees earned at UniCampus HETG takes place on the basis of the national legislation of the receiving country, in accordance with international Conventions (for Europe: Lisbon Convention, Section VI: Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications) and in accordance with Treaties or Agreements between the Helvetic Confederation and individual States or Governments , as well as on the basis of the agreements entered into by the Institution with specific Institutions. The Agreement between the Swiss Federal Council and the Government of the Republic of Italy on the Mutual Recognition of Equivalences in the University Sector (December 7, 2000 - status: April 11, 2017) regulates only a part of the Institutions in the university sector of the Swiss Confederation.
In Italy, how does the recognition of degrees awarded by UniCampus HETG take place?
The Italian Republic signed the Lisbon Convention on April 11, 1997, subsequently ratifying it with Law No. 148/2002. This law introduced the concept of finalized recognition of foreign degrees, establishing that recognition of a foreign academic degree in Italy does not follow a unique path. The regulations vary depending on the scope of application, such as access to regulated professions or continuation of studies. In each case, recognition of the degree is governed by specific regulations that may differ depending on the context in which the degree is sought.
What are the intended purposes of use for the recognition in Italy of degrees awarded by UniCampus HETG?
The purposes of foreign degree recognition can be divided into two main categories:
- Academic/study
- Non-academic/occupational
With regard to accessing higher education, pursuing university studies and obtaining Italian university degrees, the recognition of academic degrees obtained at UniCampus HETG follows the procedures stipulated by Law 148/2002. In particular, for the recognition of the PhD, Presidential Decree 382/1980 also applies .
With regard to access to the labor market, enrollment in the Employment Centers, participation in public competitions, the awarding of scores for career progressions, the evaluation of qualifications and certifications, access to the postgraduate internship or apprenticeship, the awarding of scholarships or other public benefits, as well as the redemption of study periods for social security purposes, recognition is governed by Legislative Decree 165/2001, Laws 148/2002 and 29/2006, and Presidential Decree 189/2009.
