Accreditation

What is accreditation?

The accreditation of higher education (tertiary) institutions is a procedure carried out by the Conseil suisse d'accréditation (CSA) through which quality assurance is ensured at the institutional level, of curricula and programs in the Swiss university sector according to the minimum requirements defined by the Loi fédérale sur l'encouragement des hautes écoles et la coordination dans le domaine suisse des hautes écoles (LEHE) and in the manner prescribed by the Ordonnance du Conseil des hautes écoles pour l'accréditation dans le domaine des hautes écoles (Ordonnance d'accréditation LEHE).

Does every university school in Switzerland have to be accredited?

In Switzerland, a university school must be accredited under Article 29 of LEHE only if it wishes to use a protected name.

In Switzerland, must the curricula and programs of university schools be accredited?

In Switzerland, accreditation of cycles of study and programs is not mandatory. It can take place in institutional accreditation, showing that quality assurance also extends to cycles of study and programs. However, neither study cycles nor programs are formally accredited per se.

Is UniCampus HETG accredited?

Since not all private institutions are required to be accredited under LEHE, but only those that wish to use a protected designation, UniCampus HETG has not applied for accreditation at this time.

Why is UniCampus HETG not accredited?

As a private institution that does not wish to avail itself of the right of designation under Article 29 of the LEHE, UniCampus HETG does not have to seek accreditation from the CSA.

Are non-accredited higher education institutions of poor quality?

The purpose and legal basis of accreditation, which is linked to the quality assurance of higher education, do not allow this conclusion to be drawn.

Even if UniCampus HETG is not accredited, can it still confer academic degrees?

The right of a university school to award academic degrees and qualifications is not related to accreditation, which concerns the quality assurance of the university school and possibly of the courses of study and programs followed.

What is the value of institutional accreditation for the different purposes of using degrees awarded by UniCampus HETG?

Accreditation is not directly related to the recognition of degrees for non-academic/employment purposes, i.e., for the purposes of access to jobs, registration with the Job Centers, participation in public competitions, evaluation of qualifications and certifications, access to postgraduate practicum or internship, awarding of scholarships or other public benefits, and redemption of study periods for social security purposes.

For academic purposes, i.e., for the purpose of pursuing university studies, obtaining university degrees, or access to complementary studies of higher education, including examinations and afferents, and/or doctoral preparation, accreditation depends on the national legislation of the receiving country, on Treaties or Agreements between the Helvetic Confederation and individual States or Governments, and on agreements entered into by the university with specific Institutions.