Recognition of teaching qualifications
Since the bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the European Union came into force on 1 June 2001, the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other qualifications has been guaranteed. As teaching qualifications lead to professions that are governed by state regulations, there exist special accords between certain countries. In Switzerland, the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK/CDIP/CDPE/CDEP) is responsible for assessing teaching qualifications. This concerns the following:
- foreign teaching qualifications for early years and primary school level, for secondary level I and matriculation schools;
- foreign qualifications for school-level special education and
- foreign qualifications from universities of speech therapy and universities of psychomotor therapy
In assessing foreign teaching qualifications, the EDK takes account not only of basic education and training but also further education and training and professional experience. If there are marked differences from education and training in Switzerland, it suggests compensatory measures to the universities of teacher education.
Applications to have foreign teaching qualifications recognised should be addressed directly to the EDK. You will find further information on general conditions for qualification recognition on the EDK website and also in the regulations concerning the recognition of foreign qualifications of 27 October 2006.
University-level institutions
Enquiries to university-level institutions (law, criminology; history; archaeology; information technology, telecommunications; engineering, architecture; languages and literature, communications, information; medicine, pharmacy, health; economics, government and politics; humanities, arts; natural sciences, mathematics; social sciences, social work; sports and exercise science; theology, religious knowledge) should be sent to the Swiss ENIC information centre of the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities CRUS (Sennweg 2, 3012 Berne).
Universities of Applied Sciences
Enquiries to universities of applied sciences (technology, business, design, social work, art, music, theatre, applied linguistics and applied psychology) should be sent to the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology OPET (Effingerstrasse 27, 3003 Berne).