Higher technical school (Switzerland)

Logo of the HF conference

The Höhere Fachschule ( HF ) is an institute for higher vocational training in Switzerland. State, semi-state or private organizations can have the higher technical schools' courses recognized. If you do not already have enough professional experience, the study period can include an internship . Around 7,000 HF diplomas are presented each year.

Areas

The Federal Department of Economics, Education and Research issued an ordinance on March 11, 2005, which provides for higher technical education in the following areas:

• Technology; (HFT or TS) (see technical school )
• Hospitality, tourism and housekeeping; (sometimes called hotel management schools)
• Economy (HFW);
• Agriculture and forestry;
• Health (HFGS);
• Social and adult education;
• Arts and design;
• Traffic and transportation
• Law

The arts, composition and design as well as traffic and transport were included in the regulation in 2010.

target

The main goal is to impart skills that should enable students to take on specialist and managerial responsibility independently in their field. The final exams are taken by the respective teaching institute itself, provided that its course is recognized by the SERI (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation). Graduates obtain the title of "Dipl .- (Profession) (HF)", for example, Dipl. Business Economist, Dipl. Techniker / in HF, Dipl. Adult Educator / in HF or Dipl. Dental Hygienist / in HF. You are admitted to master's degree at universities .

In 2012 there were around 170 higher technical schools in Switzerland with more than 400 HF courses.

Framework

Higher technical schools as such are not recognized by the federal government, but the individual courses are recognized by SERI. The courses can be divided into diploma courses and postgraduate courses (NDS).

The cantons are responsible for supervising the higher technical schools.

The diplomas are recorded and registered by the issuing schools, but not centrally or federally.

Like vocational school teachers, teachers / lecturers must have a didactic training.

The higher technical schools can be classified according to provider as follows:

• public service providers (cantonal schools)
• private providers with service mandates from the cantons
• private providers without a service mandate from the cantons

International classification

see also: Education system in Switzerland

The higher technical schools in Switzerland belong to the tertiary level of the Swiss education system .

In the past, a distinction was made between tertiary level A and B. However, this distinction was abolished in the 2011 ISCED revision. This means that the HF qualifications or the training courses at higher technical schools in Switzerland are on the same level as technical colleges or universities. There is no longer any distinction between A and B.

The higher technical schools in Switzerland mostly correspond to German technical schools in terms of the requirements, duration and recognition .

In contrast to the earlier ISCED scale, the HF training is now also at level 6. Together with a bachelor's degree. This further simplifies the comparability of a bachelor's degree with an HF degree. Because the earlier classification of the HF degree at Level 5B was not very conducive to this. Since the ISCED revision of 2011, bachelor degrees with 180 ETCS points and an HF degree are equivalent.

In the EQF , the assignment is also on level 6 together with the Bachelor's degree.

Conditions of admission

The prerequisites for admission are a degree at upper secondary level (at least three years of apprenticeship ( EFZ ), specialist secondary school certificate , Matura, etc.). For most areas, the qualification at upper secondary level does not have to be relevant (→ open to career changers ), the biggest exception being technology.

Often the regulations prescribe a suitability assessment.

The schools are also free to issue further conditions.

technology

In the field of technology, a relevant professional qualification with a certificate of proficiency is a mandatory requirement.

health

In the field of health, a degree at upper secondary level and successful completion of the aptitude test are prerequisites for the course. A relevant professional qualification can be credited and leads to a correspondingly shortened degree.

Because, among other things, no Matura is required, the higher technical schools in health are an important means of countering the impending shortage of skilled workers.

Arts and design

In the field of arts and design, a degree at secondary level II and the passing of the aptitude test are the conditions for admission to the course. The (individual) aptitude test has the greatest weight.

Training opportunities

With the completion of the higher technical school (diploma), the postgraduate courses (NDS) are open in the same area. The university of applied sciences is basically also open, but some additional prior training is required. Study achievements at higher technical schools can be credited "sur dossier".

health

For dipl. Nursing HF there is a part-time course for a Bachelor in Nursing. Up to 90 credit points are credited for the higher technical college degree. Further prior knowledge is mathematics at BMS level, English at B1 level and, for foreign-language students, German at B2 level.

technology

Admission to the bachelor's degree programs takes place "sur dossier"; crediting takes place individually.

The Swiss Fernfachhochschule (Fernfachhochschule) is an exception. If you have a relevant HF degree, you can count on between 80 and 90 credit points, thus enabling you to enter the 5th semester (of 9 semesters).

history

Former higher technical schools

see also University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland)

Until October 6, 1995, the higher technical colleges (HTL), higher business and administration school (HWV), higher technical schools for design (HFG) and many technical schools for social work (such as the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences ) were also higher technical schools, after which they became converted into technical colleges . This fact sometimes leads to confusion and statistical difficulties.

The Swiss Higher Technical College for Ophthalmic Optics (SHFA), founded in 1974, held a special position. It never offered its own degree, but prepared for the higher professional examination for dipl. Optician before. It was only integrated into the FHNW in 2007 as the Institute for Optometry .

Today's higher technical schools

All of today's higher technical schools go back to further training institutes for professionals. These training institutes were u. a. Founded by the economy to meet its own needs for specialists and managers. This personal requirement led to a practical orientation. Because they were supported by individual companies, associations, industries, etc., the schools were and are very specific. A common, cross-departmental basis was only established much later (e.g. through federal recognition and minimum regulations).

The last major reforms (2004/2005) pointed the way towards a clearer positioning in the Swiss educational landscape and comparability on an international level, but the practical focus will be retained. The old legal titles are usually on an equal footing with the new ones.

A federal commission for higher technical schools has existed since 2005. The conference of higher technical schools in Switzerland has existed since 2007.

health

The higher technical schools for health switched from the health department to the education department in 2004. Most of the other higher technical schools are also assigned to the cantonal education departments; an exception are the higher technical schools in the canton of Zug, which are supported or supported by the Department of Economics. be coordinated.

The old legal titles (before 2011) are usually treated the same as the new ones. The nursing professions are an exception: although diploma level II is equivalent to the qualification from a higher technical school, diploma level I is not. However, there are catch-up courses that lead from DN I to the HF qualification.

Since autumn 2008, occupational therapy, nutritional counseling, midwife and physiotherapy have no longer been offered in the health sector at higher technical schools, but are assigned to technical colleges. For graduates of the respective higher technical schools, a subsequent title acquisition is possible through additional courses.

technology

see also technicians and technical school

The first technical schools (or their training courses) were recognized by the federal government in 1983; previously the schools were not recognized or only recognized by the cantons.

The technical schools (TS) were officially converted to higher technical schools (HFT) in 2005, but the term technical school is still in use. The conversion took place without breaking the training tradition, the qualifications are considered fully equivalent. With the framework curriculum of 2010, the subject areas were consolidated and standardized.

economy

The higher commercial comprehensive schools (HKG - establishment of the first HKG in autumn 1960 in Bern) were officially converted to higher technical schools (HFW) in 2005. The conversion took place without breaking the training tradition, the qualifications are considered fully equivalent. The key points of the course are regulated throughout Switzerland. Example HFW - dipl. Business economist HF.

Agriculture and forestry

The Strickhof technical school in the canton of Zurich started in 1997. It was federally recognized in 1999, and when it was converted to a higher technical school, it became the first higher technical school in the field of agriculture. With this transformation, the job title changed from Techniker TS Agrarwirtschaft to dipl. Agricultural Technician HF .

In the field of forest management, the former Intercantonal Forestry School (previously: Bildungszentrum Wald Lyss) should be mentioned, which has been training foresters since 1969.

Today there are several higher technical schools for agriculture and forestry. The graduates may use the professional titles dipl. Agrotechnician HF , dipl. Agronomist HF or dipl. Forester HF lead. The old legal degrees are equivalent to today's, that is, they entitle to use the current title.

Social work // social pedagogy

The area of ​​"social work" was regulated by (inter) cantons. Many schools for social work have been converted into higher technical schools or recognized as such. Anyone who has a diploma from a corresponding school for social work can, under certain conditions, have it recognized as a higher technical school diploma.

The higher technical college diploma in social work can in turn be converted into a technical college diploma under certain conditions.

In the meantime, the higher technical schools for social affairs have specialized in the sub-area of ​​social education (i.e. a sub-area of ​​social work). The universities of applied sciences, on the other hand, provide training in all sub-areas of social work and also the application of scientific knowledge and methods.

Qualified social pedagogues HF can take a passerelle course at a technical college and thus obtain a technical college degree.

financing

The higher technical schools are financed through various channels. Amongst other things:

• Cantonal contributions
• Organizations in the world of work
• Semester fees / registration fees / examination fees by the students

Cantonal

The higher technical schools are financed by the respective canton, among other things. The "Intercantonal Agreement on Contributions to Courses at Higher Technical Schools" (HFSV) has existed since 2014, to which all Swiss cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein have joined. For students from another canton (which is not involved through the HFSV) and from abroad, this means higher costs (semester fees).

The "Intercantonal Technical School Agreement" (FSV) was the forerunner of the "Intercantonal Agreement on Contributions to Courses at Higher Technical Schools" (HFSV).

Web links

General:

• General information on higher technical schools
• Info flyer of the HF conference - overview of six areas of the higher technical schools (PDF; 277 kB)
• Info Flyer Conference HF - International Positioning of Higher Technical Schools (PDF; 1.0 MB)

By subject area:

• Federally recognized higher technical schools for business
• Quality Alliance Higher Technical Schools for Business

Associations:

• Swiss Association of Dipl. Graduates from higher technical schools

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from April 14, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
2. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from February 28, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (accessed on: January 26, 2013).  
3. ↑ Ordinance of the WBF on minimum requirements for the recognition of educational programs and postgraduate courses at higher technical schools (MiVo-HF) (PDF; 152 kB)
4. ↑ http://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20042470/index.html
5. ↑ (Art. 16 and 17 MiVo-HF) (PDF; 152 kB)
6. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from April 14, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (accessed on: January 26, 2013).  
7. ↑ ^{a b c} Guideline for supervision and legal remedies at higher technical schools ( memento of the original from September 6, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
8. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original dated February 3, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
9. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from October 16, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
10. ↑  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )
11. ↑  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )
12. ↑ http://www.konferenz-hf.ch/UserFiles/konferenzhf/File/Dokumente/Bereich-5/artikel-schaer-090622-d.pdf  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was created automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
13. ↑ http://www.konferenz-hf.ch/UserFiles/konferenzhf/File/Dokumente/Bereich-7/rlp-t060-d-gestalter-hf.pdf  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
14. ↑ http://www.gesundheit.bfh.ch/de/bachelor/pflege/aufbau_berufsbegleitendes_studium_fuer_dipl_pflegefachhaben.html
15. ↑ http://www.gesundheit.bfh.ch/fileadmin/wgs_upload/gesundheit/2_bachelor/pflege/PFL_BB_Anrechnung_Vorleistungen_01.pdf
16. ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original dated February 6, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
17. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original dated November 3, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
18. ↑ http://www.hslu.ch/design-kunst/d-ueber-uns/d-geschichte.htm
19. ↑ http://www.hslu.ch/festrede_90_jahre_sind_nicht_genug.pdf
20. ↑ http://www.edk.ch/dyn/bin/12961-13435-1-eurydice_06d.pdf
21. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from May 23, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
22. ↑ http://www.euro-focus.de/index.php/netnews/comments/schweiz-hhere-fachschule-fr-augenoptik-wird-fachhochschule/
23. ↑ http://www.sov.ch/dynasite.cfm?dsmid=77731&dsrandom=695260&dsreceiver=
24. ↑ ^{a b} http://www.edk.ch/dyn/bin/12961-13435-1-eurydice_06d.pdf
25. ↑ http://www.zigg.ch/docs/Medienmitteilungen/Stiftungsgruendung_BGZ.pdf  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
26. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from August 17, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
27. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from May 1, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
28. ↑ http://www.bbaktuell.ch/direct/bbad1684.pdf
29. ↑ http://www.gesundheit.bfh.ch/de/weiterbildung/nachtraeglicher_titelerwerb_nte.html
30. ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original from January 12, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
31. ↑ http://www.bzu.ch/CMS4.ASPX?NID=140
32. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from September 24, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
33. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from July 6, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
34. ↑ Framework curriculum (PDF; 522 kB).
35. ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from October 4, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
36. ↑ ^{a b} 150 years of Strickhof ( Memento from November 23, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
37. ↑ ^{a b} Archive link ( Memento of the original from July 14, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
38. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from September 24, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
39. ↑ http://www.foersterschule.ch/asp/docs/ueberuns_d/BZW_Lyss_Portrait_d.pdf
40. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from September 6, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
41. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from September 6, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
42. ↑ http://www.avenirsocial.ch/cm_data/Umwandlung_Diplome_HF_zu_FH_Infos.pdf
43. ↑ http://www.fhschweiz.ch/webautor-data/136/10-10-22-Merkblatt-Soziale-Arbeit--gekuerzt.pdf  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically saved as marked defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
44. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from September 24, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
45. ↑ http://www.sozialberufe.ch/sozialberufe_sozial_stellen_jobs_stellenangebote_stellengesuche_praktika_ausbildung/ausbildung_weiterbildung/ausbildung.html
46. ↑ http://www.hslu.ch/s-info_passerelle.pdf
47. ↑ http://www.edk.ch/dyn/21415.php