Continuing Education and Training (CET) in Swizterland

Continuing education and training (CET) aims to enhance the skills and heighten the knowledge of the students. CET activities take place alongside the formal education and training system. It comprises of general educational or job-related education and training activities which are conducted within an organised framework.

The Swiss continuing education and training (CET) is characterized by great diversity with respect to responsibility, regulation, programs offered and funding. Continuing Education and Training is market-based organized. Private bodies often provide CET courses of study. The Confederation and the cantons have a subsidiary role in CET. CET serves to facilitate socio-cultural integration of specific groups.

The range of CET programs and courses is varied, with different content and durations according to target group. There are a numerous CET provides: public (Universities, University of Applied Sciences, University of Teacher Education, PET Colleges and VET schools) state, companies, professional organizations, private non-profit-oriented and private profit-oriented providers.  The huge majority of CET providers is privately run and is financed by the demand side. In the arena of job-related CET, companies play a vital role, either by offering in-company CET courses, or by participating in the CET of their staff.

The admission requirements vary on the type of CET. But there are certain special admission requirements that apply to certain CET programs like Master of Advanced Studies (MAS), Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS), Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) or PET colleges (CET programs) offered by tertiary level A institutions. To know more about the admissions, visit Swiss University Continuing Education

The structures of CET courses and programs, the duration, certifications, etc. vary greatly and depend on the selected CET course and program. Since the mid-1990s, modular structure has been used in many areas of the CET education in Switzerland. Modules contain units that can be attended singly or can be mixed with other modules as well.

The type of qualification varies according to the CET program and courses. The providers can award their own non-state-recognised certificates or confirmations of course attendance. At tertiary level A institutions, along with the confirmations of course attendance, the following other qualifications can also be obtained: Master of Advanced Studies (MAS); Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS); and Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS). CET at PET colleges lead to a federally recognised diploma.