Recognition of diplomas

Applying for a job, for which a university diploma is required

If you hold a foreign university diploma and you are looking for a job outside academia, contact the Swiss ENIC office. It provides you information on the Swiss and foreign higher education system and the recognition of your qualifications.

If you hold a foreign university diploma and you are looking for a job at a Swiss Higher Education Institution, please contact the respective institution directly.

Use of Foreign Academic Titles in Switzerland: In Switzerland, in the absence of national legislation, it has become customary to use foreign academic titles which have been awarded by state-recognized universities in the course of a bona fide study programme in their original form.

Diploma Background Report for Refugees with Insufficient Documentation

The Swiss institutions of higher education are aware of the increased number of refugees from countries with highly developed tertiary education systems who qualify for an academic education or continuation of their career at a university. They have reacted to this development, establishing various programmes to promote the professional and intellectual skills of refugees and enable them to continue their academic careers.

If you are unable to provide sufficient documentation on your qualification, a diploma background report may be of assistance. The diploma background report describes your educational background, indicating how the Swiss ENIC would assess a similar qualification if the required documents were available. The background report may help you explain your qualification when looking for further education or job opportunities in Switzerland.

You can apply for a diploma background report if the following conditions apply:

• You are the holder of a university degree in a field of study which gives access to a non-regulated profession in Switzerland.

• You are unable to get hold of the documentation required for a regular diploma assessment. There must be good reasons why you cannot provide sufficient documentation, for instance because of a war-like situation in your country.

• You are the holder of a Swiss F or B permit.

• You are willing to spend some time describing your education including the courses of your study programme.

Procedure: If you are interested in a diploma background report, please contact the Swiss ENIC office.