Professional Bachelor and Master: A Historic Milestone for Vocational Training in Switzerland
A Historic Milestone for Higher Vocational Education in Switzerland
Great news for professionals in Switzerland! On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the National Council adopted a legislative project aimed at strengthening the appeal and visibility of higher vocational schools (ES) and higher professional examinations.
The Introduction of “Professional Bachelor” and “Professional Master” Titles
The flagship measure of this project is the introduction of the titles “Professional Bachelor” and “Professional Master”. These title supplements will be added to higher vocational education diplomas.
Why does this matter? As Katja Riem (SVP/BE) pointed out on behalf of the commission, these titles allow graduates to signal, particularly abroad, that their diploma is at the tertiary level. Until now, the visibility of these qualifications outside our borders lacked clarity. It’s important to note that the existing titles in national languages (such as the Federal Diploma or Federal Brevet) remain fully preserved.
Four Measures to Strengthen the Pathway
In addition to the title changes, three other measures were adopted:
- English as an Examination Language: It will now be possible to take federal professional examinations in English, facilitating international recognition.
- Protection of the name “Higher Vocational School” (ES): Only institutions offering recognized ES programs will be allowed to use this designation.
- Flexibility for Post-Graduate Programs: ES post-graduate programs will be able to adapt more quickly to labor market needs without going through a laborious recognition process.
Why This Is Excellent News (My Take)
As a holder of a Federal Diploma of Higher Education in IT & Management (Federal Brevet), I am particularly excited about this decision!
I can now officially use the title of Professional Bachelor. This is a logical and well-deserved recognition because, as I explained in a previous article, the federal brevet is ranked at Level 6 of the CNC and EQF, which already corresponds to the level of an academic Bachelor’s degree.
This enhancement helps show young people and professionals that the vocational path is not a “secondary” route, but an excellence-driven pathway offering exceptional career and salary prospects.
Conclusion
This milestone marks the end of a long struggle for the recognition of higher vocational education. It strengthens Switzerland’s competitiveness and ensures that SMEs have the highly qualified specialists they need.
For more details, feel free to check out the original article: Parliament Services - News
