Developing junior staff over the long term is a key aspect of the banks’ efforts to ensure they remain competitive. The strategy confirmed by the Training Commission in 2010 is therefore designed to safeguard the quality and quantity of further education for junior staff.
The further education strategy is primarily aimed at
- people who have completed basic commercial training for banks (with or without vocational diploma);
- people who enter the banking sector directly after graduating from high school (generally via the bank entry programme for high school graduates).
Bank-specific further education is provided via the following two main paths:
- Higher Specialist College of Banking & Finance (HFBF);
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Banking & Finance at a university of applied sciences.
Together with the complementary university-level banking and finance training courses, these two paths form the core of the SBA’s further education strategy and are managed by the SBA.
PhD, doctorate
A
doctorate is generally awarded upon successful completion of a doctorate degree course at a university.
A thesis setting out new research or insights is required.
Doctorates
usually take three to four years. A Master's degree is generally a prerequisite of admission to a doctorate
course.
The Swiss Finance Institute coordinates
efforts
in respect of the Swiss universities' banking and finance-related PhD programmes.
More
information can be found at www.swissfinanceinstitute.ch.Courses of further education
There
is a very broad spectrum of courses available for practice-oriented further education and training in
the fields of banking and finance.
At university
level,
postgraduate courses
and programmes are split into three categories: Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), Diploma of Advanced
Studies (DAS) and Master of Advanced Studies (MAS). The CAS programmes replace the postgraduate courses,
while the MAS programmes replace the majority of the former postgraduate programs. The DAS category
is new. A Master of Advanced Studies is awarded at the end of MAS courses, a Diploma of Advanced Studies
for DAS courses, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies for CAS courses.
Outside
the university area, there are also various further education courses that are relevant to banking and
finance. These include specialist examination courses, higher professional examination courses, international
certificates from associations etc.
More information
and links can be found
under Further Education.University – Master's degree
The
key subjects for banks and financial institutions are economics and law, but scientific subjects such
as mathematics and IT are also important.
Swiss universities classify
their courses according to the Bologna Declaration on Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
A
Bachelor's degree is required before students can embark on Master's degree courses. Master's courses
last one to two years, and Master's degrees are awarded when the course is completed successfully.
More information and links can be found under www.crus.ch
University of applied sciences – Master's degree
According
to the federal law of 1995, universities of applied sciences are educational institutions offering courses
which build on basic vocational training. Practice-oriented diploma courses at two levels (Bachelor's
and Master's) prepare students for jobs which require specialist knowledge and methodologies.
Master's
degree courses allow students to acquire more in-depth, specialist knowledge. A minimum course of study
of 18 months is required. A Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required before students can be admitted
to Master's courses from universities of applied sciences. Economy
/ Business
Administration and Banking + Finance are particularly significant for banks.
More
information and
links can be found under Universities of Applied Sciences.University – Bachelor's degree
The
key subjects for banks and financial institutions are economics and law, but scientific subjects such
as mathematics and IT are also important. The first degree is usually a Bachelor's degree, which can
lead to a Master's or PhD course.
Swiss universities classify their courses
according to the Bologna Declaration on Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Bachelor's degrees can be awarded
after a total of three years. A Bachelor's degree represents an initial basis in a subject and is a
prerequisite for going on to specialise further in a Master's degree course. A Bachelor's degree should,
however, also be regarded as a first degree that functions as a "stepping stone" into professional
working life.
More information and links can be found under www.crus.ch
University of applied sciences – Bachelor's degree
According
to the federal law of 1995, universities of applied sciences are educational institutions offering courses
which build on basic vocational training. Practice-oriented diploma courses at two levels (Bachelor's
and Master's) prepare students for jobs which require specialist knowledge and methodologies.
The
legislation governing universities of applied sciences stipulates that Bachelor's degree courses generally
qualify graduates for their respective professions and replace the former university of applied sciences
diploma. A Bachelor's degree is awarded after a minimum of three years (four when the degree course
is completed in conjunction with work).
Business Administration with
specialisation in Banking + Finance is particularly significant for banks.
More
information and links can be found under Universities of Applied
Sciences.HFBF
The
higher
specialist course
in Banking and
Finance HFBF is a practice-oriented course of study. The course lasts three years (carried out in conjunction
with work) and results in the federal diploma "Diploma in Banking and Finance HF". Students
acquire the skills necessary to work independently as specialists and managers in their chosen field.
The course builds on the knowledge gained through completion of a course of basic commercial training
for banks or equivalent.
More information and links can be found under
HFBF.
