Interesting to know!

Direct link What is the difference between a postgraduate course (NDK) and a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)?

NDK = postgraduate course. A postgraduate studies in Higher Education (NDS CHE) has a modular structure and consists of several postgraduate courses.

CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) is a further education qualification from a technical college or university.

Direct link What is a CAS?

A CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) is a further education qualification from a Universities.

Direct link For whom are certificate courses (cert.) very suitable?

(Cert.) courses:

• Courses with a certificate from a school, association, company, etc. without federal recognition

Suitability:

• For professionals who want to deepen their specialist knowledge without having to invest several years in expensive training courses
• For newcomers to a specific topic (e.g. real estate, marketing, etc.)
• For people who are interested in a topic for other reasons and would like to develop it further (hobby, leisure time, etc.)
• For people who want to develop further in an area where there is not yet a final examination with federal recognition.

Direct link What is the difference between a Federal Professional Examination such as "Marketing Specialist (FPE) (formerly Marketing Planner (FPE)" and, for example, "Marketing Manager (CHE)"?

Federal Professional Examination (FPE):

• Degree: Federal Diploma of Higher Education
• Duration: Usually 1 year
• Rather more topic-specific.
• Final examination: One national final examination per year (completion rate approx. 60-70%, relatively high examination pressure)

Course at a College of Higher Education (CHE)

• Degree: Federal Diploma
• Duration: Usually 3 years
• Subject-specific orientation Example: Marketing Manager (CHE)
• Generalist orientation e.g. business economist (CHE)
• Final examination: Permanent practical transfer through work (practical work, term papers, diploma thesis)
• Generally less audit pressure

Direct link What is the difference between a course for an Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) such as "Sales Manager (AFPE)" and a course at a College of Higher Education such as "NDS-CHE in Marketing and Sales Management (AFPE)"?

Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE):

• Degree: Federal Diploma
• Duration: Usually 3-4 semesters
• Rather more topic-specific (e.g. marketing manager)
• Final examination: One national final examination per year (completion rate approx. 60-70%, relatively high examination pressure)

NDS course at a College of Higher Education (NDS-CHE: postgraduate studies in Higher Education):

• Degree: Federal Diploma
• Duration: Usually 1 year
• Subject-specific orientation (e.g. marketing and sales management)
• Final examination: Permanent transfer of practical experience through assignments (practical work, term papers, dissertation), depending on the school also classic final examination. Generally little examination pressure.

Direct link What is the difference between a College of Higher Education (CHE) and a University of Applied Sciences (UAS)?

College of Higher Education (CHE):

• Belong to higher vocational education and training
• Increased focus on profession and practice
• Admission requirements: No Matura or vocational baccalaureate required
• National recognition

Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS)

• Belong to the university level
• Admission requirements: Only with Matura, vocational Matura or technical Matura (exception: continuing education, further training: "Sur Dossier" admissions are possible, i.e. admission to a course based on previous professional experience/training and further training)
• International recognition

Direct link What is a CHE NDS?

NDS course at a College of Higher Education (NDS-CHE: postgraduate studies in Higher Education)

• Degree: Federal Diploma
• Duration: Usually 1 year
• Rather more topic-specific (e.g. online marketing)
• Final examination: Permanent transfer of practical experience through assignments (practical work, term papers, dissertation), depending on the school also classic final examination. Generally little examination pressure.

Direct link Who is a CHE NDS particularly suitable for?

• The postgraduate course is very popular due to its short duration and the federally recognized qualification and is therefore suitable for professionals who want to deepen their specialist knowledge at the level of a College of Higher Education.

Direct link What is a Bachelor's degree program? What is a Master's degree program?

Bachelor studies:

• First stage of a degree course at a University (University of Applied Sciences, University of Teacher Education, University), provides basic knowledge
• Duration: Usually 6 semesters
• Degree: Bachelor thesis
• ECTS points (European Credit Transfer System = international credit points): 180
• Prerequisites: High school diploma (university), vocational diploma, technical diploma and some professional experience

Master's degree (training master's degree, not to be confused with the continuing education master's degree)

• Second stage of studies at a Universities (University of Applied Sciences, University of Teacher Education, University), provides in-depth and specialized knowledge
• Also known as a consecutive Master's degree
• Duration: 4 semesters
• Degree: Master's thesis
• ECTS points (European Credit Transfer System = international credit points): 90-120
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree or equivalent university degree

Direct link What are ECTS points?

ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is a system recognized throughout Europe for the assessment of university courses

• 1 ECTS point corresponds to 25-30 hours of work at a university