The Bologna process at the ZHW
The Bologna Declaration of 1999 has so far been signed by 44 European countries, including Switzerland. The aim is to create a European tertiary education landscape in which the quality assurance of teaching and performance is guaranteed, and mobility is facilitated for students, teachers, researchers and administrative staff. This requires the introduction of modularised, graded degree programmes with clearly defined, goal-oriented content and comparable performance assessment, degrees and titles.
The above demands are being realised through the following measures:
- Introduction of degree programmes based on learning modules with an internationally comparable system of performance assessment
- Introduction of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) for assessment of workload
- Grading of degree programmes into a Bachelor’s degree programmes (three years) and a Master’s (further two years).
Studies comprise about 60% guided or non-guided self-study and 40% class instruction (e.g. lectures, laboratory sessions, practicum, tutorials).
Performance at different institutions can be compared through the standardised European system of assessment and quality assurance, so that students become more flexible and mobility is easier. The uniform degrees and titles also offer graduates greater mobility in their professional life and in the choice of a Master’s degree programme.
All Swiss institutes of tertiary education are currently applying these reforms.
Courses in degree study programmes at the ZHW have
been modularised since the winter semester 2003/04, and learning
workload
has
been measured
using ECTS points.
From the winter semester 2005/06 Bachelor’s degree programmes will be
offered at the ZHW which will replace the former degree programmes.
A Master’s degree programme for Architecture started in 2005/06.
Planned
For other areas it is planned to introduce Master’s degree programmes
in 2008.
For detailed information please apply to the relevant School’s Academic office for the degree programmes.