Bologna Reform

This aims to harmonise higher-education qualifications across Europe. Under the reform, a first university degree – the Bachelor’s – can be awarded after three years. One or two additional years of study can then lead to a Master’s degree.

Under Bologna education credits are transferable among institutions and countries, and it seeks to facilitate international recognition of degrees.

Swiss universities introduced the Bologna system in 2001 with the first Bachelor’s courses. Specialised technical schools followed suit in 2005. With the winter semester 2007/2007 all new students at Swiss universities are pursuing courses in two stages.

The reform takes its name from a 1999 conference held in the Italian city of Bologna, where 29 European states agreed on creating a “European space for higher education”. Today 45 states are part of the “Bologna Declaration”.