FAQs
The CAS, DAS, MAS and DAPS programmes are first and foremost aimed at individuals holding at least an undergraduate degree and who have relevant professional experience. In some cases, applicants holding equivalent qualifications and proven professional experience may also be admitted. Certificates of Open Studies (COS) are open to everyone, especially migrants and refugees in emergency settings, regardless of academic background.
Other programmes that do not lead to a degree are open to a wider audience, but may also be subject to admission requirements. Please refer to each programme’s page for more detailed information. See here for all the programmes >>
A Certificate of Open Studies (COS) are certified programmes open to everyone, especially migrants and refugees in emergency settings, regardless of academic background. The teachings are generally online, while the examinations take place at an approved exam centre.
- Duration: 1–3 years
- 6 ECTS credits
- At least 150 hours of study (classes and individual work)
A Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) are short degrees. They provide participants with specific knowledge in a given field and an additional university-level qualification for their profession.
- Duration: Up to 1 year
- At least 10 ECTS credits
- Between 250 and 300 hours of study (classes and individual work)
- A written assignment
A Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) provide thorough training in a specific field and lead to an additional university-level qualification that is directly related to the participant’s profession and can open up new career opportunities.
- Duration: 1–2 years
- At least 30 ECTS credits
- Between 750 and 900 hours of study (classes and individual work)
- A written assignment
A Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) offered in Switzerland enables participants to obtain an additional university-level qualification. Itprovides comprehensive training in a highly specialised field that is directly related to the participant’s profession and can expand career opportunities. In Switzerland, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), and a Master of Laws (LLM) are considered equivalent to a MAS.
- Duration: 1–3 years
- At least 60 ECTS credits
- Between 1,500 and 1,800 hours of study (classes and individual work)
- A written assignment
- Possibly a work placement
A Doctorate of Advanced Professional Studies (DAPS) is a professional doctoral degree for experienced professionals who wish to undertake a programme that is applied in nature and of practical value to their career. It is based on applied research of real world problems.
- Duration: 3–4.5 years
- 80 ECTS credits
- At least 2,000 hours of study (classes and individual work)
- A thesis
To make its continuing education programmes even more accessible and flexible, the University of Geneva began offering micro-credentials as of 2023. A micro-credential is a document certifying the acquisition of knowledge and skills after a module or short course, micro-credentials allow for the possibility to acquire ECTS credits. They may stand alone or be combined (stacked) in certain cases to form a more extensive certification. See the Swissuni press release (in French) on micro-credentials for more information.
UNIGE continuing education programmes are open to all professionals who meet the admission requirements. In addition, UNIGE has an international outlook and offers a large number of continuing education courses via distance learning and/or in English, as well MOOCs.
The cost of continuing education programmes varies depending on the type and length of the course. For more detailed information, please refer to the programme pages.
In Geneva, the cantonal act on continuing education means people who meet certain criteria can receive an annual education grant (chèque annuel de formation) for up to three consecutive years. These grants cover the costs of courses that are useful for your professional development. Apply for an annual education grant online (in French): www.ge.ch/caf
Programme directors and coordinators are available to discuss payment options. Please get in touch with the programme’s contact person to find out more. Find a programme here >>
Only people following a MAS programme or another programme worth at least 60 ECTS credits are enrolled at the University of Geneva. This means other participants do not have student status.
Yes, UNIGE offers a wide range of programmes in various fields in English. UNIGE also offers distance learning programmes.
ECTS credits indicate the amount of work, based on the learning outcomes defined and the associated workload. One ECTS credit represents approximately 25 to 30 hours of work, in the form of lectures, seminars, practical work, projects, exams or individual study. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was developed to make it possible to compare courses in universities in Switzerland and the EU. For more information, refer to the ECTS Users' Guide
Have a look at the page “Useful links”, where you will find links to career guidance services.
In some cases, people with equivalent qualifications and proven professional experience may also be admitted. Please refer to the programme pages for more information. Find a programme here >>
UNIGE continuing education programmes are open to professionals of all age groups. For reference, the average age of participants is 40.
Yes, it is possible to take individual modules within certain continuing education programmes. Please refer to the specific programme pages for details. A degree will not be awarded if you only take certain modules, though you may be able to acquire ECTS credits depending on the number of effective work hours completed and provided you have passed all relevant assignments. The modules that are labelled as micro-credentials allow the possibility to acquire ECTS credits and to be stacked with other micro-credentials upon their successful completion.
UNIGE has a diverse and international student body. We regularly admit foreign students who hold degrees from non-Swiss or non-European universities into our programmes. Please contact the people in charge of the programme you are interested in directly for more information. Find a programme here >>