A question that is often asked by those who are not
acquainted with the institutes of higher education in
Europe is the difference between a conservatory and a
"Hochschule". In short, a conservatory is an autonomous
institute that is not necessarily required to recognize the
credits earned in other conservatories. In addition its
credits are not necessarily recognized by other
institutions. The Hochschul-System differs in this respect
in that when an institute is accepted into the landscape
network of "Hochschulen" the credits a student earns are
automatically accepted by other institutions. The system
facilitates tranfers to other schools in the network.
Hypothetically a student can do his first three years of
basic studies at school one and then transfer to school
two. All credits earned at the first institute will be
acknowledged by the second.
In the fall of 2005, a Bachelors-Masters system was
initiated in the Swiss "Hochschulen". The Bachelors degree
will be a three-year course and the Masters can be achieved
two years later. Because each student can be subsidized for
a maximum of 14 semesters, a second Masters or a Doctorate
can be attained afterwards.
In Switzerland the institutions of higher learning are
subsidized. As a matter of fact, the only costs besides
room and board are student fees, which amount to about 2000
Franks per year. When the entrance examination has been
passed, it is equivalent to receiving a full scholarschip
for the entire course of studies.