Certified programmes

Our certified programmes lead to university qualifications awarded by the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and/or the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) – two universities recognised by the Swiss Confederation.

Among the programmes that we offer, the following are considered certified :

MAS – Masters of Advanced Studies
An MAS (Master of Advanced Studies) is awarded upon completion of a programme lasting at least one year, a written examination and a dissertation.
It generally results in a minimum of 60 ECTS credits, although in certain cases an MAS may offer more.
MBAs (Master of Business Administration), EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration) or LL.Ms (Legum Magister) fall into the MAS category.

DAS – Diplomas of Advanced Studies
A DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies) is awarded upon completion of a programme comprising at least 250 contact hours, a written examination and, in the majority of cases, a dissertation.
 It may result in between 30 and 59 ECTS credits.
A DAS may in certain cases comprise part of an MAS.

CAS – Certificates of Advanced Studies
A CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) is awarded upon completion of a programme comprising at least 120 contact hours, a written examination and, in certain cases, a dissertation. It can result in between 10 and 29 ECTS credits.
A CAS may in certain cases comprise part of an MAS or a DAS.

COS – Certificates of Open Studies
EPFL offers COS (Certificate of Open Studies) – certified programmes open to everyone, regardless of academic background. The teachings are generally online, while the examinations take place at an approved exam centre. The complete programme (theoretical teachings and personal work) takes between 420 and 600 hours of study. It may result in between 10 and 29 ECTS credits.

Find out more about the Swiss higher education system

Non-certified programmes

Among the programmes that we offer, the following are considered non-certified :

• Short programmes (FCOs)
  

• Open modules
  Certain CAS, DAS or MAS programmes offer open modules, i.e. modules that can be attended separately by participants who are not enrolled for the whole CAS, DAS or MAS curriculum.

• Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
  MOOCs are online courses offered by universities throughout the world. Generally free of charge, they are accessible to anyone with internet access.
  Find out more about the MOOCs offered by EPFL or the MOOCs offered by UNIL

Non-certified programmes lead to certificates of attendance.
They can in certain cases also lead to ECTS credits (to a maximum of 9), provided that a written or oral examination is organised within the framework of the programme.