ZHAW Erasmus Charter for Higher Education
At the end of September 2026, the European Commission approved ZHAW’s application for accreditation under the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE). The ECHE sets out the quality framework for European and international activities under Erasmus+. It is a prerequisite for higher education institutions to submit funding applications for mobility and cooperation projects.
Background: Switzerland’s association to Erasmus+ from 2027
Switzerland aims to rejoin the European education programme Erasmus+ as an associated country from 2027. With the ECHE, ZHAW meets the formal institutional requirement for taking part in Erasmus+. Approval of the funding by the Swiss Parliament is still pending: the Council of States gave its approval on 1 October 2026, and the National Council is expected to decide by the end of 2026.
For ZHAW, association to Erasmus+ would open up new opportunities for students and staff: expanded mobility options, closer cooperation with European partner institutions and stronger integration into the European higher education landscape.
If Switzerland does not become associated, the existing federally funded Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP) will continue. Cooperation with our partner universities will remain in place in any case.