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Continuing education options and admission requirements

Master's programmes

Our Master's programmes offer you the opportunity to expand your expertise and competences in your current profession or to acquire new qualifications applicable to a different field. The demanding programmes require a high level of commitment, regular attendance in class and a large amount of self-study.

Upon successful completion of a Master's, you receive at least 60 ECTS credits for all aspects of the programme – attendance and participation in class, self-study and the Master's thesis. One credit corresponds to a workload of between 25 to 30 hours.

Differences between Professional Master's programmes and Master's degree programmes

“Master of Business Administration (MBA)”
The MBA is designed for those who will take on managerial positions in the future. Prior managerial experience and/or a leadership role is not required, but would be an advantage.
“Master of Advanced Studies (MAS)”
MAS courses are for candidates who have already acquired several years of professional experience and who wish to complete a more advanced and specialised continuing education course. Upon successful completion of the MAS, you receive at least 60 ECTS credits.
“Master's degree programmes (MSc and MA)”
Master of Science (MSc) and Master of Arts (MA) degrees are directly linked to Bachelor's programmes and cannot be completed without a Bachelor's degree. For an MSc or a MA degree, you are required to earn 90 to 120 ECTS credits, depending on the programme.

Diploma programmes

The Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) is a part-time programme completed alongside your normal working activities. Upon successful completion of the course, you receive between 30 and 40 ECTS credits for all aspects of study (attendance and participation in class, self-study and the dissertation). In total, this corresponds to a workload of approximately 1,000 hours. For DAS graduates, there is also the option of completing the MAS afterwards.

CAS courses

CAS courses are part-time and completed alongside the student's normal work commitments. For attendance and participation in class and self-study, you earn between 10 and 15 ECTS credits, depending on the programme. This corresponds to a workload of approximately 250 to 375 hours. In some courses, a final written paper must also be completed.

Continuing education courses

Continuing education courses are relatively short course units which offer you the opportunity to acquire specialist knowledge and to expand your existing knowledge in certain areas. The duration varies from course to course. All participants receive a certificate confirming their attendance. In some courses, ECTS credits are awarded.

Admission requirements

General terms of admission and participation
ZHAW

General terms of admission and participation specific to each School
School of Applied Linguistics
School of Applied Psychology
School of Management and Law(PDF 164,3 KB)

General Academic Regulations
General Academic Regulations MAS
General Academic Regulations DAS/CAS

Admission concept for ZHAW continuing education programmes
Management concept for admission to continuing education programmes (in German only)