Academic Structures

The design of degree programs is guided by European, national, and local guidelines and recommendations. At the European level, these are issued by the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and the European University Association (EUA); at the national level, by swissuniversities.

At the University of Basel, the Student Regulations provide the legal framework, while the President’s Office sets the academic and curricular guidelines. The Teaching Committee defines university-wide structures in teaching.
 

The University of Basel structures its academic program according the following degree levels:

1. Level: 
   Bachelor's degree with 180 credit points
2. Level: 
   Master's degree with 90 or 120 credit points (or 180 credit points for den master's degree in medicine)
3. Level: 
   PhD degree

The bachelor's degree provides undergraduate academic training and is considered as first academic degree. This is followed by a master's degree, either within a consecutive master program in the same subject or field of studies, or within a specialized master program. The master's degree provides more in-depth content and methodology and expands expertise in the field. In Switzerland, a master's degree is considered the standard university degree. Situated between teaching and research, the PhD prepares candidates for academic work both within and beyond the university (Graduate Center).
 

Modules are learning units that are defined in terms of credit points, consist of one or more classes and are focused on specific learning objectives. They structure and sequence degree programs by aligning various course formats and learning tasks with one another.
 

Credit points are earned according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) which is based on the student workload required to achieve the previously defined learning objectives of a course unit (e.g., module, class). At the University of Basel, 1 credit point is equivalent to 30 hours of student workload (in the context of attending classes, independent study, preparation and examinations, etc.) Credit points can only be earned for courses that have been passed and are not based on grades given for academic performance.
 

Students at the University of Basel should be able to complete up to one third of their degree program (60 CP bachelor's level, 30 CP master's level) at another university. Each degree program should offer a mobility window.
 

Students at the University of Basel should be able to complete up to one third of their degree program (60 CP bachelor's level, 30 CP master's level) at another university. Each degree program should offer a mobility window.
 

Developing a skills-oriented organization of degree programs requires taking the potential fields in which graduates will work (including research) and the research focuses of particular fields into consideration. This knowledge is the basis for the profile and objectives of a particular degree program, which is then built around a modular degree course structure. The national framework of qualifications for Swiss higher education institutes defines proficiencies that are to be attained for each level of study. A qualifications profile exists for each degree program at the University of Basel.