Target group and skills: Who is the Higher Business Diploma (HWD) with VSK certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The VSK Higher Business Diploma is aimed at the following target group:

• Professionals with basic commercial training who are aiming for a management or executive position
• People from other fields such as technology, trade or crafts who would like to qualify for management tasks
• Professionals who want to qualify for further business management activities

Important personal qualities and skills for this job are

• Enjoy working with numbers
• Organizational skills
• Precise and accurate way of working
• Good manners and well-groomed appearance
• Willingness to provide service
• Ability to work in a team

Prerequisites for admission to training leading to the VSK Higher Business Diploma:

The following prerequisites are required for admission to the course leading to the Higher Business Diploma VSK:

• Commercial apprenticeship diploma

Or

• Completion of a commercial school at commercial diploma level

Or

• Other basic vocational training and several years of commercial work experience

Subject matter and content of the training

Schools whose courses culminate in a VSK Advanced Business Diploma align the subject matter/learning content with the official specifications of the Association of Swiss Management Schools (VSK).

The following topics are covered in 7 modules:

1. Business administrationincluding basics, purpose and objectives of companies, corporate policy, corporate management, quality management, economics, business cycle, supply and demand, legal system in everyday business life
2. Accounting:e.g. basics, cost accounting, investment calculation, budgeting, key figures
3. Personnel managementincluding basics, personnel, performance and wages, management techniques, motivation theory, basic legal knowledge
4. Process management and change managementincluding basics, processes, change management
5. Project managementincluding basics, project organization, project phases
6. Marketingincluding basics, marketing as part of corporate policy, marketing concepts, marketing mix, market research, agencies, sales planning and sales processes
7. Communication, sales and behavioral techniques, rhetoricincluding basics, means of communication, conference and training methods, lecture and presentation techniques, conversation techniques, argumentation techniques, questioning techniques, handling complaints

Some schools also offer electives or specialization options. For more information, please contact the school of your choice.

Costs and financing of further training

The costs are determined by the schools and can therefore vary depending on the program. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 2-semester, part-time course leading to the Higher Business Diploma VSK:

• Course feesBetween CHF 5'338.- and CHF 7'824.- *
  Note: The course fees normally include the examination fees for the modules.
• Some providers requireExtra costsfor
  • Enrollment
  • Teaching aids
  • Training documents
  • Exam training

It is best to contact the provider of your choice directly regarding the possible extra costs.

* Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations have been financially supported by the federal government. The HWD course may be accepted as part of preparatory courses for various professional examinations. This means that if you obtain a federal professional certificate within seven years of completing the Advanced Business Diploma VSK and have not yet received any support for your further education, you can apply to have up to 50% of the course costs paid (max. CHF 9,500) reimbursed by the federal government.Herefind out more.

Duration of study, training options, teaching format and learning effort

• The VSK Higher Business Diploma course has a modular structure and is designed to be completed alongside work. It lasts 2 semesters.
• Each school draws up its own timetable. Depending on the school, the lessons therefore take place on different days and at different times. For example, on one day or two evenings a week and/or on Saturdays. In the case of intensive courses, the lessons are more closely meshed, for example from Monday to Friday mornings.
• Depending on the school and the course offered, the course can be completed on site or in a mixed format on site and online (blended learning, hybrid teaching). Please contact the school of your choice directly to find out which teaching formats are offered.
• Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the course, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Degree, diploma and title

All seven modules must be completed individually. Once all modules have been successfully completed, the VSK Higher Business Diploma is issued.

The module examinations, which are provided by the VSK and must be used unchanged by the schools, are structured as follows:

1. Business Administration, written, 90 minutes
2. Accounting, written, 90 minutes
3. Personnel management, written, 90 minutes
4. Process management, written, 90 minutes
5. Project management, written, 60 minutes
6. Marketing, written, 90 minutes
7. Communication, sales and negotiation techniques, rhetoric, oral, 30 minutes

Diploma and title

Successful graduates receive the title recognized and protected by the VSK: "dipl. Wirtschaftsfachmann HWD / VSK" or "dipl. Wirtschaftsfachfrau HWD / VSK".