Switzerland

Bachelor programs

Switzerland has 8 biomedical laboratory science (BLS) programs as follows:

All these schools are recognized by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)

Bachelor programs

Switzerland has one biomedical laboratory diagnostics (BLD) bachelor program as follows:

All Swiss programs require knowledge of at least one of the national languages. The bachelor program is offered just in German, the advanced federal diploma of Higher Education is proposed in German, Italian or French depending on the location of the school.

(Click on the yellow markers for information)

Students’ exchange and international collaborations

Till now there is no international collaboration between Switzerland and other parts of the world.

National requirements for the BLS education

Requirements for learning outcomes and content of the biomedical laboratory scientist education is described in national guidelines.

Advanced federal diploma of Higher Education: Rahmenlehrplan Biomedizinische Analytik

Bachelor: Studieninhalte Biomedizinische Labordiagnostik

Requirements for authorization to work as a biomedical laboratory scientist

After finishing one of the above programs, you will get a Diploma that is recognized in the National Register if Healthcare Professions (NAREG)

If you have an education from countries outside Switzerland, you need to apply for a Swiss recognition of the Diploma. For more information see: Working in Switzerland

If your education is considered inadequate for the authorization you may have to study certain subjects additionally.

National educational collaborations

A national BLS committee, the Health and Social Education Organization BGS, with the BLS specialist group is organized with responsible study program leaders representing each of the eight Higher Education programs. The members of the national committee regularly meet for the study programs to collaborate on quality in the education and to agree on common strategies for developing the Swiss BLS education. At the meetings, subject-specific, training-relevant and didactic topics are discussed. The group is currently working on collaborative projects such as a joint platform for digital microscopy in haematology and histology, shared laboratory information software and joint blended learning sequences on various specific laboratory topics.

The committee also collaborates with the national Development Commission of the Education Guidelines Framework Curriculum for BLS (OdaSante) in order to ensure the topicality and practical relevance of the educational programs.

There is a regular exchange between the program leaders of the Higher Education programs and the head of the BLS bachelor’s study program.

The Swiss professional association for BLS (labmed) represents the two types of programs in education policy issues and, if necessary, has an exchange with the corresponding education representatives at least once a year.

Relevant higher education

Biomedical laboratory scientist can complete a higher Diploma as Expert in Biomedical Science and laboratory management. This program is organized by the Swiss professional association for biomedical scientists (labmed) in German or French.

The aim of the program is to meet the legally required further training for the management of a type B laboratory in the professional field.

Various master’s degree programs are open to graduates of the bachelor’s program; the first graduates will complete their studies in 2025.