At tertiary level, Switzerland is introducing reforms in line with the Bologna Declaration, which it signed along with 31 other countries in 1999. The aim is to create a "European space for higher education", with a bachelor-masters system, such as that in place in the US and UK.

The changeover is to be completed by 2010.

The reforms have provoked controversy: a number of students believe they mainly serve the interests of the economy, by pushing people into the labour market as quickly as possible.