Self-test: Is the "Advanced Business Diploma (HWD) with VSK certificate" course right for me?
Is the Higher Business Diploma (HWD) with VSK certificate the right degree for you? Take the test now.
Your advantages: In the self-test, you will receive further information that is tailored to the respective answer options "Yes", "Partly", "No". The result at the end of the self-test also provides you with an overview of suitable providers. You will also benefit from helpful tips on finding the right school.
What does the everyday working life of business specialists with a Higher Business Diploma (HWD) with VSK certificate look like?
With their in-depth knowledge of business administration and management, business specialists with a VSK advanced business diploma provide organizational, administrative and management support to the executive board.
For example, they organize and lead meetings and negotiations and are able to develop and implement solutions to problems that arise. This includes, among other things, initiating appropriate projects and supervising them throughout the entire project phase. You will analyze and monitor the business environment and respond to important changes by adapting company processes or organizational structures.
If legal problems arise, they carry out an initial situation analysis and then consult the relevant experts.
They also take care of risk management and organize the company's insurance cover in collaboration with experts. They analyze, process and document business data for the management and propose necessary measures.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a business specialist with a higher business diploma (VSK)?
Great! Then you've come to the right place with this course. We wish you lots of fun and success.
The next step is to decide which type of training is right for you in order to acquire the relevant skills.
If you only like the job to a limited extent or only individual parts of it, you could think about what interests you the most. And then look at subsequent training courses to see if there is one that appeals to you even more:
- Project Assistant IPMA Level D / Project Manager SIZ (Certified)
- Management Assistant (BP)
- Trade union secretary (BP) (formerly specialist for management in trade union organizations)
- Finance and Accounting Specialist (BP)
- SME Management Specialist (BP)
- Management Specialist (BP)
- HR Specialist (BP)
- Marketing Specialist (BP)
- Business Organization Specialist (BP)
- Technical Business Management Assistant (BP)
- Trustee (BP)
- Sales Specialist (BP)
- Business Information Systems Specialist (BP)
- Business economist (HF)
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities. You will find a large selection on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Are you still looking for your vocation? OurGuide "Finding your own calling"can support you in this.
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
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great!
- If you don't have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you won't be happy in this clerical role. Look out for further training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a responsible management role in an assistant position, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or with career advisors. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
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
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great! Continue with the test...
- If you do not have the relevant training (apprenticeship) in the commercial sector, you still have the opportunity to catch up. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults, for example, in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you have basic vocational training, but not in a commercial field, then take a look at the apprenticeship to become aCommercial diploma.
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience, use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you do not have the relevant training (apprenticeship) in the commercial sector, you still have the opportunity to catch up. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults, for example, in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you have basic vocational training, but not in a commercial field, then take a look at the apprenticeship to become aCommercial diploma.
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience, use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs.Hereyou will find helpful information.
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:
- 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
- Accounting:e.g. basics, cost accounting, investment calculation, budgeting, key figures
- Personnel managementincluding basics, personnel, performance and wages, management techniques, motivation theory, basic legal knowledge
- Process management and change managementincluding basics, processes, change management
- Project managementincluding basics, project organization, project phases
- Marketingincluding basics, marketing as part of corporate policy, marketing concepts, marketing mix, market research, agencies, sales planning and sales processes
- 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.
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the Higher Business Diploma VSK course, take a look at other training and further education courses in related areas. You may find a course that suits you better.
Obviously, the typical subject areas of the Higher Business Diploma VSK training are not your thing.
Take a look at other training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
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.
Question 5:
Are you able to pay for the course?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
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.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
If the workload is even very manageable for you, you could check whether there are intensive courses for this training. This would allow you to complete the same training in less time if you are able to accept a slightly higher time commitment.
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A good study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you are short on time, look for courses that take place over a longer period of time and require fewer lessons and less time for homework each week.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
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:
- Business Administration, written, 90 minutes
- Accounting, written, 90 minutes
- Personnel management, written, 90 minutes
- Process management, written, 90 minutes
- Project management, written, 60 minutes
- Marketing, written, 90 minutes
- 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".
Question 7:
Are you confident that you can pass the course?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you contact aInformation eventto attend this course.
Arrange apersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice or at theVSK. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management aboutSupport options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are someGeneral success factorson the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident of passing the final examination but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school or theVSK. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, the Higher Business Diploma (HWD) with VSK certificate does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further education. One or the other would certainly be a much better fit.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
The VSK Higher Business Diploma course is probably not the right further education goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: the Higher Business Diploma (HWD) with VSK certificate does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
The Higher Business Diploma (HWD) with VSK certificate is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools: