Higher Business Diploma (HWD): training, providers, information, tips, self-test, guide, FAQs

Upon successful completion of the Advanced Business Diploma (HWD VSH Management), you will receive the title of Certified Business Specialist VSH Management (male) or Certified Business Specialist VSH Management (female). This degree was previously known as “Certified Business Specialist VSK (male)” or “Certified Business Specialist VSK (female).” The new designation, “VSH Management,” replaces the previous VSK title.

To be eligible to use the title, you must have successfully completed the required modules and passed the corresponding exams. Depending on the current examination regulations, this includes the required written and oral exam components as well as the thesis.

Upon successful completion, you will be eligible to use the recognized association title “Certified Business Specialist in VSH Management” (male) or “Certified Business Specialist in VSH Management” (female). The Higher Business Diploma (HWD) thus provides you with comprehensive continuing education in business administration and can also serve as a foundation for further professional qualifications.

If you're still looking for the former HWD/VSK degree, it's important to know that this was the previous name for the current degree offered as part of the VSH Management program.

As an admission requirement for a Higher Business Diploma (HWD) with a VSK certificate, prospective students must have completed basic commercial vocational training, i.e. an apprenticeship. Or a degree from a commercial school at commercial diploma level. Persons with other basic vocational training and several years of commercial work experience are also admitted.

The continuing education, further training for the Higher Business Diploma HWD / VSK takes two semesters at most schools until you graduate as a Certified Business Specialist VSK.

Detailed information is available directly from the provider - quickly and without obligation via our contact form or the "Ask a question" button.

The course content for the Higher Business Diploma (HWD/VSK) is based on the official specifications of the Association of Swiss Management Schools (VSK) for all providers. The basis is the regulations, which define seven mandatory modules that are also relevant to the examination. The individual schools design their courses on this basis, which means that the central content is comparable throughout Switzerland.

The seven compulsory modules at a glance:

• Business administration: Fundamentals of business administration, supplemented by economic topics and legal framework conditions
• Accounting: Bookkeeping, annual financial statements, cost accounting and financial ratios
• Personnel management: personnel management, development and labor law in corporate practice
• Process management: analysis, design and optimization of business processes
• Project management: project planning, implementation and control with practical methods
• Marketing: Market-oriented corporate management, market analysis and strategic marketing planning
• Communication, sales and negotiation techniques: rhetoric, conversation skills and convincing presentation techniques

Some schools also offer voluntary additional modules, for example in the areas of leadership, accounting or German spelling. These expand your specialist knowledge, but do not count towards the official degree.

The seven modules cover key business skills that are essential for a future management position. Students who wish to set additional priorities for the Advanced Business Diploma can use the optional subjects to focus on personal interests or professional requirements.

Each school designs its learning content and focus individually within the given framework. Therefore, there may be slight differences in the actual implementation. To be sure of the content taught at a particular school, we recommend that you contact them directly. A practical contact form is available for this purpose, which can be used to forward the inquiry directly to the selected school.

The following skills can be acquired through a Higher Business Diploma course with a VSK certificate:

• understand, analyze and interpret business contexts and derive corresponding action requirements and options for their management level
• Ability to obtain and evaluate information on current economic and economic policy issues and to make decisions based on this information
• provide meaningful figures and financial data for individual projects/products or areas for the team or group they manage
• understand, analyze and interpret the figures and derive corresponding needs and options for action from them
• successfully apply modern systems and instruments of personnel management in their daily management work in the team/group by incorporating the company's existing guidelines and resources or (co-)designing them themselves
• design processes and changes within their management area in line with tasks, individuals, teams/groups, resources and the company
• Ability to include or plan the most important marketing instruments in the sales program
• Ability to lead meetings and discussions/negotiations competently and master the targeted use of communication tools

The continuing education program leading to the certification as a Certified Business Specialist (VSH Management) covers various business administration and commercial topics. The certification was previously known as Certified Business Specialist (VSK); the name was changed to VSH Management as part of the association’s reorientation. Key exam areas include, among others, accounting, business administration, marketing, human resources management, and project management.

Depending on the course structure, the exam includes, in particular:

• Accounting
• Business administration
• Law and Economics
• Marketing
• Personnel management
• Project management
• Process management
• Negotiation Techniques and Rhetoric
• Sales and Communications

In addition, the program culminates in a thesis, which is presented and defended in a final oral presentation. This assesses not only the student’s subject knowledge but also their ability to independently address a practical business issue, as well as their presentation and communication skills.

If you are preparing for the VSH Management Certified Business Specialist further training program, you should therefore take into account not only the traditional business subjects but also the practical and communication-based components of the exam. You should check the exact exam structure and weighting with the respective educational provider or in the current exam regulations.

If you are looking to enter the office or would like to specialize in administration, we recommend the following courses: Commercial Diploma (VSH or edupool). The commercial diploma is a commercial further education course. In contrast to a commercial apprenticeship or an office diploma, you do not make up for a missing apprenticeship diploma, but expand your knowledge of business topics. In Switzerland, there are two different commercial diplomas with recognized qualifications: The edupool.ch commercial diploma (Kaufmännischer Verband Schweiz) and the VSH commercial diploma (Verband Schweizerischer Handelsschulen) from private schools.

For the continuing education program leading to the VSH Management Certified Business Specialist (male) or VSH Management Certified Business Specialist (female) degree, prior business knowledge is generally an advantage. A suitable foundation includes, for example, a VSH diploma in commerce or basic commercial training leading to a Federal VET Diploma in commercial clerkship. Depending on the educational provider, individuals with other educational backgrounds may also be admitted if they have sufficient professional experience.

The following requirements, in particular, may be relevant for approval:

• Basic commercial training, such as a commercial clerk with a Federal VET Diploma (EFZ)
• VSH Business Diploma or comparable business education
• sufficient professional experience with a different educational background
• Admission by the school administration based on an individual review (“sur dossier”)

The specific admission requirements may vary depending on the school. If you do not have a traditional business background, it is therefore a good idea to contact the school of your choice directly to find out whether you can be admitted based on your prior education and work experience.

This means that the VSH Management business specialist continuing education, further training program is generally open to individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds, provided the school deems them to meet its requirements.

Colleges of Higher Education (CHE) are part of the continuing education and training / tertiary level of higher vocational education and training and offer practical training courses that provide in-depth specialist knowledge in the respective field. CHE courses also promote participants' specialist and leadership skills and prepare them specifically for responsible tasks in everyday working life.

CHE courses, such as those leading to a degree in business administration, are aimed at people with an upper-secondary level qualification and relevant professional experience in the respective field. The duration of a course is usually between two and four years, either part-time or full-time.

All courses at Colleges of Higher Education are recognized by the federal government and lead to a protected diploma that also allows access to Universities of Applied Sciences. The Confederation currently regulates eight CHE areas:

• Economy
• Technology
• Hospitality, tourism, housekeeping
• Agriculture and forestry
• Social affairs / adult education
• Health
• Traffic / Transportation
• Arts, creation and design

Colleges of Higher Education thus offer a practical, state-recognized further training opportunity to prepare students professionally and personally for taking on demanding tasks. This also applies to the business administration diploma course.

Business administration programs offered by schools or vocational schools—which last only a few days and conclude with a course certificate—are aimed at a wide variety of people. Depending on the focus of the business administration courses, they may be suitable, for example, for emerging leaders, self-employed individuals in all industries, accountants, CEOs, or HR managers. Each seminar at each school is tailored to a different target audience, depending on its focus.

The Business Administration program leading to a federal diploma is designed for individuals who have completed basic commercial and business administration training—such as a technical business administrator—or hold a Higher Business Diploma (HWD/VSH Management)— and who can also demonstrate several years of professional experience. This program is ideal for anyone who wants to lead an SME in the future.

For anyone who is already established in the business field and is aiming for a higher management position, the continuing education program leading to a diploma in Business Administration (CHE) is a good fit. Depending on your area of interest, you can choose from various specializations, allowing you to expand the general business administration knowledge you’ve acquired with expertise in your chosen field.

This program is ideal for anyone who wants to lay the foundation for their professional career through a degree in business administration, as a college degree—and especially a university degree—enables graduates to quickly rise to top management positions. The Bachelor of Science (UAS) in Business Administration (BBA UAS) can also be completed while working.

We recommend contacting the provider directly for more information. You can quickly, easily, and with no obligation get in touch with the right contact person using our contact form or the "Ask a Question" button.