Until now, research associates at universities of applied sciences had to switch to a traditional university to earn a doctoral degree (PhD). This is in contradiction to the core mission of all Swiss higher education institutions, which is to promote their young scientists. The Swiss government has recognised this contradiction and is now financing select cooperation programmes between universities of applied sciences and traditional universities within the framework of the federal project contributions 2017-2020. This makes it possible to pursue a doctorate in certain subject areas at universities of applied sciences.

Seven doctoral programmes at the ZHAW

The programmes were determined by the higher education umbrella organisation swissuniversities, and the ZHAW was approved in 2017 to receive funding for seven of these doctoral programmes, making it the Swiss university of applied sciences with the largest offer in what is commonly called third cycle education. The university partners jointly develop and implement the programmes. Doctoral students can be graduates of universities of applied sciences or traditional universities and are supervised by professors from the ZHAW and the partner university. The doctoral degree is issued by the partner university.

High ambitions, high benefits

In comparison to a traditional university doctorate, the results of such a cooperation programme must have a practical application. This is particularly ambitious at such a high academic level and offers very interesting perspectives for young scientists at universities of applied sciences. The support of the seven cooperation programmes is therefore also an acknowledgement of the high research quality at the ZHAW.