Editing Academic degree (section)

==== Switzerland ====
Before the [[Bologna Process]], the academic degree of a [[Licentiate (degree)|Licentiate]] was reached after 4 or 5 years of study.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crus.ch/information-programme/anerkennung-swiss-enic/universitaetsqualifikationen/abschlusstypen.html|title=Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities |publisher=[[Crus.ch]] |date=25 August 2009 |access-date=25 July 2013}}</ref> Depending on the official language of the university, it was called ''Lizentiat'' (German), ''Licence'' (French) or ''licenza'' (Italian) and, according to the Bologna reform, is today considered equivalent to a [[master's degree]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20040878/index.html#a6a|title=Official regulation on the Bologna Process|publisher=Admin.ch|date=1 February 2006|access-date=25 July 2013}}</ref> A Licentiate with a predefined qualification gave access to the last stage of a further two or more years of studies (depending on the field) for a [[doctorate|doctoral degree]].

Apart from this, most universities offered a [[postgraduate diploma]] requiring up to two years of study. French-speaking universities called them ''diplôme d'études approfondies'' [[DEA (former French degree)|DEA or DESS]], the Italian-speaking university ''post laurea'' and German-speaking universities mostly ''Nachdiplomstudium'' (NDS). Today the federal legislation defines these postgraduate diplomas (60 ECTS credits) as [[Master of Advanced Studies]] (MAS) or Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degrees. Universities may also offer the possibility to gain a diploma in advanced studies (DAS, less than 60 ECTS credits).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crus.ch/die-crus/dokumente-publikationen/regelungen-und-empfehlungen.html|title=Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities; unification of degree names |publisher=Crus.ch |date=2 February 2012 |access-date=25 July 2013}}</ref> These degrees do not normally give access to a doctoral programme.