How to Use MOOCs to Save Money on Continuing Education in Switzerland

Not everyone has the ability to study at Swiss universities and colleges, or access to employer sponsorship for continuing education. MOOCs provide an alternative if you want to expand your knowledge and skills set with minimal effort and at the lowest possible cost.

What is a MOOC?

A MOOC is a course that is offered by a university or college and is typically open to the general public. Course participants have access to course materials via the Internet. Some MOOCs even give participants the chance to communicate with tutors online. Normally, there are no course fees for participants. In some cases, MOOC providers charge for certificates of course completion. In that case, the one-time certificate fee is typically around 50 Swiss francs. There are also MOOCs that are only available on paid educational platforms with recurring subscription fees.

MOOCs differ from standard courses and degree programs in that they are relatively short (with seven-week terms, on average). Most of them cover a very specific topic. Currently, completing Swiss MOOCs does not entitle you to diplomas. However, you can obtain certificates of course participation.

Which Swiss educational institutes offer MOOCs?

MOOCs are offered by many renowned Swiss educational establishments. In most cases, English is the language of instruction, but some courses are available in German and French. Complete lists of the MOOCs offered are available on the individual websites of the institutes which provide them. You can also refer to the website Swissmooc.ch to find and sign up for MOOCs based on your specific interests.

• The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) offers a large selection of MOOCs covering these topics: big data; ecology; engineering; finance; management; mathematics; physics; and software development. The courses have fixed attendance dates. The languages of instruction are French and English.
• The Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule Zürich (ETH) offers MOOCs on these topics: computer science; ecology; robotics; software development; and social sciences.
• The Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences (FFHS) offers MOOCs on these topics: marketing; and pedagogy.
• The University of Basel offers MOOCs on these topics: ecology; healthcare; management; and social sciences.
• The University of Bern offers video-based courses on its website which it calls Flash MOOCs. Topics include: agriculture; finance; and social sciences.
• The University of Geneva offers an exceptionally broad selection of MOOCs, covering these topics: biochemistry; biology; ecology; finance; history; human rights; law; management; medicine; philosophy; physics; software development; and statistics. The language of instruction – depending on the course – is either French or English.
• The University of Lausanne offers MOOCs on the topics of: ethics; health; law; social sciences; and sports. The languages of instruction are French and English.
• The University of Lucerne occasionally offers MOOCs (on the topic of healthcare, for example).
• The Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI) offers MOOCs on the themes of: architecture; literature; and tourism.
• The University of Zurich offers MOOCs on these topics: environment; medicine; pedagogy; personal finance; and statistics.
• The Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (ZHAW) offers MOOCs on the topics of: biology; food production; linguistics; and sustainability.

How do MOOCs help you?

MOOCs give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge base with little or no monetary cost. With MOOCs, you can access the training you need even if you do not have the accreditation required to attend a Swiss university or college. MOOCs also offer a flexible continuing education solution if you already have a career and want to keep up with the latest developments in your sector.

Is it worth paying for MOOC certificates?

The value of MOOC certificates is disputed. Vocational counselors generally assume that completing MOOCs does not drastically improve your chances on the job market. However, having MOOC certificates in your CV does show prospective employers that you actively continue to educate yourself and are willing to deepen your knowledge as needed. As a general rule, the more well-known the university or college which issues a certificate is, the greater the likelihood of the certificate benefiting you.

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Mobile plans for students: How to get better deals
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