FFHS vs ZHAW
Two universities side by side, by the same criteria and with the same primary sources, so you can see where they really differ.
FFHS or ZHAW: which one suits whom?
ZHAW is not a distance-learning university but a public university of applied sciences with on-campus study, partly part-time. At 720 francs per semester it is cheaper than FFHS at 1,800 francs. FFHS in turn requires only around 20 percent attendance and is the better choice if you cannot travel to Winterthur regularly.
Subject information refers to the focus areas recorded in this portal, not to the complete programme catalogue. Which university suits your situation depends on prior education, available time and goal.
FFHS and ZHAW in detail
The same criteria for both, every entry sourced. The information provided by the university is binding.
| Criterion | FFHS | ZHAW |
|---|---|---|
| Country | CH | CH |
| Operator | federally recognised university of applied sciences (part of SUPSI) | public |
| Location | Brig | Winterthur |
| Founded | 1998 | 2007 |
| Format | Blended Learning, online | On-site, Full-time, part-time / alongside work |
| Start of studies | fixed dates | fixed dates |
| Without Abitur | Yes | n/a |
| Recognition | Federally recognised university of applied sciences (Switzerland), part of SUPSI; admission with the Matura, without the Matura from age 25 with professional experience via an entrance examination | Federally recognised (Switzerland, under HFKG), public-law university of applied sciences under the HFKG (operator: canton of Zurich); Bologna-compliant degrees. |
| Price level | ||
| Price example | CHF 1,800 per semester (20 ECTS, residence in Switzerland or Liechtenstein) | CHF 720 per semester (tuition fee Bachelor/Master) |
What the table does not show
Accreditation. FFHS is institutionally accredited via Swiss Accreditation Council, 2021 (institutional accreditation of FFHS and SUPSI, valid 2021 to 2028), with programme accreditation via No separate programme accreditation required, covered by the institutional accreditation. ZHAW is institutionally accredited via Institutionally accredited under the HFKG by the Swiss Accreditation Council (AAQ).
Subjects. Both offer Psychology, Health. Only FFHS additionally offers Computer Science, Business, Engineering, Law, Nutrition, E-Learning. Only ZHAW additionally offers Business Administration, Technology, Social Work.