Doctoral Practice, recognised under the UK National Competency Framework, represents the highest executive capability standard (Level 8) in the United Kingdom for senior specialists and top leaders. The programme is built on a government-designed competency framework to meet the growing demand for C-Suite capability in an increasingly complex legal and policy environment—where MBAs and Master’s degrees no longer create a clear distinction, traditional academic doctorates take years and are not practice-focused, and short courses often lack structure and formal recognition.

What sets SwissUK™ Doctoral Practice programmes apart

• Designed in close alignment with the advanced Senior Leader national competency framework—developed with input from leading corporations and used as an industry benchmark for the C-Suite—thereby recognising the highest level of executive capability and aligning with the top tier of the UK and European national education frameworks.
• Upon successful completion, learners are awarded the Doctoral Practice Diploma, which is recognised within the UK national system and valued by large and mega-scale enterprises for its competency outcomes. Graduates are also supported in completing the process to obtain a UK Qualification Reference Statement issued by the representative of the UK Department for Education, in accordance with current regulations.
• Particularly suited for executive leadership in multinational groups and large enterprises, especially when MBAs and Master’s degrees no longer offer a clear competitive advantage and academic doctorates are distant from real-world executive practice.
• A “learn-to-lead” model focused entirely on doctoral-level practical capability under the Doctoral Practice pathway, designed for completion within one year and not requiring an academic doctoral thesis as in traditional programmes.
• The competency achieved through the Doctoral Practice Diploma exceeds the qualification and skills thresholds often expected in UK skilled-worker routes, strengthening professional, migration, and settlement profiles as a senior specialist.
• Switzerland and the United Kingdom have signed an agreement on mutual recognition of professional qualifications, enabling holders of the Doctoral Practice Diploma to access government-regulated sectors—areas that were previously largely dominated by Swiss public universities in terms of training and awards.

Learn more:

• Programme recognition at Band 14 by UK ENIC, aligned with the Level 8 competency standard under the UK framework — See HERE.
• Agreement on the recognition of professional qualifications between Switzerland and the United Kingdom — See HERE.

The programme awards two qualifications:

• Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice – awarded by OTHM (United Kingdom)
• Doctoral Practice Diploma in Strategic Human Resource Management – awarded by SIMI Swiss (Switzerland)

These two qualifications are fully integrated, creating maximum strength and value for graduates upon completion.

Yes.

• The OTHM qualification is regulated by Ofqual (UK Government), ensuring national standards of quality, transparency, and compliance in the United Kingdom.
• SIMI Swiss is an international higher education institute operating under the Swiss Private HEI model, registered and governed in the Canton of Zug. It is responsible for the academic value of its Private Degree programmes in accordance with Swiss law.

Yes.

• The OTHM qualification is part of the RQF and regulated by Ofqual, and it is recognised at the Doctorate Level within the UK education system.

References:

• Official UK Government recognition assessment: HERE
• Recognition of equivalency to a Doctorate’s degree in the UK and across Europe: HERE

The UK Qualification Reference Statement issued by an authorised representative of the UK Department for Education is the highest-level document confirming the status of a graduate’s qualification, serving to authenticate and recognise:

• Verification that the qualification is recognised in the United Kingdom.
• Recognition of the qualification’s level and position within the UK national qualification frameworks, including all three frameworks:
  • The Regulated Qualifications Framework of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (RQF)
  • The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
  • The Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)

Example: A qualification recognised by the UK Department for Education with the notation UK Framework Levels – RQF Level 8 / SCQF Level 12 / CQFW Level 8 means that the qualification is classified at the DOCTORATE’S level across the entire United Kingdom and holds academic validity in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

• Confirmation that the awarding institution is recognised by the UK Government.
• Confirmation of the entry requirements for obtaining the qualification.
• Confirmation of the assessment and examination procedures.
• Confirmation of the graduate’s competency and employability.
• Confirmation of progression opportunities for further study within the UK National Education System after completing the qualification.

Yes.
The SwissUK degree awarded by SIMI is recognised for employment in Switzerland without any additional procedures, as the position of Human Resources Specialist belongs to the group of occupations that do not require a professional licence.

The Governments of Switzerland and the United Kingdom have signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement on Professional Qualifications, effective from 01/01/2025. Under this agreement, professional qualifications issued in either country may be submitted for recognition when applying for a professional licence in the other country, including professions that fall under the professionally regulated category—those requiring a licence to practise.

As a result, qualifications within the SwissUK™ education system—particularly programmes awarded by Ofqual Awarding Bodies—are eligible to be submitted as part of the initial application for recognition or for obtaining a new professional licence in Switzerland, in accordance with the mechanisms defined in the agreement.

References:

• Swiss–UK Mutual Recognition Agreement on Professional Qualifications from the UK Government: HERE
• Swiss–UK Mutual Recognition Agreement on Professional Qualifications from the Swiss Government: HERE
• List of approximately 200 regulated professions requiring a professional licence under the Swiss–UK Mutual Recognition Agreement (qualifications within the SwissUK™ system—including those from Ofqual Awarding Bodies—are eligible for initial assessment according to the agreement): HERE

UK ENIC benchmarks RQF Level 8 at Band 14, which is equivalent to a Master’s Level. See more details HERE

Yes.

According to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), RQF Level 8 is aligned with EQF Level 8. See more details HERE

Yes. It may be evaluated as equivalent to Postgraduate level, depending on the individual application, through:

• CICIC (Canada)
• WES (USA/Canada)

The final outcome depends on the purpose of the evaluation and the independent assessment conducted by these agencies. See more details HERE

Yes.

The qualification integrates the competency standards for the Senior People Professional – Occupational Code OCC0813A under the UK occupational framework. See more details HERE

According to labor market data from the United Kingdom, the average annual salary for the Management and Administration group (which includes manager roles aligned with this programme) is £50,064 per year. See more details HERE

Yes.

According to the Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules (effective 2025), the minimum qualification level for the Skilled Worker Visa has been raised to RQF Level 6.

A qualification at RQF Level 8 exceeds the mandatory academic requirement.

• See more details HERE

Yes.

As the programme is positioned at Level 8 (doctorate-level) but does not require a traditional doctoral thesis, learners may progress directly to the final stage of doctoral study at public universities in the United Kingdom or Europe, should they wish to pursue a Doctorate / PhD.

Common progression pathways include:

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) across relevant specialisations;
• PhD in fields such as Human Resource Management, Strategic Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour, Leadership, Management, Business, and related disciplines.

Reference: Recognition of RQF/EQF Level 8 as a Doctoral Level under international education standards. See more details: HERE

All qualification recognitions, top-ups, or transfers under the Swiss and UK education systems are subject to the specific policies of the receiving institution or relevant authority — verification should be conducted in advance where applicable.

Yes.

• SIMI Swiss provides consular legalization services for its qualifications. See more HERE.
• OTHM offers an online qualification verification system via QR Code. See more HERE.
• The UK Department for Education confirms that OTHM qualifications (including those bearing the SIMI name) are officially recognised by the UK Government and mapped to RQF Level 8 / SCQF Level 12 / CQFW Level 8 (Doctorate Level)

Information relating to the programme, the qualification, its accreditation status, and any associated recognition frameworks is derived from official publications issued by the UK Government, statutory regulatory authorities, and other competent bodies. All information is accurate as of the date of publication; however, it may be amended, revised, or withdrawn at any time without prior notice, pursuant to updates in applicable policies, regulations, or statutory instruments.

Although recognition, cross-recognition, and equivalency frameworks are established on transparent, objective, and verifiable criteria, each country, ministry, governmental department, professional body, or receiving institution retains sole discretion and full adjudicatory authority to determine whether a qualification is recognised, accepted, or deemed equivalent under its internal regulations and legal jurisdiction. Accordingly, learners bear full responsibility for verifying recognition requirements directly with the relevant authority or institution before relying on the qualification for any legal, academic, or professional purpose.

In accordance with principles of transparency and jurisdictional compliance, SIMI Swiss, UKeU®, OTHM, and all related parties do not make any commitment or representation regarding qualification recognition, equivalency, immigration status, or professional licensing in any country, ministry, department, or regulatory body.

This information is provided to ensure accuracy and transparency in public communication, consistent with international standards and best practices in academic disclosure.