How Does the SwissUK™ Dual-Award Model Work?
The SwissUK™ Dual-Award Model – A Harmonised Integration of Two Prestigious Education Frameworks
As global education continues to shift towards competency recognition and standardised learning outcomes, the
Dual-Award model has emerged as an effective and sustainable academic structure. SwissUK™ applies this model in a distinctive way, harmonising the
Swiss Private Degree grounded in the Swiss educational philosophy with a
United Kingdom RQF qualification.
This integration is not a simple combination, but a systematically designed academic framework intended to deliver two complementary layers of value for learners: one reflecting comprehensive competence developed under the Swiss model, and another providing assurance through United Kingdom national standards.
Dual-Award at SwissUK™ – Two Qualification Layers, Distinct Roles, One Shared Objective
1. Swiss Private Degree – The Value Layer Representing the Swiss Education Model
The Swiss Private Degree at SwissUK™ reflects:
- the learner’s continuous academic progression;
- the level of mastery of specialised knowledge;
- the ability to apply competencies in business and professional contexts;
- professional conduct aligned with Switzerland’s applied education model.
The Swiss Private Degree adheres to:
- European academic organisational standards,
- modern learning resources,
- a rigorous internal quality assurance system,
- strict quality oversight by the Academic Board.
This qualification layer demonstrates the learner’s comprehensive competence, making it well suited to international professional environments.
2. RQF Qualification – The Assurance Layer Aligned with United Kingdom National Standards
In parallel with the Swiss Private Degree, learners are awarded a qualification positioned within the
Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) of the United Kingdom. This qualification is:
- recognised by Ofqual (UK Government),
- assigned a public reference number on the national register,
- assessed against defined Learning Outcomes,
- quality assured through both IQA and EQA processes.
The RQF qualification enables learners to:
- demonstrate transparent competency standards,
- achieve international comparability,
- be readily understood and recognised by global employers,
- progress to higher levels of study in international contexts.
These two qualifications do not replace one another; instead, they complement each other to form a dual academic profile.
How Does the Dual-Award Mechanism Operate?
Step 1: Learning within the SwissUK™ Model
Learners engage in the SwissUK™ programme featuring:
- English as the language of instruction,
- assignments and projects aligned with European standards,
- international faculty or instructors trained under SwissUK™ standards,
- learning materials mapped to international competency frameworks.
Programme content is developed based on:
- the Swiss educational philosophy,
- the United Kingdom’s National Occupational Standards (NOS),
- competency frameworks aligned with equivalent RQF levels.
Step 2: IQA – SwissUK™ Internal Quality Assurance
Prior to submission for external review, SwissUK™ conducts:
- verification of assignment structure,
- consistency checks against assessment criteria,
- confirmation of academic integrity,
- standardisation of Learning Outcomes by module.
This is a critical filtering stage to ensure learners meet required standards before independent evaluation.
Step 3: EQA – Independent Review by a United Kingdom Awarding Body
Following IQA, learner work is submitted for
External Quality Assurance (EQA) in the United Kingdom.
This process includes:
- verification of content relevance,
- assessment of achievement against Learning Outcomes,
- benchmarking performance against RQF levels,
- comparison with national assessment rubrics.
The Awarding Body conducts the evaluation independently of SwissUK™, ensuring transparent and objective outcomes.
Step 4: Awarding – Issuance of Two Distinct Qualifications
Upon successful completion and confirmation of standards, learners receive:
- RQF Qualification recognised by the United Kingdom Government
- Swiss Private Degree corresponding to the completed academic level
The two qualifications are awarded by separate authorities:
- the United Kingdom Awarding Body issues the RQF qualification,
- SwissUK™ awards the Swiss Private Degree via SIMI Swiss.
This clearly delineates independence, transparency, and non-overlapping roles.
Academic and Professional Benefits of the Dual-Award Model
1. Transparent Competency Representation Across Two Frameworks
Learners are able to present their profiles through two complementary lenses:
- the Swiss framework (applied learning and holistic competence),
- the United Kingdom framework (quantified standards measured through Learning Outcomes).
In an internationalised context, this enables learner profiles to be clearly understood and interpreted across multiple countries.
2. Enhanced Competitiveness in the International Labour Market
The two qualifications communicate value through distinct academic languages:
- the Swiss qualification emphasises practical applicability,
- the United Kingdom qualification emphasises standardisation and measurability.
As a result, learners gain advantages when applying to:
- European enterprises,
- international and cross-border professional environments,
- multinational corporations,
- non-governmental organisations or global projects.
3. Facilitated Progression to Higher Levels of Study
The RQF qualification serves as a readily benchmarked foundation for:
- progression to master’s programmes,
- progression to doctoral programmes,
- participation in advanced professional certification pathways.
In parallel, the Swiss Private Degree adds applied depth, enabling learners to perform confidently in practice-oriented programmes.
4. Optimised Learning Pathways and Reduced Risk
With the Dual-Award model:
- learners obtain an internationally recognised qualification at each academic stage,
- academic records remain continuous even in the event of interruption,
- learners may enter the workforce earlier with RQF qualifications awarded at each stage.
This model provides a level of flexibility that traditional university pathways often struggle to offer.
Why Is the SwissUK™ Dual-Award Model Distinct from Conventional Dual-Degree Structures?
While many dual-degree programmes exist in the market, the SwissUK™ model stands apart in three key aspects:
1. Two Qualifications with Independent Origins
These are not “affiliated” or franchised awards, but two qualifications issued under separate legal and regulatory systems.
2. Dual-Layer Quality Assurance (Swiss QA + UK QA)
This ensures substantive academic quality rather than reliance on documentation or transferred recognition.
3. Alignment with Competency Standards through NOS and RQF
Learning Outcomes are not purely academic, but are also closely aligned with internationally recognised professional standards.
Conclusion: Dual-Award – SwissUK™’s Academic Hallmark in the Era of Globalisation
The SwissUK™ Dual-Award model is neither a replication nor a simple extension of a single framework.
It is a carefully designed integrated system that delivers two distinct layers of value:
- Swiss Private Degree – representing academic competence within the Swiss education model
- UK RQF Qualification – establishing competency standards under the United Kingdom’s national framework
The harmony between these two qualifications provides learners with:
- strong competitiveness,
- international integration capability,
- transparent demonstration of competence,
- a sustainable academic foundation.
This is why SwissUK™ stands out as a distinctive educational model, well aligned with the aspirations of globally oriented learners.
