Information and General Policies on Top-up Degree

1. The Essence of Topup Degree Program

The Swiss Top-up Degree is a program offered by the Schweizer Institut für Hochschulbildung in Management und Innovation (MI Swiss), an international cooperative institute of SIMI Swiss.

Licensed under the authority of Canton Zug, SIMI Swiss operates as a private higher education institution with full legal rights and functions. As defined by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), SIMI Swiss awards Private Degrees. Being privately established, SIMI Swiss is not part of Switzerland’s public or federal higher education system and does not receive subsidies, financial benefits, or preferential treatment from the Swiss government. Furthermore, SIMI Swiss is not subject to the provisions of the Federal Act on Funding and Coordination of the Swiss Higher Education Sector (HEdA), SR 414.20, enacted on September 30, 2011.

The undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by SIMI Swiss are tailored to meet employer demands, emphasizing professional training to enhance the work and research capabilities of students. These programs are independently developed and accredited under international quality assurance systems, and they differ from programs adhering to the Swiss national education framework. Consequently, SIMI Swiss degrees are not classified as federal qualifications and are not part of the Swiss public university or federal education systems.

As an independent private institution with recognized international accreditations, SIMI Swiss operates outside the scope of the Swiss public education system. It does not receive financial support or oversight from the Swiss federal government. However, the degrees conferred by SIMI Swiss are authorized for independent evaluation by organizations or entities, based on its established academic reputation and adherence to international accreditation standards.

2. SIMI Swiss delivery methods

With the support of partner universities and program implementation by SIMI Swiss, students enrolling in Top-up Degree programs will study directly with SIMI Swiss and receive their degree from the partner university.

With the aim of becoming a leading private higher education institute in training based on the Off-campus learning model (a combination of Live Class and local academic support system), SIMI Swiss implements the training model:

  • For international students in countries without SIMI Swiss partners or campuses: Students will engage in online learning with Live Class sessions directly led by SIMI Swiss instructors.
  • For students in countries with partners or campuses recognized by SIMI Swiss, learners will participate in Live Class sessions with SIMI Swiss instructors, concurrently engaging in local support activities facilitated by the partner.
  • For students attending SIMI Switzerland campuses located in various countries, learning is conducted through the traditional face-to-face training model.

Please be aware that local partners provide support but do not have the authority to determine alternative study outcomes with SIMI Swiss. The sole discretion to decide on academic results rests with SIMI Swiss and partner universities involved in the assessment and diploma awarding process.

3. SIMI Swiss campus (Topup Degree Governing Body)

To support its development strategy and the implementation of the Off-campus training model, SIMI Swiss has invested in numerous offices, e-campuses, and campuses in Switzerland and various countries. The objective of establishing multiple locations and distributing offices is to ensure that academic support and training activities are more accessible and closer to learners.

During the program implementation, whether following the Off-campus, full-time, or online model, SIMI Swiss may rent, collaborate, transfer, or franchise the use of facilities to support its operations. It is important for students and related parties to understand that the facilities, libraries, online systems, and on-campus infrastructures—such as e-campus or city campuses—used by SIMI Swiss may not be fully owned by SIMI Swiss. These facilities could be shared with other entities or fully owned by government organizations. Students should be aware of this arrangement when visiting and using these facilities.

For students studying at SIMI Swiss Campuses, depending on the organizational model and the nature of the class, SIMI Swiss may assign a suitable learning campus. However, SIMI Swiss does not guarantee that students at SIMI Swiss Campuses will have access to all available facilities or study on large campuses, or the entire campus where SIMI Swiss operates. Students are also expected to acknowledge and comply with strict requirements and regulations to ensure security and respect for ownership.

4. Visiting the campus, city campus, or e-campus in Switzerland or any other country is allowed for relatives of full-time students only.

To ensure safety and security, as most SIMI and MI Swiss offices, campuses, and e-campuses are located within office buildings and/or government premises, and to maintain fairness and proper management, parents and relatives of FULL-TIME students who wish to visit SIMI and MI Swiss facilities—including offices, campuses, e-campuses, and city campuses—are required to provide prior notice.

SIMI and MI Swiss reserves the right to approve or deny the request, taking into consideration its work schedule and human resources plan.

When visiting either the city campus or e-campus of SIMI and MI Swiss, please take note of the following:

    1. Only relatives of full-time students are allowed. We do not accept or arrange visits for online students and their relatives to visit the office, campus, e-campus, city campus.
    2. Advance notice is necessary, and tour dates are not bound by SIMI and MI Swiss public holidays and seasonal schedules.
    3. Students should be aware that the city campus or e-campus is an executive office, constituting a segment of the building's campus and not a sprawling campus akin to public schools.
    4. Some training venues, libraries, and facilities catering to students operate in collaboration with partner universities in Switzerland or public schools in Switzerland. It's important for students to recognize that these facilities are owned either by the Swiss government or a partner university. Under these collaborative programs, only the parents of students studying in Switzerland are permitted to visit and experience these facilities.
    5. Students are expected to prioritize safety and security and should refrain from disrupting the day-to-day operations of SIMI and MI Swiss. Additionally, students bear the responsibility for compensating any damage incurred to SIMI and MI Swiss facilities, as well as facilities belonging to partners and government entities in case of damage or loss.

SIMI and MI Swiss recognizes the cultural variations in educational practices across countries, and it's common for international students to envision schools with expansive campuses. However, this perception doesn't necessarily apply to private schools in Switzerland, particularly under SIMI and MI Swiss's strategic innovation model. Committed to transparent information, SIMI and MI Swiss refrains from making commitments beyond its control or presenting inaccurate or unrealistic content. SIMI and MI Swiss encourages prospective students to engage in proactive learning, understanding, and embracing the journey with the expectation of excellent academic experiences.

5. Graduation Ceremony for Students Receiving Degrees from Partner Universities

For students enrolled in SIMI Swiss programs but receiving their degrees exclusively from a partner university, the graduation ceremony is arranged and conducted by the partner university.

Typically, partner universities organize graduation ceremonies at both their main campus and an Asian location, allowing students to attend based on the university’s scheduled arrangements.

Graduation ceremony fees are not included in the tuition fees.

6. Graduation Ceremony for Students Receiving Degrees from SIMI Swiss

With the Live Class Learning model, SIMI and MI Swiss attracts students from diverse regions and countries worldwide.

In practice, students often face challenges in getting visas and securing the privilege to travel to Switzerland for the graduation ceremony, significantly impacting both the organizational aspects and the applicants. Although possessing the right to attend the ceremony, a considerable number of graduating students were absent.

In this context, SIMI and MI Swiss has decided to discontinue holding annual graduation ceremonies in Switzerland for online and off-campus students starting in 2023. Instead, SIMI and MI Swiss will organize regional graduation ceremonies for graduating students. To facilitate this, SIMI and MI Swiss will collaborate with local partners and send representatives to distribute diplomas at these events.

Graduation ceremony fees are not included in tuition.

Disclaimer and Policy

1. General Information

The Swiss Top-up Degree is a program offered by the Schweizer Institut für Hochschulbildung in Management und Innovation (MI Swiss), an international cooperative institute of SIMI Swiss.

Licensed under the authority of Canton Zug, SIMI Swiss operates as a private higher education institution with full legal rights and functions. As defined by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), SIMI Swiss awards Private Degrees. Being privately established, SIMI Swiss is not part of Switzerland’s public or federal higher education system and does not receive subsidies, financial benefits, or preferential treatment from the Swiss government. Furthermore, SIMI Swiss is not subject to the provisions of the Federal Act on Funding and Coordination of the Swiss Higher Education Sector (HEdA), SR 414.20, enacted on September 30, 2011.

The undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by SIMI Swiss are tailored to meet employer demands, emphasizing professional training to enhance the work and research capabilities of students. These programs are independently developed and accredited under international quality assurance systems, and they differ from programs adhering to the Swiss national education framework. Consequently, SIMI Swiss degrees are not classified as federal qualifications and are not part of the Swiss public university or federal education systems.

As an independent private institution with recognized international accreditations, SIMI Swiss operates outside the scope of the Swiss public education system. It does not receive financial support or oversight from the Swiss federal government. However, the degrees conferred by SIMI Swiss are authorized for independent evaluation by organizations or entities, based on its established academic reputation and adherence to international accreditation standards.

2. Who could study with TopUp Degree?

Applicants participating in the Topup Degree programs will study with SIMI Swiss and meet the competency and entry requirements of each program, as announced by SIMI and Topup Degree, to be eligible to apply with SIMI and Topup Degree.

As a higher education provider institution, we thoroughly assist students in becoming registered at TopUp Degree, regardless of diverse backgrounds that include ethnicity, place of origin, circumstances, or religious beliefs.

Students enrolling in the Topup Degree programs offered by MI Swiss must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the student handbook, which includes the requirement to provide accurate information. If candidates and students violate the principle of honesty, SIMI and MI Swiss reserves the right to refuse admission, cancel student status, and nullify cumulative results. In this case, there will be no reimbursement for fees and related expenses. The infringer must compensate SIMI Swiss and related parties for any necessary losses.

3. MI Swiss License and Programs

The Swiss Top-up Degree is a program offered by the Schweizer Institut für Hochschulbildung in Management und Innovation (MI Swiss), an international cooperative institute of SIMI Swiss. MI Swiss operates as a private Higher Education Institution (HEI), licensed by Canton Zug.

Although international accreditation is not obligatory in Switzerland, SIMI Swiss actively advocates for it to ensure the professionalism of the training process and to facilitate continuous improvement. Accreditations will be regularly updated in multiple languages on the official SIMI Swiss website.

As a private higher education institution, SIMI Swiss provides students with market-oriented education, study flexibility, and alignment with market needs. The programs, delivered in English, cater to global students and operate independently of Swiss government regulations and frameworks. Awards from SIMI Swiss are issued by the institution and are not affiliated with Switzerland's Federal qualifications or the public higher education system in the country.

The programs of SIMI and MI Swiss align with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and European Union higher education guidelines. While there are various national, regional, and institutional recognition systems, the recognition and acceptance of degrees ultimately depend on each country's legal framework and the discretion of receiving institutions or organizations.

Therefore, SIMI Swiss, MI Swiss, and the Top-up Degree program do not provide any guarantee regarding the recognition or acceptance of their degrees by any country, region, or organization. Additionally, SIMI Swiss and its partners do not commit to or facilitate any degree recognition processes at any stage—before, during, or after graduation—in any country or institution.

Applicants are strongly advised to conduct comprehensive research before applying to and enrolling in SIMI Swiss, MI Swiss, or the Top-up Degree program.

4. Content published and Training scope

SIMI, MI Swiss, and the Top-up Degree program consistently updates its information and lectures to remain responsive and adaptable to changes in the workplace and related regulations. The content on the website, in publications, emails, and other media is accurate at the time of communication but is subject to change without prior notice.

 

The training scope and program may change during the process of rolling out the program, but it must still meet the competency framework and the assessment criteria of the independent accrediting unit. If the original agreement is modified, SIMI, MI Swiss, and the Top-up Degree program will notify students of any changes, new programs, and alternative learning paths, as applicable. In cases of changing and severely affected economic and political situations, as well as force majeure events, the training method is subject to adjustments. During such circumstances, the school will inform and consult with the student and revise the student’s initial training plan accordingly.

 

Third-party learning materials are either purchased, rented, or licensed by SIMI, MI Swiss, and the Top-up Degree program. Some learning materials are compiled by SIMI Swiss lecturers. While all these materials have been evaluated and approved by the SIMI Swiss Academic Board, they may occasionally contain inappropriate content when applied to certain international students. In such instances, SIMI, MI Swiss, and the Top-up Degree program will promptly modify the training scope if it deems the impact significant, but it cannot be held responsible, either solely or jointly, for any damages resulting from the training scope.

Students and stakeholders may only use the training content for personal learning and research purposes, and it may not be copied in any form, commercial or non-commercial. Copyright-related content will be stated more clearly in the Copyright Policy section.

5. Academic Credits

Credit is the acknowledgment of the amount and duration of study required to acquire knowledge.

SIMI Swiss employs the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) for its credit system. Some SIMI and MI Swiss programs also utilize the UK RQF credit system due to our partnership with the British education system.

 

The Academic Board at SIMI Swiss is responsible for internal credit recognition. It’s important to note that while SIMI, MI Swiss and our partners perform this recognition, we cannot guarantee that these credits will also be recognized by other universities or entities not affiliated with SIMI Swiss.

If you intend to transfer your SIMI Swiss credits to another educational institution or system, we recommend consulting with the destination university or other entity first. While SIMI and MI Swiss will offer assistance within our capabilities, we do not intervene in the admissions processes of other universities. It’s crucial to understand that SIMI and MI Swiss cannot commit to guaranteed recognition when transferring to another institution.

The concept of “credits” varies across different educational systems, particularly in terms of training duration and the credit formation model. Learners should consider these differences if they plan to transfer credits and/or academic results of a Top-up Degree to other educational systems.

6. Recognition of Academic Progress and Qualifications

Students will be recognized for their academic progress and awarded a degree from SIMI Swiss upon completing coursework and complying with our requirements and obligations, including academic discipline and integrity. In the case of students who pursue dual degrees or programs with our partners, they may also receive additional diplomas or certifications from these institutions. See the Disclaimer section HERE.

 

It’s important to note that every country, institution, and region has specific rules and criteria for recognizing academic progress and qualifications. The recognition and acceptance of degrees are subjective decisions made by the relevant agencies, government authorities, or in accordance with regional policies, as per international norms. While SIMI Swiss’s degrees are accredited by an independent accreditor, align with competency frameworks, and are subject to internal and external assessments, this does not automatically guarantee recognition or acceptance. SIMI, MI Swiss and TopUp Degree program do not provide a guarantee of recognition in any country for any purpose, including employment, teaching, research supervision, and any other purposes.

 

Built on these principles, SIMI, MI Swiss and TopUp Degree program necessitate that learners clarify their status before enrollment. Furthermore, SIMI, MI Swiss and TopUp Degree program do not endorse or support any processes related to recognition in any country or location.

7. Information Assurance, Security and GDPR

SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree strives to protect personal information by strictly adhering to regulations, ensuring information safety and security, and implementing the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

 

Apart from collecting information necessary for program implementation, training, and quality improvement purposes, SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree does not gather information from students or partners. Any disclosure to third parties, other than for the abovementioned purposes, will only occur in response to orders/requests from competent authorities.

 

In the event of information security breaches resulting from unauthorized access, SIMI Swiss collaborates with relevant authorities and parties to resolve such issues. SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree disclaims liability for intrusions beyond our control.

8. Fairness, Liberation, and Learning Freedom

SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree fairness rules when admitting students, commenting on results, and reviewing and allocating scholarships, funding, and budgets to students and stakeholders. It does so without regard for gender, ethnicity, race, religion, and political beliefs.

Because SIMI Swiss is a private independent HEI, its training system and program structure allow students to freely choose their major, a study plan, and quickly transfer to another university when a change is desired.

SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree abides by human rights regulations, including protecting and promoting the human right to education. Students at SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree can freely choose their major, a study plan, and easily switch to another major when they want a change.

9. Copyright Policy
The intellectual property rights of content providers, instructors, students, and other third parties are respected by SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree. Respect for intellectual property rights is likewise expected of students and users of our educational system.
 
When studying or collaborating with SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree, students, and other stakeholders must follow signed or unsigned regulations that follow international copyright practices.
 
All information published by SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree and its partners, including learning materials, documents, forms, minutes, and other contents published officially or unofficially, internally or externally, are the property of SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree. Students, partners, and other stakeholders must not copy, use, or reuse material for purposes other than learning and personal research. Outside of the above copyright agreement, all reproduction activities for either commercial or non-commercial purposes are copyright infringements against SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree.
 
Copyright infringement is one of the most serious infringements, according to SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree. SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree has the authority and reserves the right to terminate a student’s status, annul the student’s results, degrees, and online account if it is discovered that the student infringes on intellectual property rights. This policy remains in effect even after the learning process has been completed.
 
In the event that a student or another party violates the copyright, resulting in damages (including actual and intended or implied damages), SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree fully supports the investigation process but is not responsible for any material, financial, or liability disclaimer if it is determined that the infringement of copyright is beyond SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree’s scope of influence.
10. Faulty Communication and Unfair Competition Prevention

Protecting the reputations of students, partners, and SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree is a top priority for a HEI that accepts students from all over the world. Transparency of information, anti-false communication, and anti-unfair competition policies are all mandatory regulations that must be followed in accordance with EU regulations and conventions as well as international conventions.

SIMI, MI Swiss, and Topup Degree coordinates with members in other countries, consular offices in SIMI Swiss partner countries, and SIMI Swiss member universities to assist in ensuring the legitimate interests of students, SIMI Swiss legal entities, SIMI Swiss partners, and SIMI Swiss itself.

When there are media-related issues and the information stated in the press release (announcement/article) is false and/or harms the university’s reputation, interests, and related interests, SIMI Swiss, in collaboration with universities and global partners, and the Ministry of Education, Consular Affairs, and the legal department will implement a process to prevent faulty communication, as detailed below. Please remember that the content published here is only a small step of the process and is only available in countries and territories where SIMI Swiss accepts its students.

False communication behaviors include the following:
  • The legality of SIMI, MI Swiss, and its partners;
  • international accreditation and recognition of SIMI, MI Swiss, and its partners;
  • Legitimacy and the right to take part in education regardless of one’s age, gender, socioeconomic class, or location;
  • Information and photos that are the assets of the SIMI, MI Swiss, and its partners, or any other actions that may influence or hurt the institution’s reputation, honor, and interests as well as those of its partners and students worldwide;
  • Communication actions that, whether purposefully or accidentally, lead to misunderstandings or are only partially accurate, display unfair competition, are not true to their nature;
  • Content that violates the public disclosure of the disclaimer issued by SIMI, MI Swiss, and its partners;
  • Associating the names and images of SIMI and MI Swiss with negative information (even if the information is true) that is unrelated to SIMI and MI Swiss, causing misunderstandings about their integrity and diminishing their reputation.
False communication management procedures (applicable in several countries):

Creating a bailiff and a disposal squad

SIMI and MI Swiss develops a team (AKA a bailiff and a disposal squad) to handle the incident, gathers all relevant information, collects evidence, and collaborates with interested parties to readily handle it in three steps as follows:

Step 1: Alert the parties involved and related parties.

Inform the involved parties of the violation, as well as the diplomatic mission in the country where the university is registered to operate and the representative of the host country’s diplomatic mission in the country where the university is registered to operate.

Step 2: Request that the responsible party make good the damage

Issue an official notice and request that the involved party make good the damage by providing (1) a description of the violating behavior; (2) evidence; (3) damage estimates; and (4) the terms have been violated in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, conventions, and so on to which the university has signed and/or the national government of the country in which the incident occurred.

Step 3: Keep a close eye on the remediation process.

If the faulty communication behavior is not completely made good, we will monitor the remediation process of the responsible party in concern and take other firm and strict measures.

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