Why SwissEdu Does Not Award Degrees Directly

In many higher education models, teaching and degree awarding are typically carried out by the same institution. This approach is familiar and convenient; however, in the context of cross-border education and multi-system academic recognition, it also presents certain limitations. When a single system is responsible for teaching, assessment, and degree awarding, external benchmarking and recognition often become more complex.

For this reason, within digital higher education, not awarding degrees directly is not a shortcoming, but a deliberate academic and structural choice.

Degree awarding is a matter of authority, not merely a procedure

Degree awarding is not simply an administrative activity, but an academic and legal authority. Each university and each education system operates within a specific scope of authority, established through its legal framework, academic tradition, and accreditation mechanisms.

When an entity operates beyond its recognised authority to award degrees, the value of those degrees may be questioned, particularly in international contexts. Respecting the degree-awarding authority of universities is therefore a critical factor in ensuring legitimacy and recognition.

Risks when teaching and degree awarding are not separated

In many traditional models, teaching, assessment, and degree awarding take place within a single closed system. This can give rise to three main risks.

1. First, conflicts of academic interest. When one entity is responsible for the entire cycle, ensuring independence in assessment becomes challenging.
2. Second, limited cross-recognition. External systems often face difficulties in verifying or benchmarking learning outcomes without independent assessment mechanisms.
3. Third, dependency on a single system. Learners become tied to one degree-awarding source, reducing flexibility in how learning outcomes can be used.

These risks become even more pronounced in a digital higher education environment, where learners are no longer constrained by geographical boundaries.

Separating teaching and recognition in digital higher education

One of the core principles of digital higher education is the clear separation between teaching and recognition. Under this model:

• the education system focuses on organising learning and assessing competencies,
• while recognition and degree awarding rest with universities that hold the appropriate authority.

This approach ensures that each stage of the academic cycle is carried out by an entity with the relevant authority and expertise, while also enabling benchmarking and recognition across systems.

The role of SwissEdu⁺ in a decentralised degree-awarding model

Within the digital higher education model, SwissEdu⁺ is designed as an academic platform rather than a degree-awarding body. Its primary roles are to:

• organise academic programmes,
• assess competencies and learning outcomes,
• verify and structure learning results for benchmarking purposes.

These outcomes are then transferred to partner universities for consideration of recognition and degree awarding within their respective authorities. This approach preserves academic independence while enhancing recognition across different contexts.

Not awarding degrees does not mean reduced value

A common misconception is that not awarding degrees directly implies diminished academic value. In practice, the opposite is often true. When teaching and recognition are separated, the value of learning outcomes becomes clearer, as they can be assessed and verified by multiple independent entities.

For learners, this results in:

• greater transparency of learning value,
• more flexible use of recognised learning outcomes,
• and reduced dependency on a single system.

Conclusion

Not awarding degrees directly is a deliberate choice within the digital higher education model, aimed at ensuring legitimacy, transparency, and academic recognition. Rather than focusing on degree-awarding authority, this model prioritises the creation of learning value that can be verified and benchmarked.

Under this approach, SwissEdu⁺ serves as a neutral academic platform, supporting partner universities in recognising learning outcomes and awarding degrees based on learners’ demonstrated competencies. This clear decentralisation forms a sustainable foundation for academic recognition in the digital higher education environment.