Professional Bachelor's and Professional Master's Degrees: New Recognition for Banking Degrees

August 11, 2026

Effective October 1, 2026, holders of a federal certificate, a federal diploma, or a higher education diploma will be able to supplement their credentials with the new designations “Professional Bachelor” or “Professional Master.” The reform also applies to degrees earned prior to that date, including several banking qualifications for which the ISFB has historically provided training in French-speaking Switzerland.

Effective October 1, 2026, the amendment to the Federal Vocational Training Act will introduce two new title designations:

• Professional Bachelor's degree for holders of a federal certificate or a college diploma;
• Professional Master's degree for holders of a federal diploma obtained after passing a federal advanced vocational examination.

These designations do not replace the official title. They must appear after the official title and may not be used on their own.

A degree holder may not, therefore, simply refer to themselves as a “Professional Master.” They must use the protected title corresponding to their degree, followed by a comma and then the applicable designation. The exact wording on the degree certificate is thus the first reference to check.

The reform will also apply to degrees earned before it takes effect.

Banking Studies in the History of the ISFB

This trend is particularly evident in the history of the ISFB. As early as 1989, the Institute began offering training programs in Geneva to prepare students for advanced qualifications in the banking sector, including the federal diploma in banking economics, commonly known at the time as the “banking master’s degree.”

These training programs were part of the industry’s national initiatives, which have evolved over the years alongside reforms in higher vocational education. For several decades, the ISFB has thus helped prepare numerous banking professionals in French-speaking Switzerland to obtain federally recognized qualifications.

Since the titles and educational pathways have changed, the applicable designation must now be determined based on the exact nature of the degree obtained: a federal certificate entitles the holder to the title “Professional Bachelor”; a federal diploma obtained upon passing an advanced vocational examination entitles the holder to the title “Professional Master”; and a higher education diploma (ES) entitles the holder to the title “Professional Bachelor.”

The word “diploma” alone is therefore not sufficient to determine the applicable title suffix. A federal diploma and an ES diploma do not result in the same title suffix.

If there is any doubt regarding an older degree, the holder should check their original diploma and refer to the information published by SEFRI. The ISFB cannot provide advice or determine on a case-by-case basis which supplementary requirements apply to each historical degree.

What should past graduates do?

No action will be required to obtain the right to use the additional title as of October 1, 2026.

Graduates should, however, locate their diploma and use its exact title, specify the type of degree earned—federal certificate, federal diploma, or ES diploma—and then add the corresponding designation after the official title.

They may also consult the information and explanatory documents published by SEFRI and, when it is relevant to their professional interests, determine whether they are eligible to apply for a new diploma supplement that includes the additional title. This option is subject to the conditions set by SEFRI.

However, the “Professional Master” designation does not entitle the holder to present the degree as a “Master’s in Banking,” a “Master of Science (MSc),” a “Master of Arts (MA),” or a “Master of Advanced Studies (MAS).” These designations correspond to other categories of degrees or diplomas.

A point to keep in mind for recruiters

The introduction of the “Professional Bachelor” and “Professional Master” designations will require a more careful reading of the degrees listed on resumes.

A Professional Master’s degree is a federal degree in advanced vocational education. It is not a university master’s degree.

In particular, it must be distinguished from the Master of Science and Master of Arts degrees awarded by universities, federal institutes of technology, or universities of applied sciences, as well as from the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) degrees, which fall under the category of continuing education at higher education institutions. It must also be distinguished from degrees awarded by private institutions or non-university organizations, as well as from foreign degrees, the status of which depends on the respective education system.

If in doubt, the recruiter should verify the full title of the degree, the issuing institution, the original diploma, and, if available, its supplement. They may also contact SERI for questions regarding federal certificates, federal diplomas, and higher vocational school (ES) diplomas; Swiss ENIC for the evaluation of certain foreign university degrees; or the institution that issued the diploma when verification of its authenticity is necessary, with costs that may sometimes apply.

More Clear Recognition

These new additions do not alter the nature of the degrees or the skills acquired. They simply give them a name that is easier to understand, particularly in an international context.

For those who previously held the federal banking master’s degree, these credentials also serve as contemporary recognition of a demanding career path, built on professional experience, on-the-job training, and the successful completion of a federal exam.

© Institut Supérieur de Formation Bancaire (ISFB). All rights reserved.
The analyses and content published by the ISFB may be quoted or reproduced in part, provided that the source is clearly mentioned. Any full or substantial reproduction of this article in another medium or format is subject to the prior written authorization of the ISFB. In order to facilitate reading and without any intention of discrimination, the masculine gender is generally used, in accordance with the grammatical rule that allows it to be used as a neutral value to refer to a group of people comprising both men and women. This publication is intended for ISFB members and their employees in Switzerland, as well as anyone interested in finance in Switzerland. It is not intended to be read or distributed in any jurisdiction where its distribution would be prohibited.

These new additions do not change the nature of the degrees or the skills acquired. They simply give them a name that is easier to understand.