Master Licentiate equivalency

The Swiss University Conference has resolved to grant persons holding earlier types of academic degrees (licentiates and diplomas) a status equivalent to the Master’s degrees.

The idea behind this provision is to protect the "old" degrees from exclusion resulting from the Bologna reform. For example, it is not permitted to place additional requirements only on licentiates for admission to Ph.D. courses or further education courses.

For graduates holding a licentiate from the University of St.Gallen, this provision means specifically: 

• The licentiate is equivalent to a Master of Arts without subject specification, i.e.  a “Master of Arts HSG” or abbreviated “M.A. HSG” at the University of St.Gallen. As the content and structure of the new degree courses differ from the licentiate degree courses, no major (e.g. “Master of Arts in Business Administration” or similar) may be used. Other titles, such as “MBA HSG” or similar, may not be used either. 
• The title “M.A. HSG” may be used as an alternative to the licentiate title. It is not permitted to use both the old and the new title on the same document, as this would falsely suggest a double degree. 
• A diploma certificate conferring the title “Master of Arts HSG” cannot be issued. The original degree is and will remain the licentiate. The equivalence described above can be confirmed in writing.
• Furthermore, duplicates of licentiate diplomas can be petitioned in German, English, French and Italian. These are marked with “duplicate” and cost CHF 20.00  per copy (including postage). Additional fees apply to degrees obtained prior to 1993 (Detail-Lic., Diploma).

The requirements and procedures are the same as for the confirmation of equivalence.

On request, the equivalence of licentiates and Master’s degrees will be confirmed in writing.
The equivalence confirmation is issued in German and English and costs CHF 10.00  (including postage).
In order to process your enquiry quickly, we require the following information: 

• Personal details (name, maiden name if applicable, first name) and address 
• Matriculation number or date of birth 
• Date degree was obtained and major
• For degrees obtained prior to 1993, a copy of the licentiate certificate as well

Please send the fee together with the required information to the following address:

University of St.Gallen
Degree course administration
Dufourstrasse 50
CH-9000 St.Gallen

If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to master@unisg.ch.

For duplicates and translations of diplomas for further education courses, please contact the relevant institution (institute, Executive School). The degree course administration is unfortunately unable to assist you in this manner.