Validation of Prior Learning (Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience - VAE) aims to recognize professional and extra-professional knowledge, skills and aptitudes. With a view to enriching its educational mission by opening up to a wider public, UNIGE offers VAE in the context of lifelong learning.

UNIGE was the first Swiss university to admit candidates without a maturité diploma, at the end of the 1970s. In 2008, it took a new step forward by offering VAE for the first time in Switzerland.

VAE is open to anyone with an educational project who can demonstrate professional experience directly related to a diploma. It allows exemption from part of the program or from additional studies required for admission to the diploma in question.

Candidates must satisfy the prerequisites for enrollment in the VAE process, and are required to report on their experience as part of the VAE procedure offered by UNIGE.

The VAE Office offers personalized advice and support throughout the process (FR).

The Réseau romand de la VAE (FR) also offers a quiz (FR) to help you assess whether VAE is right for you.

Three faculties, one institute and one center participate in this initiative:

• The Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (FPSE);
• The Faculty of Science;
• The Geneva School of Social Sciences (SdS);
• The University Institute of Teacher Education (IUFE);
• The Computer Science Centre (CUI).