UniDistance Suisse was accredited as a university institute by the Swiss Accreditation Council on 26 June 2020.
This initial accreditation marked an important step in the development of the institute towards cantonal university status. It confirmed the quality of its achievements in teaching, research and organisation, and strengthened its position within the Swiss higher education landscape. The accreditation is valid until 25 June 2027.
A new milestone will be reached with the accreditation renewal. By the end of August, UniDistance Suisse will complete an intensive self-evaluation phase, ahead of the external review by an expert panel scheduled for autumn 2026.
To ensure broad participation across all university stakeholder groups, UniDistance Suisse organised three workshops in November and December 2025. Open to all stakeholders, these sessions fostered meaningful engagement with the standards of institutional accreditation.
A self-evaluation report is being prepared under the leadership of a steering committee established specifically for the accreditation renewal, drawing on the outcomes of the workshops. Through a consultation process within the Academic Council, all stakeholder groups will subsequently be given another opportunity to contribute to the process.
The self-evaluation report will underpin the work of an international panel of experts during their two visits to Brig. During the on-site visits on 28 September and on 2 and 3 November 2026, the panel will meet representatives from across all areas of UniDistance Suisse in a series of round-table discussions. Students will also be invited to engage directly with the experts, contributing to a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of UniDistance Suisse.
The decision of the Swiss Accreditation Council regarding UniDistance Suisse’s application towards its accreditation renewal is expected in March 2027. It will provide the foundation for the new University Act of the Canton of Valais and mark a decisive step towards the establishment of Switzerland’s 11th university.
The upcoming accreditation process will have no impact on the study programmes. UniDistance Suisse will provide regular updates on its progress and key developments. Students and staff will be kept informed through the usual communication channels.
Accreditation Certificate (in German