Higher education

Universities and university-like institutions

There are two state-recognized higher education institutions in Liechtenstein that have the Legal Division to award academic degrees:

University of Liechtenstein

Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein

The Liechtenstein Institute is a research institute similar to a university without the Legal Division to award academic titles.

Liechtenstein is also one of the sponsors of the Ost - Ostschweizer Fachhochschule, as well as the Interkantonale Hochschule für Heilpädagogik in Zürich (HfH).

Legal framework

The following legal bases apply:

Gesetz über das Hochschulwesen vom 25. November 2004 (Hochschulgesetz; HSG), LGBl. 2005 Nr. 2

Ordinance of August 16, 2011 on Higher Education (Higher Education Ordinance; HSV), LGBl. 2011 No. 337

Law on the University of Liechtenstein, LGBl. 2005 No. 3

All universities and university-like institutions must be approved by the government, including those offering distance learning from Liechtenstein

National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (NQ.FL-HS)

National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education in the Principality of Liechtenstein - NQFL-HS (307 KB)

Report on the review of the compatibility of the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education in the Principality of Liechtenstein (NQ.FL-HS) with the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area

Template for the Diploma Supplement

National Academic Recognition Information Center (NARIC Liechtenstein)

The Office of Education advises and informs individuals and institutions on academic recognition issues. The respective higher education institution decides on recognition for the purpose of admission to a study program.

International Affairs agreements in higher education

The range of higher education institutions in Liechtenstein is limited due to the country's small size. Important agreements ensure that students resident in Liechtenstein have access to foreign universities.

Agreements with Switzerland

An agreement has been in place with Switzerland since 1974, which ensures that Liechtenstein school-leaving qualifications are examined and recognized according to Swiss criteria.

Since 1997, the rights and obligations of the parties to the agreement have been set out in the Intercantonal University Agreement 

Access to universities of applied sciences is governed by the Intercantonal Agreement on Universities of Applied Sciences www.edk.ch  similar to that to universities.

Liechtenstein's accession to the Intercantonal Agreement on Universities of Applied Sciences means that students also have access to the numerous Swiss non-university tertiary education courses. The Office for Vocational Training and Career Counseling is responsible for this.

Liechtenstein has been a member of the EDK Regional School Agreement RSA-East since 1995. This regulates access and the financial benefits of the cantons for upper secondary and tertiary level education courses.

A special agreement with the canton of St. Gallen enables pupils from Liechtenstein to attend technical secondary schools at the cantonal school in Sargans.

Agreement with Austria

The Agreement between the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Republic of Austria on Equivalences in the Field of School Leaving Certificates and Higher Education of 23 February 2017 states that university entrance qualifications from both countries are recognized equally. 

The "Agreement on the post-doctoral training of Liechtenstein doctors in Austria" from 1980 entitles Liechtenstein doctors to train as general practitioners or specialists in Austria.

Lisbon Convention

According to this agreement is to be recognized by the signatory states as equivalent in principle, provided that there are no substantial differences.