University of Teacher Education, State of Vaud

Located in Lausanne, at the heart of the Lake Geneva academic region, the University of Teacher Education, State of Vaud (HEP Vaud) is a leading institution for teacher education in French-speaking Switzerland.

HEP Vaud prepares future teachers and education professionals through academically rigorous, practice-based programmes. It also contributes to the ongoing development of education through continuing education and applied research closely connected to schools and professional practice. Its broad expertise has earned the institution national and international recognition, reflected in an extensive network of academic, institutional and school partnerships in Switzerland and abroad.

Comprehensive, practice-based programmes

HEP Vaud offers teacher education programmes covering all levels of compulsory and upper-secondary education. Students can prepare to teach children and young people from the ages of 4 to 20, as well as learners with special educational needs.
Its programmes cover:

• Primary education
• Lower-secondary education
• Upper-secondary education
• Vocational education and training
• Special needs education

HEP Vaud also offers several Master’s programmes in education and subject-specific didactics, some of which are jointly delivered with partner institutions such as the University of Lausanne, the University of Geneva and EPFL.
Academic study is closely connected to professional practice. Through a network of 146 partner schools and more than 1,380 school-based teacher educators, students gain direct experience of the realities of teaching and education.

A great openness to the world

In order to foster the training and research offered, HEP Vaud ceaselessly cultivates openness to the world and thus encourages the students’ and trainers’ mobility. It is so true, that only the development of an international and intercultural framework can guarantee the following outcomes: the academic broadening, the continuous quality improvement and compliance with international standards in training and research.

Our university has also committed itself to pilot or co-pilot innovative programmes such as PEERS (Student and Trainer-Researcher Projects in Social Networks). This project embodies real innovation in the field of mobility: it allows students to be confronted by cultural differences present in their training field in another framework than a classic stay abroad.

HEP Vaud, which is part of the Swissuniversities network, is also developing strong cooperative links in the training fields as well as in research with a number of academic institutions in Europe and all over the world.

Continuing education throughout professional life

HEP Vaud provides a broad range of continuing education opportunities for teachers, school leaders and other education professionals.
Its programmes include Certificates of Advanced Studies (CAS), Diplomas of Advanced Studies (DAS), Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) programmes, short courses and tailored professional development. Its dedicated Cadres Centre supports school leaders and other education professionals responsible for leading teams or managing projects, drawing on expertise in educational leadership and management. More than 13,000 enrolments in certified continuing education are recorded each year.

Applied research for the future of education

Research at HEP Vaud contributes to the development of knowledge and professional practices in education. Closely connected to schools and education professionals, it addresses key contemporary challenges such as digital transformation, inclusion and diversity, sustainability, teaching practices and changes in education systems.

In 2025, HEP Vaud’s academic community produced 512 scientific publications, 40% of which were available in Open Access. The institution also secured CHF 2.3 million in external research funding.

HEP Vaud develops research projects and scientific collaborations with academic and institutional partners in Switzerland and abroad.

An international learning environment

International and intercultural perspectives are an integral part of education and research at HEP Vaud. The institution encourages student and staff mobility and maintains partnerships with universities and education institutions in Europe and around the world.

HEP Vaud also offers PEERS, a certified year-long exchange programme combining online collaboration with two short five-day stays: one at a partner institution and one in Lausanne. Working in international groups, students explore a specific educational topic while developing their academic, professional and intercultural skills. The programme is available across several Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes and awards 3 ECTS credits.

As a member of swissuniversities, HEP Vaud actively contributes to national and international cooperation in teacher education and educational research.

Teaching and Research Units

Key areas include:

• Educational leadership, identities, relationships and systems
• Human development; teaching, learning and assessment
• Special needs and inclusive education
• Digital media and computer science education
• Subject-specific didactics: arts, technology, physical education, French, languages and cultures, mathematics, natural sciences, music, humanities and social sciences

Research laboratories

Research areas include:

• Lesson Study; arts and technology education
• School engagement and educational partnerships
• Teachers’ work and work-based learning
• Sustainability and inclusive education
• Languages, multilingualism, integration and cultures

Innovation and competence centres

• FabLearn and innovation projects
• Outdoor Education Competence Centre
• Centre for the Management of Sensitive Situations
• E-learning Support Centre (CSeL)

Image credit : © HEP Vaud