3. Writing the dossier

Sophie Serry
VAE advisor
+41 21 692 38 25
vae@unil.ch

1. At the earliest opportunity: I ask for information
2. 15 September: I ask for advance notice
3. 15 November: I commit to the VAE programme
4. 28 February: I submit my VAE application

Submitting your full VAE dossier means providing proof of your skills.

This exercise also involves presenting a realistic analysis of the acquisition of skills and of the links between the experience gained and the training objectives of the targeted course.

On the basis of this file, the VAE faculty commission will assess your prior learning and grant or refuse validation of certain ECTS credits.

In order to prepare your complete VAE application, you will benefit from the methodological support of the VAE Advisor. Individual sessions (maximum 8 hours of support) are organised. Depending on demand, group sessions can also be organised. These cover: 

• Project development
• Preparing for the oral interview
• Time for peer exchanges may also be offered.

The complete VAE file includes: 

A copy of my pre-referral opinion

This one has been delivered to me in advance;demment (see step 1: request for notification).

A description of operational skills

This consists of a repeat of the information provided in the application for pre-advice (course of study, motivation, initial and further training, professional and/or academic experience, supporting documents, CV, etc.); a description of the skills and qualifications required for the job; a more detailed presentation of knowledge in terms of experience, tools and work methods, knowledge used, etc.

Please note that this is not a complete list.

A reflexive analysis focusing on the acquisition of skills

The analysis must make explicit the links between what has been learned from the experience and the training objectives of the course or programme targeted by the repeat study.

The VAE application can take several months to complete. It is important to take time to reflect on one's activity.

Several factors may be taken into account in the decision of the VAE Faculty Commission. These include the following assessment criteria: 

• I will be at least 25 years old at the time of the intended purpose of my studies.
• I will meet the conditions for registration no later than the date of commencement of my studies.
• I can provide proof of at least 3 years' self-employed, salaried or self-employed activity in connection with my intended field of study.
• My professional project linked to the VAE application is well-founded.
• I am clear and systematic in the way I'm presenting my studies and training that I’ve followed.
• Each experience gained, tools and methods, knowledge exploited, blocking situations overcome, etc.
• The skills that I wish to highlight in my VAE application
• Throughout my application, the analysis carried out on the acquisition of my skills and the links with the intended course of study is clear (I have seen the implicit).

Depending on the Faculties, the courses of study and their regulatory specificities, other aspects may be retained.

The complete VAE application file is sent electronically to vae@unil.ch, in accordance with the requirements set out in the UNIL Directive 3.12 on fees and deadlines - To know by February 28.

^{The information contained on the unil vae pages is provided for information purposes only. Only the following reference texts are authentic: art. 77 and 78 RLUL. Detailed VAE framework: UNIL Directives 3.17, 3.18 and 3.2.}