Self-test: Is the "Foreign Trade Manager with Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (Achtung: Englisch wie Dipl. HF)" course the right one for me?

What does the day-to-day work of a foreign trade manager with a federal diploma look like?

Foreign trade managers work in internationally active trading, service or production companies in a senior management position. They have overall responsibility for import, export and transit trade services. Together with the management, they develop an import and export-oriented risk management system and implement strategies for optimizing internal and external processes and interfaces. They look after major customers personally and organize territorial responsibility and support by involving suitable distributors.

These activities require good manners and a good command of foreign languages. They must also be familiar with the customs of the business partner's cultural environment.

They also review and optimize the delivery of goods and services, taking into account economic and ecological factors. You will draw up and monitor partial and total budgets, calculate and interpret business figures and draw conclusions from them in order to derive and implement appropriate measures for the company.

 

Target group and skills: Who is the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Foreign Trade Manager with a Federal Diploma suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The course and the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for "Foreign Trade Manager with Federal Diploma" are suitable for

• Foreign trade specialists and export specialists with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education who wish to further their education and thus increase their market attractiveness
• People with a managerial position in export, import, cross-trade, in an internationally oriented bank or in an international forwarding or transportation company who want to take the next step in their career

Foreign trade managers should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Service awareness
• Networked thinking and action
• Negotiating skills
• Organizational talent
• Analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Sociability
• Winning appearance

Requirements for admission to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Foreign Trade Managers:

Persons who meet the following conditions by the time of the examination date or examination registration are admitted to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Foreign Trade Managers:

• Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Foreign Trade (FPE) or equivalent and at least two years of relevant professional experience* in foreign trade since obtaining the Federal Diploma of Higher Education

Or

• Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET Diploma), diploma from a federally recognized commercial college, high school diploma or equivalent and at least six years of relevant professional experience in foreign trade since obtaining the diploma

Or

• Diploma from a university, College of Higher Education (AFPE) or Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) in the commercial field or an equivalent qualification and at least three years of relevant professional experience in foreign trade since obtaining the qualification.

You will find out whether you have been admitted to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) at least four months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons in the event of a negative decision.

*Part-time employment of less than 80% is counted pro rata, so the required duration is extended accordingly.

Note: Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for foreign trade managers if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/examination registration. At some schools, it is also possible to attend the course without the intention of taking an examination. Admission requirements vary depending on the provider.

Subject matter and content of continuing education, further training

The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Foreign Trade Managers is based on the specifications of the responsible body for the federal examination, Swissmem - ASM Employers' Association of the Swiss Engineering and Commerce Industry.

The following topics are covered in the preparation courses:

• Corporate management
• Organization of foreign trade
• Business processes in foreign trade
• Framework conditions for foreign trade
• Marketing and communication
• Finance and accounting
• International law
• Self-management
• Risk management

Costs and financing of continuing education, further training

The costs vary depending on the provider (apart from the examination fee, which is set by the responsible body of the AFPE). In general, the following costs must be expected for the 2-4 semester part-time continuing education, further training to become a foreign trade manager:

• Course feesbetween CHF 14,500 and CHF 18,600, of which you will receive around 50% back from the federal government after the examination (regardless of the result)*.
• External examination feesCHF 2,332 (as of August 2025) The examination fee is set by the responsible body of this Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) or course. It is paid by the candidate after admission has been confirmed.
• Extra costsAt some schools, the costs for teaching materials, training documents and simulation exams, for example, are not included in the course fees. Additional costs must also be expected for any preliminary courses, for example in finance and accounting.

Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for Federal Professional Examination (FPE) and Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for FPE, max. CHF 10,500 for AFPE) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examinations. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

 

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• Continuing education, further training to become a foreign trade manager is modular and takes 2-4 semesters, depending on the provider.
• The course is offered at different times. These time variants are determined independently by the respective schools, so there may be differences.
• Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study. You can therefore choose the format that allows you to combine continuing education, further training with family, work and leisure in the best possible way.
• Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of continuing education, further training, you can apply and deepen your knowledge immediately in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.

Degree, diploma and title

The Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for Foreign Trade Managers is held once a year if at least 12 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise at least every two years. Candidates can take the examination in German, French or Italian.

Candidates are notified at least 40 calendar days before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (place and time of the examination) and the list of experts.

The Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) is divided into the following parts:

1. diploma thesis (written, prepared in advance)

With the diploma thesis, candidates demonstrate that they are able to work on a problem from the field of foreign trade in a practice-oriented and independent manner, as well as develop and plan appropriate solutions and/or concepts. The assessment criteria can be found in the guidelines.

2. presentation of diploma thesis (oral, 15 minutes)

The candidates present their thesis to a panel of experts.

3. technical discussion (oral, 30 minutes)

This is followed by a technical discussion with experts about the thesis. The candidates answer the experts' questions about the content, procedure, results and questions of the thesis.

4. integrated case study (written, 240 minutes)

In this part of the examination, candidates solve a cross-thematic case study. They develop, analyze and optimize the corresponding action strategies as well as management and work tools.

5. management (written, 180 minutes)

In this written examination, various professional business administration topics are tested, such as management, organization, marketing, finance and accounting.

6. technical discussion (oral, 60 minutes)

In this part of the examination, candidates face at least two experts on various questions from the fields of foreign trade and business administration.

 

Diploma and title

Successful graduates of the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) receive a federal diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Certified Foreign Trade Manager".

In French: "Responsable du commerce international diplômée / Responsable du commerce international diplômé"

In Italian: "Responsabile del commercia estero diplomata / Responsabile del commercia estero diplomato"

In English (This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title): "Executive Foreign Trade Specialist, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education"