As well as educating BSc, MSc and PhD students, the SED also offers continuing vocational training, with staff holding lectures, leading workshops and organising excursions for students taking the ETH Certificate of Advanced Studies in Applied Earth Sciences.

These one-week block courses on the general theme of current problems in applied earth sciences always take place in September-October and February-March and can cover a wide range of subjects (not just earthquakes). They are aimed at a heterogeneous mix of graduates who are pursuing a career in the earth sciences and want to expand their practical knowledge.