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Swiss school system

Vorlesung

The education system in Switzerland has always had top ranking. Renowned philosophers whose pedagogical theories have had worldwide influence, such as Froebel, Pestalozzi, Piaget and Steiner confirm this. In addition, Switzerland can be proud of its impressive number of Nobel Prize winners. Since 1975, the ETH (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule / Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) and the University of Zurich have produced seven Nobel Prize winners.

  • 1975 Chemistry • Vladimir Prelog
  • 1978 Medicine • Werner Arber
  • 1986 Physics • Heinrich Rohrer
  • 1987 Physics • Georg Bednorz & Alexander Müller
  • 1991 Chemistry • Richard Ernst
  • 1996 Medicine • Rolf Zinkernagel
  • 2002 Chemistry • Kurt Wütrich

The University of Zurich and the ETH are not just well known throughout Switzerland. Much more, they belong amongst the top universities of the world. As a point of reference, the ETH is considered comparable to the MIT. In close pursuit are the universities of St. Gall (HSG) in Economics as well as Lucerne and Lausanne for their hotel and gastronomy education. Despite the fact that the reputation of the public school system has suffered a little recently and the industry is currently in upheaval, the quality of the Swiss teaching methods are excellent and take first place in worldwide ranking (Global Competitiveness Report). It is, therefore, no surprise that the majority of parents opt for public schools close to home.

 

An introduction to the Swiss school system

Switzerland has a largely decentralised education system. Each canton has its own independent education department. The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Education is a united body of Swiss cantons that has been formed to standardise the system. 
Education is divided into four sections: pre-school or kindergarten, primary, secondary, and tertiary or higher education. In the majority of cantons, English is taught beginning at the primary school level. Although private schools exist, the majority of students attend state-run schools. School education in Switzerland is compulsory until the age of 15.

 

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is obligatory for children who reach the age of 4 before a certain date (varies in each canton). It lasts two years and offers foreign children the opportunity to learn Swiss German and to prepare them for entry into school. Kindergarten is free of charge.

 

Primary school

Primary school is compulsory for all children who are 6 years old a certain date (varies in each canton). The size of the class is generally around 20 children. Primary school lasts for six years and the child is then assigned to the appropriate level in secondary school according to the results achieved in year six.

 

Secondary school

Secondary school is compulsory for the first three years, until the age of 15. The secondary school levels are A (highest level), B (intermediate level) and C (basic level).

 

Upper secondary school

After nine years of compulsory education, adolescents continue to the upper secondary level, which is split into vocational and general education. Basic vocational education lasts between two and four years and provides practical and technical training. Education takes place at companies that provide apprenticeships, in vocational schools and in cross-company courses.

General education students attend Gymnasien and specialised secondary schools (Fachmittelschulen). Gymnasien prepare their pupils for University and end in a final exam called “Matura”. Their curricula include languages, humanities, economics, maths, science, visual arts, music, and sports. Specialised secondary schools prepare pupils for higher vocational education in healthcare, social services, teaching, communication and information, and the arts.

 

Tertiary level

Higher education includes technical and vocational schools as well as universities. There are twelve universities in Switzerland: ten are run by the individual cantons and two, the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and the Polytechnic in Lausanne, are managed by the state. Other universities are located in Basel, Berne, Fribourg, Geneva, Neuchatel, Lausanne, Lugano, Zurich, Lucerne, and St. Gallen. To be accepted into a bachelor’s programme at a Swiss university, foreign students must have a foreign certificate recognised by the university as equivalent to a Swiss certificate, such as the International Baccalaureate diploma (IB), GCSE/A-levels or equivalent.

 

Additional support

Additional support in national languages

Children and young adults coming to Switzerland without any knowledge of the language(s) spoken in that region are given special tuition in separate classes, but otherwise attend the same classes as the other students.

 

Additional programs for bilingual children

  • Courses in culture and native language

In these courses, children and young people can strengthen their abilities in their native tongue and broaden their knowledge of their own culture. These courses are voluntary. They usually take place on an afternoon off or on Saturdays, although some are held during school hours. They are organised by consulates or parent organisations.