Swiss education system
Education in a multilingual and federalist country
In Switzerland, education is government responsibility (cantonal and/or federal) from the beginning of compulsory education up to and including tertiary level (universities and professional education and training). Responsibility for education lies primarily with the 26 cantons. The cantons and the federal government each have their own responsibilities for post-compulsory education (general education schools, vocational and professional education and training, universities) and thus bear responsibility for these levels of education together. The cantons and their local municipalities finance 90% of public expenditure on education.
| Compulsory education |
The majority of students in Switzerland complete compulsory education at a state school in the municipality in which they live. Roughly 5 % attend a private school.
State schools play an important role in integration. Children who have different social, linguistic and cultural backgrounds all attend the same school.
Responsibility for compulsory education lies with the cantons. Schools are run by the local municipalities. Because education is locally rooted, tailor-made solutions can be implemented. Attendance of state schools is free of charge.
Duration of the different levels of education: The total compulsory school period amounts to eleven years. Primary level – including two years of kindergarten or a first learning cycle – comprises eight years. Lower secondary level takes three years. In the canton of Ticino, lower secondary level (scuola media) lasts for four years. Generally, compulsory education sets in for children at the age of four.
In a few cantons of German-speaking Switzerland, there is no obligation to send children to kindergarten, or only an obligation of one year. Nevertheless, the vast majority of children in these cantons attend kindergarten also for two years. In several German-speaking cantons, municipalities can choose to run a first learning cycle (called ‘Grundstufe’ or ‘Basisstufe’), which combines kindergarten and the first one or two years of primary school. In this organisational form, four to seven or eight year olds are taught together in the same class. In French-speaking Switzerland, the two kindergarten years are usually included in what is called ‘cycle 1’ or ‘cycle primaire 1’, which lasts for four years. In addition to the two compulsory years of kindergarten, the canton of Ticino offers an initial, voluntary year for children from age three.
At lower secondary level, pupils are taught in all or some subjects in performance-based groups. Different organisational forms apply (e.g. separate classes or joint classes with separate teaching of certain subjects).
Languages: The language of instruction is German, French, Italian or Romansh, depending on the language region, though Romansh-language municipalities represent a special case. Traditionally, language learning has an important role in Switzerland. Students learn a second official language of Switzerland as well as English during their compulsory school years.
| Post-compulsory education |
Intercantonal or national legislation generally forms the basis for the education on offer in the area of post-compulsory education (upper secondary level and tertiary level). The cantons are responsible for enforcing this legislation and for the organisation of the schools. The only exceptions are the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, which are in the charge of the federal authorities.
Upper secondary level: After the end of their compulsory school years roughly two-thirds of adolescents in Switzerland switch to a form of education, which combines classroom instruction at a vocational school with an apprenticeship in a training company (dual-track system),. This provides them with a VET (vocational education and training) certificate and can also be concluded with a federal vocational baccalaureate. Around one-third opt for continuing school education at an upper secondary specialised or a baccalaureate school, which prepare them for tertiary education at a university.
About 90 % of young people complete upper secondary education, which facilitates direct entry into the job market, enables them to attend a professional education and training college or – with a baccalaureate from a baccalaureate school (Gymnasium/gymnase), a specialised baccalaureate (Fachmaturität / maturité spécialisée) or a federal vocational baccalaureate (Berufsmaturität / maturité professionelle) – allows them to continue their education at a university. Altogether, around 36% of adolescents in Switzerland acquire one of these forms of baccalaureate.
Tertiary level: The tertiary level comprises universities (incl. universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education) and, as a second important pillar, institutions providing professional education and training. The latter is aimed at people with professional experience, enabling them to gain specialist education and additional qualifications. It comprises diplomas from a PET college and federal or advanced federal PET diplomas.
45 % of adults obtain a tertiary education degree or diploma, 30% from a university, 15% from an institution of professional education and training (PET).
| Special features of the Swiss education system |
The Swiss education system is characterised in particular by
- a high degree of permeability: There are many ways to enter or transfer to a training programme or school or to attend a catch-up training programme.
- open access to the various types of education: Anyone who has the necessary qualifications can generally attend the course of his/her choice, and the university attended can also be freely selected. Vocational education and training is subject to some restrictions due to ceilings on apprenticeship positions. At some universities, access to specific subjects is also limited.