This has resulted in a considerable number of international students in the country. Switzerland is one of several European countries with a so-called “dual” vocational education and training (VET) system in which students combine learning in school with learning in workplace settings. Public schools are free of charge, and kids are not required to wear uniforms. This system is overseen by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Like Switzerland itself, education has a multilingual focus. The highest level, tertiary level education, is university level or higher education. Upper secondary specialized schools provide specialized preparation for a career in healthcare, social work, and education. French-speaking cantons differ. The program lasts three years, and in the end, the students must take a final exam in six of their subjects. The two countries to rank higher overall were Norway and Finland (Finland finishing in first). They last from 2 to 4 years and allow the students to gain technical and practical knowledge. Some children start compulsory education when they are four years old and others at six years until about 15 years old. Connectivity assesses the … Other subjects like history, civic education, music, art and design, physical education and health, home economics, career guidance, and vocational preparation are also taught. They also have to present a baccalaureate essay. Vocational education plays a major role in the Swiss education system. Pupil assessment varies from canton to canton. You may change your settings at any time. Switzerland ranks ninth out of 65 countries and economies in the OECD/PISA 2012 survey of educational standards amongst 15-year-olds. Students receive a grade at the end of term and/or year; how well students do determines whether they progress to the next year or not. View the Dutch comparison of the most common diplomas from Switzerland, the duration of schooling, the type of education … Resources encompasses government and private sector expenditure on tertiary institutions and on research as a share of GDP. Switzerland is internationally recognised as a center of excellence for education, its attraction for studying and research is well-established. For parents with a UK or international background. Children and young people with special educational needs in Switzerland have a right to schooling and support from specialists from birth up to their 20th birthday. The Italian-speaking cantons children attend kindergarten from the age of four. The primary responsibility for education lies with the 26 Cantons (states). However, schooling can vary across the country”, explains Daniel. At this level, children are not divided into achievement groups. State school system. Education is compulsory for all children in Switzerland, even those who do not have legal residency status. 2. Though it varies by canton, most children have mandatory education for 9 to 11 years. It is highly recommended to register as soon as possible because of limited places in some cantons. Successful candidates earn the upper-secondary specialized school certificate and can go onto further study at PET colleges. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Children receive assessments by specialist agencies within the canton and may attend a mainstream school with support, or a special needs school. Scholars, and those particularly from French, German and Italian-speaking backgrounds work right across the higher education system. Pupils who have overall average grades can progress to the next year of school. All students take an introductory course in economics and law, while philosophy is optional. From early on, students also learn one of the other official Swiss languages, as well as English. The Swiss school system as a trajectory for educational inequality: an objectivist and subjectivist exploration Hence what follows is just a generic summary. The higher education systems are rated based on four main criteria. Secondary education in Switzerland is divided into two stages. Education. “Admission may be based on students’ grades, teachers’ recommendations and/or an entrance exam”, advises Daniel. Thank you for this article. Find out how to apply to a program at a Swiss university with Expatica’s guide to studying in Switzerland. Similarly, the day to day structure of schooling might be different from one place to the next, making switching … Children start compulsory education when they are about four to six years old until about when they turn 15 years old. The system and rules vary by region, with some cantons starting mandatory schooling at age four and others at six. The three-year specialized school program ends with a final exam (written and/or oral) in at least six subjects, at least one of which must be related to the specific occupation. Generally, pupils receive either an ungraded or graded school report twice a year at the end of each term. High school in Switzerland is not compulsory, and its structure is unique. Still, it is very much different from an American high school. While most examples illustrating the Swiss system are taken from German-speaking Switzerland and the Greater Zurich Area, the content of this guide applies to Switzerland as a whole, including French-speaking cantons, Italian-speaking cantons and the Rumantsch areas of Graubünden. Education System in Switzerland provides a unique learning method that helps students to think forward, innovate and creative way. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. Your email address will not be published. If you did not have enough grades to enter university, what can you do to further your studies considering the fact that you’re older than 30 yrs. The specialisms are available from lists of subjects that each canton determines. My questions are: Education is compulsory for all children and young people from 9 to 11 years. Even though the cantons set the rules regarding education, compulsory education lasts for 9–11 years. While the Cantons are responsible for compulsory education, the Cantons and the Federal Government share responsibilities for post-compulsory education (general education schools, vocational and professional education and … eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/administration-and-governance-local-andor-institutional-level-115_en, sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/swiss-education-area.html, eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/organisation-education-system-and-its-structure-115_en, Very helpful article. In most cantons, children must begin primary school at age six. In Switzerland, the higher education system at University-level consists of ten cantonal Universities, two federal Institutes of Technology and seven Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen), as well as the recently founded Schools for Teacher Education and many Advanced Vocational Colleges. Responsibility for post-compulsory education is shared between the Swiss Confederation and the cantons. The overall education system in Switzerland is split into three categories: compulsory education, upper-secondary education and tertiary education, with higher education being concentrated completely at the tertiary … A baccalaureate program consists of core subjects, a main specialism, and a secondary specialism plus a baccalaureate essay. “During enrolment at a school, your child’s ability in the local national language will be assessed,” says Daniel. They receive a grade at the end of term and/or year; satisfactory grades determine whether a student progresses to the next year or not. You can enquire about your canton’s specific education requirements at one of the cantonal education departments. Vocational education and training (VET) schools. This attribute is done by diversifying the different directions a student can take once they’re done with their primary education. Here, pupils have a variety of abilities and come from a range of different backgrounds including, sometimes, linguistic backgrounds. Close. Students who take the additional one-year specialized baccalaureate course (not available in all cantons) usually have to complete traineeships or practical experience in their particular field as well as course work. The Swiss education system. Each canton has its own education department, school calendar, education structure, methods of teaching, and curricula. Expatica uses technology such as cookies and scripts to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic. Geography. In Switzerland, lessons are in the language of the region: German, French, Italian, or Romansh. If they finish that successfully, they get the upper-secondary specialized school certificate and continue their education in PET colleges. Children usually move onto lower secondary level at the age of 11 or 12 at a middle school called either a Gymnasium or Kantonsschule. The Swiss education system is characterised by a high degree of flexibility. Successful candidates earn the specialized baccalaureate (Fachmaturität/maturité spécialisée). Kindergarten is not compulsory in all of the cantons, but primary school is. There’s a wide range of subjects offered to study at Swiss universities. The higher education system in Switzerland is internationally renowned for its high academic standards, well-regarded research outputs and student-centered teaching methods. The cantons also regulate this. Switzerland’s education system is one of the most advanced in the world. 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