Switzerland's education system is structured across three main levels: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary education. Let's delve into each level:
Switzerland Education System Structure
1. Primary Education
2. Secondary Education
- Lower Secondary Education
- Higher Secondary Education
3. Tertiary Education
- Universities and Federal Institutes of Technology
- Universities of Applied Sciences
- Universities of Teacher Education
Primary Education in Switzerland
Commencing with kindergarten at age four, lasting for two years, or sometimes extending to eight, primary education lays the foundation for young minds. Besides focusing on the three Rs, children are introduced to multiple languages and various subjects such as drawing, music, and basic civics.
Secondary Education in Switzerland
Secondary education in Switzerland comprises lower secondary and higher secondary levels. Let us gather more information about each of them:
Lower Secondary Education
Based on their assessment of primary education, the students are promoted to the lower secondary level. This level of education expanding for a maximum period of three years, focuses on academic progression and personal development. The students learn the art of learning and growing together with their peers, and also the skills of adjustment, responsibility, and dealing with conflicts.
Higher Secondary Education
Higher secondary schooling in Switzerland prepares students for their higher studies by building the foundation of knowledge in the area of their interest. You may either opt for a baccalaureate school or upper secondary specialized schools for the higher secondary stage. Let us see what each of them has to offer:
- Baccalaureate School: Baccalaureate school in Switzerland is a learning journey of three to four years. To enroll in a three-year degree program, you must complete one year of pre-baccalaureate studies. In some cantons, some baccalaureate schools offer courses of six years duration. It is for children attending a baccalaureate school straight after primary school. Overall, these schools offer baccalaureate certificates through which you may apply to study at any higher education institute.
- Upper Secondary Specialized Schools: They offer specialized training for a career in different fields like healthcare, social work, education, pedagogy, art and design, etc. The program lasts for a maximum of three years, and the students must appear for six subjects to acquire their upper-secondary specialized school certificate and continue their education in PET colleges.
- Vocational Schools: VET or Vocational Education and Training is an integral part of the Swiss education system. The main aim of these schools is to equip the students with the knowledge and expertise required in the job market. The dual system of vocational education and training (apprenticeship) is a combination of learning in the workplace and vocational school. More than two-thirds of the students in Switzerland opt for vocational schools after completing their compulsory education.
Tertiary Education in Switzerland
Higher education, especially universities, and higher vocational training, comes under the tertiary level. Further, higher education in Switzerland consists of three levels- Bachelor’s, Masters, and Ph.D. degree courses. In terms of higher studies, Switzerland's education system for international students has a respected place in the world.