Education in Switzerland – SWI swissinfo.ch

The Swiss education system is known for its eleven mandatory school years and its globally unique dual education system. After primary school, students are placed into different educational pathways based on their abilities. Whether vocational training or high school (Gymnasium) – both options can lead to a university. Discover here how the Swiss school system works, from elementary school to higher education institutions, and why it is considered one of the best in the world.

Overview of the Swiss education system
Primary and secondary schools
Vocational education and apprenticeships
Universities and higher education
Inclusive education
Studying or doing an apprenticeship in Switzerland
FAQ: Moving to Switzerland for educational purposes
Special features of the Swiss education system

Overview of the Swiss education system

Primary and secondary schools

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Inclusive schools: beneficial for all?

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Jun 28, 2024


Inclusive schools, where children with disabilities are enrolled in regular schools, have been an issue of debate in Switzerland for several years.

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Vocational education and apprenticeships

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Apprenticeships in Switzerland

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Sep 22, 2022


Pupils face an important choice at the end of compulsory: apprenticeships or high school.

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Universities and higher education

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Admission to Swiss universities

Switzerland’s excellent universities, technology institutes and research centres mean that the country’s education system is among the world’s best.

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Inclusive education

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Inclusive schools: beneficial for all?

This content was published on

Jun 28, 2024


Inclusive schools, where children with disabilities are enrolled in regular schools, have been an issue of debate in Switzerland for several years.

Read more: Inclusive schools: beneficial for all?

Studying or doing an apprenticeship in Switzerland

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You have your Swiss degree – now what?

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Oct 3, 2018


How do foreign graduates from Swiss universities find jobs? Fungai Mettler from Zimbabwe gives tips on attracting employers’ attention.

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FAQ: Moving to Switzerland for educational purposes

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Is Switzerland getting badder at English?

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Nov 16, 2023


A global proficiency ranking claims that Switzerland is increasingly losing ground. But pinning down precise national scores is far from easy.

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Special features of the Swiss education system

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Why are there no school uniforms in Switzerland?

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Jan 6, 2020


A look into any Swiss school playground will tell you: there are no school uniforms. Unless of course you count jeans, hoodies and trainers. Why?

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Swiss schools stand by their ski camps

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Jan 13, 2020


Despite some recent pushback, Swiss schools appear set to continue the tradition of ski camps for as long as there is enough snow.

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