Education in Switzerland

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
S pecial features of the Swiss education system

Overview of the Swiss education system

Compulsory schooling in Switzerland

Mandatory education in Switzerland lasts for 11 years. Under the Swiss constitution, schooling is free and open to all children.

The Swiss school system is popular with the population.

Why the Swiss school system is so successful

This content was published on Apr 8, 2025 Go to university or complete an apprenticeship? Switzerland’s unique dual system opens up career paths early on, but leaves many options open for later.

The Swiss education system explained

This content was published on Jan 11, 2023 Ever wondered how the Swiss education system works? Then this graphic is for you.

Pupils in Swiss schools sitting on chairs

Swiss satisfied with their school system

This content was published on Nov 23, 2023 According to a representative survey, a clear majority are happy with the Swiss education system.

Why some Swiss parents are choosing to homeschool

This content was published on Nov 28, 2019 Amid debate over allowing homeschooling in Switzerland, what are the reasons why parents choose to educate their kids at home?

A fundamental change in Swiss schoolrooms

This content was published on Oct 25, 2018 The face of Swiss primary schools is changing. New teaching methods are now part of the daily routine.

Foreign families trust Swiss boarding schools

This content was published on Jul 30, 2011 There are some 100,000 students enrolled in private Swiss schools, according to the Swiss Federation of Private Schools (SFPS). They come from all over – in particular Russia, Germany, France, Britain and the United States, as well as Switzerland. Within the boarding schools, about 80 per cent of the students are foreign and the rest…

Primary and secondary schools

Primary school class 1c pictured during a double science and reading lesson at the schoolhouse Vinci, Public School Suhr, Canton of Aargau, Switzerland, on June 25, 2018. The Public School Suhr consists of kindergartens, primary schools and senior classes. (KEYSTONE/Christian Beutler)

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.

PROFA facilitator Chloe Parrat shows an image of a woman's reproductive system during an awareness-raising lesson-workshop on menstrual periods for secondary school pupils in year 9 at the College des Voiles du Leman in Preverenges on Tuesday 1 June 2021.

Dialogue: Should sex education in Switzerland adapt to societal changes?

This content was published on Apr 25, 2024 The question of what should be part of sex education in schools is sparking controversy in Switzerland. What is your opinion on the matter?

Why are there no school uniforms in Switzerland?

This content was published on 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?

Why Swiss schools have a say in sex education

This content was published on Jan 29, 2018 Teachers should be able to react to questions about sex in an age-appropriate way when necessary, says head of the Federation of Swiss Teachers.

Swiss schools stand by their ski camps

This content was published on 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.

Zurich bans locals from international schools

This content was published on Oct 22, 2011 The ruling from the canton’s education minister Regine Aeppli has added another chapter to the ongoing debate about preserving local culture and language in the face of an ever increasing flood of foreign workers. Zurich has effectively overruled a 1998 decision to allow anyone to attend international schools without having to give justification. Some local…

How do you get more men into primary teaching?

This content was published on Dec 13, 2016 Men thinking of making the change into primary school teaching can now take a taster day to find out more.

Boom over for some Swiss international schools

This content was published on Jul 8, 2015 On a late weekday afternoon, Lawrence Wood, principal of the SIS Swiss International School Winterthur, looks on as a handful of young students climb ropes and chase balls on a rooftop playground. Enrolment at his 14-year-old school is at an all-time high with 112 students. Nevertheless, Wood now finds himself assuring concerned parents that…

Vocational education and apprenticeships

An apprentice mechanic at vocational school with teacher

Why Switzerland’s dual-track education system is unique

This content was published on Jan 27, 2020 Young people used to be faced with making a definitive career choice aged 15 in Switzerland. But nowadays they can change direction later on.

Apprenticeships in Switzerland

This content was published on Sep 22, 2022 Pupils face an important choice at the end of compulsory: apprenticeships or high school.

Can you study after an apprenticeship?

This content was published on Aug 29, 2019 In Switzerland, two thirds of young people do an apprenticeship. But what if, as readers ask, a person wants to study later on? Is this possible?

A bicycle mechanic apprentice goes about his work

Are 14-year-olds ready to make a career choice?

This content was published on Apr 16, 2019 Students make big decisions about their professional futures at a young age in Switzerland. Too early, or just right?

Pupils must remain in education until 18 in Geneva

This content was published on Sep 18, 2018 Young people in Geneva will have to stay in education until they are 18, so it’s back to school or into an apprenticeship for some.

Students at the Ostschweizer Fachhochschule OST.

Vocational baccalaureate system struggles to grow

This content was published on Dec 3, 2020 The number of young people taking a qualification that allows you to study after an apprenticeship is stagnating.

Universities and higher education

Why is Switzerland’s higher education so good?

How many universities are there in Switzerland? How can students access them? Where do foreign students fit in?

Are Swiss universities victims of their success?

This content was published on Feb 23, 2024 A look at the booming growth of Swiss universities and international student admissions.

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.

Students at a University of St Gallen lecture.

Why university rankings are being given poor grades

This content was published on Mar 15, 2024 Students rely on rankings when choosing where to study. But universities are rejecting some ratings.

Massive star explosion in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

Space systems graduate programme takes off at ETH Zurich

This content was published on Oct 8, 2024 The federal technology institute ETH Zurich has launched a new Master’s degree programme in Space Systems that claims to be unique in Europe.

Inclusive education

Special needs schools and education

Switzerland has an inclusive educational approach for children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

A special school for special needs

This content was published on Feb 14, 2018 At eight years old, Manarekha still has difficulty speaking and counting. But now she is helped by a pioneering school in the Swiss canton of Ticino.

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.

Swiss inclusive education policy bears fruit

This content was published on Oct 29, 2019 In Switzerland, more than half of children with special educational needs are taught in regular schools.

Studying or doing an apprenticeship in Switzerland

Swiss universities are among the best in the world.

Studying in Switzerland: tuition fees, admission, and research explained

This content was published on Feb 19, 2019 Universities, universities of applied sciences, tuition fees and cutting-edge research: everything you need to know about studying in Switzerland.

How does Switzerland compare when it comes to university tuition fees?

This content was published on Aug 16, 2018 The US and UK are the top destinations for international students. Relatively low tuition fees could help Switzerland compete for the top brains.

How easy is it for foreign students to study in Swiss universities?

Swiss universities are increasingly popular with foreign students, even in coronavirus pandemic times.

How great is the student experience at a Swiss university?

This content was published on Oct 9, 2018 Can Swiss universities offer the kind of support and vibrant student life that attracts many to the US and UK?

How expensive is Switzerland for a student on a budget?

This content was published on Sep 6, 2018 Despite relatively low university fees, living expenses in Switzerland are high. But is it pricey when compared to the US or UK?

Getting in: University admissions in Switzerland, US and UK

This content was published on Sep 27, 2018 Should you start planning your university admission strategy two years in advance? The process can be complicated for international students.

You have your Swiss degree – now what?

This content was published on Oct 3, 2018 How do foreign graduates from Swiss universities find jobs? Fungai Mettler from Zimbabwe gives tips on attracting employers’ attention.

Bilingual students have the upper hand

This content was published on Oct 18, 2022 A visit to the University of Fribourg, Switzerland’s only fully French-German bilingual higher education institute.

Could international graduates solve worker shortages in Switzerland?

This content was published on Jun 24, 2023 Very few students from third countries stay on to work in Switzerland after their studies. Parliament wants this to change.

Swiss students, politicians work towards university access for refugees

This content was published on Feb 22, 2018 Lack of information and money are keeping qualified refugees in Switzerland from studying and launching careers. Students want to change that.

FAQ: Moving to Switzerland for educational purposes

People walk in front of the main building of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and the sculpture "The Convalescent" by Otto Charles Baenninger, in Zurich, on November 30, 2024.

How a top Swiss university is screening Chinese students

This content was published on Dec 12, 2024 ETH Zurich has revealed security screening measures it routinely carries out on some foreign students – provoking fear and anger.

Is Switzerland getting badder at English?

This content was published on Nov 16, 2023 A global proficiency ranking claims that Switzerland is increasingly losing ground. But pinning down precise national scores is far from easy.

On the up: second-gen migrants in Switzerland surpass their parents educationally

This content was published on Aug 7, 2022 Migrant children generally achieve a higher level of education than their parents, a study has found. But there are differences between nationalities.