Structure of Education System in Switzerland
Compulsory education in Switzerland lasts at least nine years and is subdivided into primary school and lower-secondary education. In some cantons, it is mandatory to attend pre-school for one or two years. Primary education lasts six years and lower-secondary education three years in majority of the cantons. Students complete compulsory education at the age of 15 to 16 years.
Primary Education
It includes Pre-School and Primary Schools.
Pre-School/Kindergarten
One to two years of free pre-school education is being provided to the kids in Switzerland.
- Entry Age: 5 or 6 years old
Primary School
- Entry Age: 7 years
- Duration: 4 to 6 years (Depending on the cantons)
- Grades: 1 to 8 (including Pre-School education)
Secondary Education
Secondary education is split into two levels: lower and upper levels usually referred to as secondary I and II. Lower Level, i.e. level I generally last three years and is compulsory to attend. At the age of 15-16 depending on when they started school, students who wish to like to extend their education move into the upper secondary level, which generally lasts 3 - 4 years. This level forms the beginning phase of post-compulsory education.
Lower Secondary Level
- Duration: 3 years
- Grades: 9 to 11
- Age group:12 to 15 years
Upper Secondary Level
- Duration: 3 to 4 years
- Age group:16 to 19 years
Higher or Tertiary Education
Higher Education can be completed at tertiary level A institutions or within the framework of tertiary level B professional education and training (PET). Tertiary level A institutions include universities, universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education that provides several academic and practice-oriented courses of study. Tertiary level B provides in-depth specialist knowledge.