Compulsory education lasts nine years in Switzerland. After that the path typically leads to either a secondary school or a vocational apprenticeship. Here, apprentices learn one of the roughly 300 professions via both on-the-job practice and theory at a vocational college. 

Swiss education system - overview

This content was published on Feb 19, 2019 Feb 19, 2019 Switzerland's universities, technology institutes and other learning centres put the country's education system among the world's best.

State school system

This content was published on Feb 19, 2019 Feb 19, 2019 Every child in Switzerland must go to school until around age 15, after which students are funnelled into apprenticeships or university tracks.

Apprenticeship system

This content was published on Feb 19, 2019 Feb 19, 2019 Pupils face an important choice at the end of their three compulsory years in lower secondary school.

Apprenticeship agreements

This content was published on Aug 23, 2018 Aug 23, 2018 Switzerland has concluded agreements with 13 countries outside of the EU so young people can extend their job and language skills in the country.

Special needs education

This content was published on May 21, 2019 May 21, 2019 Switzerland has an inclusive educational approach for children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

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