Secondary Education in Switzerland

Secondary education in Switzerland begins after primary school, at approximately age 12. It is organised at the cantonal level, so there are minor differences between regions. Education is typically divided into two stages:

• Lower secondary level — ages 12–15. This is compulsory.
• Upper secondary level — ages 15–18/19. It's no longer legally compulsory, but almost everyone attends.

Switzerland has 11 years of compulsory education, including pre‑school. This covers primary school and lower secondary. The duration of compulsory schooling excluding kindergarten is 9 years, which some sources cite as the compulsory education period.

In the 2024/25 academic year, compulsory education had approximately 1,031,600 students — 13% more than in 2010/11. The gross enrolment rate for secondary education in 2025 was 102.44%.

At upper secondary level, students choose one of two paths:

• Academic path (Gymnasium) — leads to the Matura/Maturité/Maturità, the qualification required for university admission.
• Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VET) — a highly developed dual system that combines classroom instruction with paid apprenticeships.

In 2025, 111,843 upper secondary qualifications were awarded — 65,329 in the vocational education system and 46,514 in general education programmes.

The dual system remains the foundation of vocational education. In 2025, there were approximately 215,052 apprenticeship contracts.

Key Facts and Figures

• Over 65% of students choose the vocational education pathway.
• Of the roughly 93,000 young people who completed compulsory schooling in summer 2025, 50% entered basic vocational training and 34% chose the general education route.
• By August 2025, approximately 54,500 apprenticeship contracts had been signed, with around 16,000 places still open. About 90% of young people begin upper secondary education.
• The youth unemployment rate in 2025 was 9.04% — 0.8 percentage points higher than in 2024.

The Swiss system is internationally recognised for its dual education model, academic rigour, and multilingual environment — German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

Higher Education in Switzerland

Switzerland has one of the most prestigious and research‑intensive higher education systems in the world. The country has 10 cantonal universities, 2 federal institutes of technology (ETH Zurich and EPFL), universities of applied sciences (UAS), and universities of teacher education.

Leading institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL consistently rank among the world's top universities. In the Times Higher Education 2025 ranking, ETH Zurich retained 11th place worldwide — remaining the best university in continental Europe — while EPFL ranked 35th. According to the QS 2025 ranking, ETH Zurich ranked 7th globally and EPFL 26th.

Key Features

• Bachelor's programmes typically last 3 years, and master's programmes take 1.5–2 years.
• There is a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and close collaboration with industry.
• Multilingual study options are available depending on the region — German, French, Italian — and English is increasingly used at master's level.

Enrolment Figures

In the 2025/26 academic year, 288,097 students were enrolled in Swiss higher education institutions. Of these, 176,332 (61%) were in universities and institutes of technology, and 86,741 (30%) in universities of applied sciences.

The share of international doctoral students who obtained their previous education abroad rose from 36% in the early 2000s to 57% in the 2025/26 academic year.

Switzerland consistently ranks among the world leaders in innovation and research investment per capita. Swiss universities are particularly strong in engineering, hospitality management, finance, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and international relations.

Summer Programmes and Language Courses

Switzerland offers a wide range of summer programmes — language courses and specialised academic camps.

Programme Format

• Classes in German, French, or Italian — 15–25 hours per week.
• Summer academies in business, hospitality, leadership, and STEM.
• Excursions to Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne, Montreux, and the Alps.
• Outdoor activities — hiking and, depending on the season, skiing.
• Cultural workshops.
• Accommodation in boarding schools, student residences, or host families.

For example, TASIS summer programmes in Lugano opened in 2025 with 412 students from 50 countries in the first session and another 453 in the second.

Facts and Context

Switzerland is home to some of the world's most prestigious boarding schools. The country consistently ranks among the safest destinations globally, with one of the highest qualities of life. Summer programmes in Switzerland combine academic excellence with a premium lifestyle in a safe, multilingual, and globally connected environment.

If you're considering Switzerland for your child — we'll help you navigate every stage, from choosing a school, canton, and qualification type to document preparation and visa application. Get in touch — we'll tell you where to start.