Switzerland divides its education system into primary, secondary and tertiary levels. At every level there are educational possibilities open to foreigners.
The primary and first secondary levels are the stages of compulsory schooling, which lasts for nine years. The second secondary level is the post-compulsory stage. More than 50% of young people chose a practical vocational training, which lasts up to four years.
The tertiary stage covers universities and higher vocational training
- Switzerland has universities providing general education and universities of applied sciences
- Higher vocational training is provided by higher technical schools and technical schools, leading to vocational certificates and higher vocational diplomas.
University education is provided by the following:
- 10 cantonal universities
- 2 Federal Institutes of Technology
- 7 Universities of Applied Sciences
University-level education follows the bachelor-master system. Like other countries, Switzerland wants to make it easier to move between universities, and in 1999 signed the so-called Bologna declaration. Reforms aimed at standardising the structure of studies and of degrees should have been completed by 2010.
Studying in German, French, Italian and English
In Switzerland it is not only possible to study in all three official languages but increasingly also in English . The universities of Basel, Bern, Zurich, Lucerne and St Gallen are in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, as is the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich). The French-speaking part has the universities of Geneva, Lausanne, and Neuchâtel, and the second Federal Institute of Technology, which is in Lausanne (EPFL).
Fribourg University is in a bilingual canton, and offers courses in German and French. The Italian-speaking Università della Svizzera italiana is based in Lugano.
All universities offer an ever-growing number of Master programmes taught fully or partially in English.
Other institutions of a university nature are the various teaching training colleges, the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration in Lausanne, and the Kurt Bösch Postgraduate University in Sion.
Admission Requirements
A federally recognised school leaving certificate (Matura) or the equivalent foreign certificate entitles the holder to study at university level. Admission depends on the specific university. In any case, good knowledge of the language of instruction is a prerequisite.
The academic year usually starts in September in Switzerland. Applicants should contact their selected university well in time. The universities can provide information about fees and grants. In addition to the fees, students should expect to spend 16-24,000 Swiss francs for their living expenses, depending on their requirements.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen