University admission in Switzerland

Official entry requirements

As classified by the country with UNESCO (ISCED 2011), reference year 2020. Universities may set higher requirements.

School-leaving qualification (upper secondary)

• specialised middle schools – 3 years3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: upper-secondary specialised school certificate

• specialised baccalaureat gives acces to univerities of applied sciences3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344)

  Awards: Specialised Baccalaureate

• vocational baccalaureat, dual system, 3 and 4 years3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Vocational baccalaureate

• vocational baccalaureate after obtention of the certificate of vocational education, 1 year1 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354)

  Awards: Vocational baccalaureate

• school preparing for the university entrance certificate3.5 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Baccalaureate

• Foreign (non Swiss) programmes giving acces giving acces to the tertiary level3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Baccalauréat international

Bachelor's or equivalent (first degree)

• university of applied science diploma3 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344)

  Awards: First academic degree university of applied science

• university bachelor3 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344)

  Awards: Bachelor

• Federal PET Diploma examination / higher vocational education, stage I2 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354)

  Awards: Federal PET Diploma

• PET College /technical school2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354)

  Awards: Professional college degree

Short-cycle tertiary (diplomas)

• higher vocational education, stage I (no regulation on the federal level)2 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354)

  Awards: Diploma from other higher vocational education