How do you apply to a Swiss secondary school? Step by step

What types of secondary schools exist in Switzerland?

The upper level of Swiss public education (Sekundarstufe II / degré secondaire II) is divided into two main tracks: general education and vocational education. There is no hard boundary between the two — moving between them is possible, but not automatic.

General education pathways

Gymnasium (Gymnase / Liceo) The classic route leading to the Matura (Matura / Maturité / Maturità). It typically lasts 4 years (in some cantons 6 years if it starts from 7th grade) and prepares students for higher education. The Swiss Matura gives automatic eligibility for admission to any Swiss university, based on SwissUniversities guidelines.

Fachmittelschule (FMS) – Specialized secondary school Usually a 3-year program focused on a narrower field (e.g. healthcare, education, social work, the arts). After completion, students receive a Fachmaturität certificate, which is mainly the entry requirement for a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences).

Berufsmaturitätsschule (BMS) – Vocational baccalaureate school This can be completed alongside vocational training (Berufslehre / EFZ) and leads to the Berufsmaturität certificate. It is a prerequisite for studying at a Fachhochschule.

Vocational education pathways

Berufslehre / Apprenticeship (EFZ / EBA) Nearly two-thirds of Swiss young people start out on a vocational track — this is not a lesser alternative, but the backbone of the Swiss education system. The 3–4 year dual training model (Duale Berufsausbildung) combines workplace practice with classroom instruction. The EFZ (Eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis / Certificat fédéral de capacité) is a federally recognized vocational qualification.

Brückenangebot – Bridging year For those who have not yet decided, or whose grades are not sufficient for direct admission, many cantons offer a so-called bridging year (Brückenangebot / Année de transition). It is preparatory and orientation-based, and does not lead to an independent qualification.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements?

Primary school performance

In most cantons, admission is based on the grade average from the last 1–2 years of primary school (Primarschule / Sekundarschule). For Gymnasium admission, an average of around 5.0–5.5 is typically required (on the Swiss scale from 1 to 6, where 6 is the best), but this varies by canton.

In Zürich, for example, a mandatory entrance exam (Gymiprüfung) is held at the end of 6th grade for those who want to enter Gymnasium from 7th grade. In Bern, primary school grades and the teacher’s recommendation are considered together. In Genève, transfer to the Gymnase may take place after completing the Cycle d'orientation.

Recognition of foreign certificates

If the child started primary school in Hungary, the cantonal education authority in Switzerland (Erziehungsdirektion / Direction de l'instruction publique) decides which grade they will be placed in. This is not an automatic process: the parent must submit the original certificates, their certified translation, and in some cases a placement test may also be required.⚠️ Cantonal differences: some cantons (e.g. Zürich, Bern) use their own placement procedures, while others follow the recommendations of the EDK (Schweizerische Konferenz der kantonalen Erziehungsdirektoren / Conférence suisse des directeurs cantonaux de l'instruction publique).How does the application process work?

General timeline

The Swiss secondary school admission process is organized at cantonal level, so the following should be understood as a general framework for information only — the exact deadlines and document list should always be checked on the website of the relevant cantonal education authority.

Period

Task

This schedule is typical for most German-speaking cantons. In the French-speaking cantons (Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, etc.), the timing may differ in part.

Required documents

The following documents are typically required in every canton, but this list is not exhaustive — always ask the local school or education office for the exact list:

• Report cards from the last 2 school years (original + certified translation, if not issued by a Swiss school)

• Identity document (passport or ID card)

• Copy of residence permit (Ausländerausweis)

• Completed application form (cantonal form)

• In some cases: medical certificate, previous school reports, teacher recommendation

Are there entrance exams, and what do they assess?

Cantons with an entrance exam

Many cantons — including Zürich, Luzern, Aargau and Solothurn — require a compulsory entrance exam (Aufnahmeprüfung / Examen d'admission) for admission to Gymnasium. The exam usually assesses the following areas:

• Mathematics: reading comprehension and arithmetic tasks

• German (or the canton’s language of instruction): reading comprehension, essay writing, grammar tasks

• In some cases: science, foreign language (English)

The difficulty level and format of the exams vary from canton to canton. In some cantons, the exam result and school grades are considered together; elsewhere, the exam alone determines admission.

Cantons without a separate entrance exam

Bern, Basel-Stadt and several other cantons decide based on teacher recommendation and school grades, without a separate exam. In Geneva, transfer to the Gymnase may take place based on completion of the Cycle d'orientation and the grades earned there.

Preparing for the entrance exam

In Switzerland, private tutoring (Nachhilfe) and preparatory courses for entrance exams (Vorbereitungskurs) are common. These are offered by private schools, educational organisations and private tutors, typically at a rate of 50–120 CHF/hour. In some cases, sample exercises are also available on the cantonal education office’s website.

What language requirements apply to Hungarian and other foreign students?

The mother tongue is not the language of instruction

The language of instruction in Swiss secondary schools follows the official language of the canton: in most cantons this is German (Hochdeutsch / standard German, not the local Swiss dialect), in Geneva and Vaud French, and in Ticino Italian.

For a student whose mother tongue is Hungarian, knowledge of the language of instruction is a key issue. Most cantons require that, at the time of admission, the student already has at least B2-level active language skills (according to the Common European Framework of Reference / CEFR) in the language of instruction.

How can language proficiency be proven?

The way language proficiency is proven varies from canton to canton:

• Swiss school certificate (if the child has already attended a Swiss primary school)

• Recognized language certificate: Goethe-Zertifikat, telc Deutsch, DELF (French), CELI (Italian)

• Cantonal placement test

• Teacher assessment / school recommendation

If the student has not yet reached the required level

In this case, most cantons offer an integration class (Aufnahmeklasse / Classe d'accueil / Classe d'intégration), where the student learns the language of instruction and core subjects in parallel. These classes typically last 1–2 years, after which placement in a regular class may follow.

⚠️ Important: completing an integration class does not automatically guarantee admission to Gymnasium – placement is based on the performance achieved there.

Where can parents and students get help?

Cantonal education office

The first and most important point of contact in every case is the responsible cantonal education office (Erziehungsdirektion / Direction de l'instruction publique / Dipartimento dell'educazione). Their websites provide information on local admission procedures, deadlines, document lists, and contact persons.

School counselor (Schulsozialarbeit / Berufsberatung)

Every Swiss primary school has a school social worker and/or career guidance counselor (Berufsberatung / Orientation professionnelle). They provide free support with decisions about further education and know the local admission process.

Berufs-, Studien- und Laufbahnberatung (BSLB)

The cantonal career, study, and guidance offices (BSLB) also offer free, personal counseling. Their contact details can be found on the berufsberatung.ch portal.

Hungarian community networks

Active Hungarian communities operate in Zürich, Bern, Basel, and Genève. Through informal channels (Facebook groups, community meetups), they share a lot of practical experience — but it is important to always compare community advice with information from the relevant authority, as individual experiences can differ by canton and from year to year.

How much does secondary school cost in Switzerland? Tuition, support, scholarships

Public schools

Swiss public secondary schools (Gymnasium, Berufsschule, FMS) are in the vast majority of cases free for students with a residence permit in Switzerland, including foreign nationals. This free provision applies to basic education; some schools may charge a small administrative fee, a contribution toward textbooks, or an entry fee for sports day.

Private schools

There are also many private secondary schools in Switzerland (Privatschule / École privée), with tuition ranging from CHF 15,000 to CHF 45,000 per year, depending on the school and program. These are generally not necessary for further education — the quality of public schools is generally high.

Scholarships and financial support

• Cantonal scholarships (Stipendien / Bourses d'études): Every canton has a scholarship system for children from lower-income families. The conditions (income threshold, length of residence, type of school) vary from canton to canton. Applications can be submitted to the cantonal scholarship office (Stipendienstelle).

• Federal scholarships: The SBFI (Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation / Secrétariat d'État à la formation, à la recherche et à l'innovation) coordinates certain scholarship programs at federal level, primarily in higher education.

• Textbook and material support: In some cantons (e.g. Zürich), textbooks are free or available at a reduced price for students in need.

⚠️ The exact scholarship amounts and income thresholds vary by canton and by year — always check the website of the local Stipendienstelle.

What are the first steps before starting school?

Below we summarize the tasks that are worth completing after admission but before the school year begins:

1. Confirmation of the place: After the admission decision is communicated, the place usually has to be confirmed within a short deadline (1–2 weeks). If this is missed, the place may be given to another student.

2. Textbooks and school supplies: The school usually sends a list of the required textbooks. It is worth checking whether the school library, a local book exchange, or an online platform (e.g. Ricardo.ch) offers used copies.

3. Planning the timetable and transport: In Switzerland, student travel passes (Generalabonnement Junior / Junior-Abo, or a cantonal student pass) can be obtained at a significant discount. It is worth arranging one before the school year starts.

4. School administration: Some schools ask for an updated copy of the residence permit, a health information form (especially for sports), or a photo for the school ID card.

5. Parent information evening: Most Swiss secondary schools organise a parent evening (Elternabend / Soirée des parents) before the school year starts. Attendance is strongly recommended — this is where the house rules, grading system and contact channels are explained.

6. Language preparation: If the student does not yet feel confident in the language of instruction, it is worth taking an intensive language course during the summer break. Many cantons and private organisations in Switzerland offer summer integration programmes.

Sources

• Swiss federal information portal: ch.ch

• State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI / SERI): sbfi.admin.ch

• SwissUniversities (Swiss rectors’ conference for higher education): swissuniversities.ch

• Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK / CDIP): educa.ch and edk.ch

• Career and study guidance (BSLB): berufsberatung.ch

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