Cantonal school structures and cantonal offer

The diagrams below are based on the global diagram for the Swiss education system. They show the current cantonal school structures and the educational offer in the cantons. The diagrams are based on the cantonal laws and have been created together with the cantonal educational departments.

Compulsory education: The pre-school system ("kindergarten", "école enfantine") currently spans one, two or three years, depending on canton. In 21 cantons, primary school lasts six years and lower secondary education three years. Five cantons have a different structure (5/4 or 4/5). This will be harmonised according to the intercantonal agreement of the EDK on harmonisation of compulsory education (HarmoS).

Post-compulsory schooling: Post-compulsory education is largely based on national requirements. There are, however, cantonal differences in what is offered (e.g. specialised middle schools, specialised matura).

You can find more detailed information in the 2009/2010 cantonal survey or on the websites of the cantonal education departments.

With all the diagrams, there is a link to the ISCED (International Standard Classification of Education). This makes it possible to compare education levels internationally.

Click on a canton to open the respective page.
Click here if you want to open all diagrams at once.