Education in Switzerland. Studies for foreign students and children

Today, many foreign students dream about studying in one of the most prestigious European countries - Switzerland. SMAPSE offers the TOP-100 private and boarding schools in Switzerland where students from all over the world can take advanced courses and studying programs. Secondary education in Switzerland is considered to be one of the most prestigious in the world and is characterized by an impeccably high quality – education in Switzerland has long been considered a synonym for quality, reliability, huge prospective, and respectability.

Education in Switzerland combines modern educational standards and centuries-old traditions of education in Europe (traditions of educational systems of Germany, Austria, Italy, France, England, the USA). Foreign students can study in elite schools in Switzerland, which educate the so-called "citizens of the world", and at the same time provide an individual and versatile approach to each student.

Studies in Switzerland can begin at any age - the most rational option is to study in a private boarding school in Switzerland: for the graduates of such institutions, doors of the most prestigious and top-ranked colleges, higher schools, and universities of the world are open. Swiss traditions in education allow schools to bring up in foreign students purposefulness and leadership qualities, which helps the formation of young specialists.

Studying in Switzerland after 11th grade opens doors of prestigious universities in the world for foreign students, thus ensuring him a successful career in any country of the world.

In addition, Switzerland is a country that was one of the first to introduce exchange programs for foreign students. Today every third student who studies here came from another country.

The admission and enrollment services in Swiss schools and universities from SMAPSE experts are free of charge for international students. We are not intermediaries, also we can help to get discounts and academic scholarships in case of excellent student’s academic performance. Samples of entrance tests to private schools in Switzerland are presented in the SMAPSE centre.

Foreign students can get a secondary education in Switzerland in private schools: they are distinguished by the high quality of general and specialized subjects, as well as comfortable living conditions. Another feature is their location - campuses are surrounded by stunning nature with mountains or lakes. For the same reasons, seasonal language schools abroad are also quite popular with international students.

It's important to note that studying in a prestigious Swiss boarding school is not cheap - the average price per year is 45 000 CHF – 90 000 CHF (cost includes tuition, accommodation, and meals). Studying often includes travelling to language camps during the holidays: besides the academic program, there are rich entertainment and excursion programs (included in the cost).

Tuition fees for studying in the TOP-100 schools in Switzerland for foreign students do not differ from those for the citizens of other countries – here all students are equal in rights and have equal opportunities to reduce costs through getting scholarships and grants.

Actually, foreign students have a great opportunity to choose from a wide range of studying programs and courses in Switzerland. All courses are exclusively practically-oriented and include such areas as:

• economics (for high school and middle classes)

• business

• law

• art

• design

• architecture

• music

• social sciences

• biology

• physics

• chemistry,etc.

Swiss educational institutions provide various effective courses that meet the highest international standards. You can get the chosen specialization as part of the program with studying in English, French or German.

According to data from the international program PISA, the level of students in Swiss secondary schools is higher than the average relative to the rest of Europe.

When enrolling in the universities, foreign students should take into account the fact that in Switzerland each canton has its own language. Foreign students should have a high level of language skills. In cases of lacking in communication skills, the students have an opportunity to improve their language level by passing language courses of additional education. Studying of such programs is organized in many educational institutions in Switzerland.

The main feature of studying at Swiss universities is a large number of theoretical exercises supporting practical classes. It goes without saying that when more than 50% of study time is devoted to practice, the results will be remarkable.

Studying in Switzerland at the university is a step towards a successful career. Students make this step during their internship in a company. Graduates of higher education institutions, as a rule, receive many offers from European and international companies.

Education in Switzerland today is chosen by many wealthy parents who understand the importance and value of excellent education abroad. Investments in top-quality education pay off completely. The majority of positive comments are about the quality of educational services, comfortable intensity, organization of internships, and leisure. Parents note the level of teaching and individual approach, and highly appreciate such amenities as campus infrastructure and surrounding nature.

Children's impressions of their stay in the country (check out our reviews page) are positive, like the parents’ ones. However, students note not only the infrastructure, the quality of food, etc., but the ability to make decisions independently within the curriculum, be engaged in creativity and sports activities, and much more.

The cost of studying in one of 100 best Swiss schools is much higher than in England and the United States, ranging from 45 000 CHF to 90 000 CHF per year in the most prestigious and elite boarding schools.

The price is that high primarily due to excellent living conditions and an individual approach to each student.

One of the highest priority areas of higher education in Switzerland:

• hotel and tourism business

• management

• catering

• cooking

In terms of the level of service, Switzerland has long served as a benchmark for European and global corporations - therefore, it makes sense to receive education in these specialized directions here.

An important advantage of education in the hotel, restaurant and travel businesses in Switzerland is an integral, compulsory work practice and internships that students attend during their studies. Thanks to the cooperation with the best national and international companies, students have a great opportunity to gain valuable practical experience in prestigious restaurants, hotels and tourist sites, see the intrinsics from the inside, and learn to work in any position - from the regular staff to the top management. Internships and production practices make it possible to engage in valuable business contacts - many students receive profitable offers for work even before graduation, and immediately after graduation they get prestigious, highly paid jobs.

Some schools of hospitality and hotel business in Switzerland are located directly in large hotels: this allows students to apply theoretical knowledge on practice on a daily basis, as well as to obtain the most useful and relevant knowledge in regards to modern business canons.

Below you will find a list of a few prestigious and top-rated profile schools:

• Glion Institute of Higher Education;

• Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS);

• César Ritz Colleges Switzerland;

• Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland;

• Hotel Institute Montreux HIM;

• International School of Hotel Management IHTTI

• International Hotel and Tourism Training Institute;

• Les Roches International School of Hotel Management.

Tuition fees in such schools and institutes are quite large due to the prestige of educational institutions in Switzerland. High cost of studying and quality education are main characteristics of the Swiss educational system.

In general, the cost of bachelor's degree programs ranges from 17 000 CHF to 31 300 CHF per semester (academic half-year). But the costs of education are fully paid off during the first few years after graduation: education in the best profile institutions in Switzerland is almost a clear pass to the largest and most prestigious companies in the world. Internships and practices during the education helps students to quickly find work after university.

One of the most important features of the Swiss education system is that it is equally controlled by the federal and cantonal authorities. The administration of each region in Switzerland is responsible for all institutions from preschool to the first stage of secondary education. The state controls the questions concerning free education for local residents and compliance with the quality indicators of educational services.

The administration of cantons monitors the second stage of secondary education, excluding professional institutions, which are under the patronage of the Swiss government. Regional authorities are responsible for all state institutions – colleges, gymnasiums and schools in Switzerland. Federal authorities control Swiss private schools due to the fact that programs of boarding schools prepare their students for successful passing of the unified federal exam.

Thus, educational documents from public schools are valid only in Switzerland, and certificates of private institutions are accepted in Switzerland and outside it. Swiss high school obeys both levels of government. Also, the system of higher education in Switzerland meets the requirements of the Bologna Agreement, including two main stages – Bachelor and Master programs.

You can start teaching a child in Switzerland (both a local resident and a foreign student) from the age of 4-6 at the stage of preschool education. This educational stage is not mandatory, however, suits for better adaptation of small pupils. Lesson program includes interactive repetition and memorization of different rhymes, and outdoor games. At the stage of preschool education, children do not even study reading, writing or counting, standard classes are not conducted.

In Switzerland educational institutions have two main tasks:

• During the studying - to reveal the individuality of each child;

• To help to express creativity and to instil an interest in studying the world and learning new things.

Secondary education in Switzerland can be obtained in prestigious private schools, which are distinguished by the high quality of teaching general and profile disciplines, comfortable conditions of living and excellent equipment. For international students cozy residences, sport grounds and entertainment centres are opened. Another feature of private schools in Switzerland is location – the campus of each school is surrounded by stunning mountain or lake nature.

Stage of secondary education is divided in 2 levels:

• Secondaire I

• Secondaire II

The first level stipulates mandatory education, lasting 3-4 years – primary and middle classes. The second level is studying in high school. Graduating from this educational stage means getting a full secondary education. On this stage, the foreign student can choose one of the options for studying – professional education or studying in the Swiss gymnasium. 

Schools in Switzerland pay great attention to the sport development of foreign students. In any time of the year the educational program includes sport classes: in winter – this is skiing, snowboarding, in summer - mountain hikes, excursions, camping, etc.

Academic year in Switzerland divides in 3 parts or trimesters:

• Autumn (September – middle of December)

• Spring (middle of January – middle of April)

• Summer (end of April-beginning of June).

— What are the most important questions parents ask when looking for a suitable Swiss school?

First of all, they evaluate the safety and reliability for children. They are also looking for extra-curricular activities, opportunities to travel around the country and beyond, in general, a lifestyle on campus. Many choose Surval because they value family values, ethics, a relaxed atmosphere - this is especially important for girls - the small size of the school, the excellent quality of care and boarding life. Children leave home far and for a long time, which is why parents so appreciate the opportunity to give their children a family away from the family.

Secondary schools in Switzerland have been creating all the conditions for inclusive education for many years. In Swiss schools, students with special needs can enrol on a competitive basis. An educational program was created for this category of students, the format of classes is adapted to the inclusive educational process. The educational program stipulates a new approach from teachers and involvement of students in the social environment. In all Swiss schools, the necessary equipment of buildings and classrooms have been made for students with special needs.

Switzerland is one of the most enlightened countries in Europe, so the question of caring for disabled people is given the closest attention here. If a student's health requires a specialized educational institution, young people and their parents can choose an educational institution where only students from a special category study, or find an option where they adhere to a mixed form of education. 

Also, there are always specialists in Swiss schools who help such children by using advanced educational methods. All these efforts help people with different degrees of disability and other developmental features to successfully adapt to society and be prepared for adulthood.