Briefly about the main thing
Switzerland is not famous for its large reserves of natural resources, and it is education and knowledge that helped the Swiss form such a stable, prestigious and reliable state in all respects, which is perhaps one of the main riches of this compact European state. Today, as hundreds of years ago, Switzerland's education system is rightly considered one of the best in the world..jpg)
The country consists of cantons, which, in turn, are empowered to independently regulate and manage educational activities within their territories. So, in some of them, the first foreign language begins to be studied in the seventh grade, while in the neighboring canton, a foreign language is introduced already in the fourth. This significantly complicates the lives of children moving with their parents to a new place of residence in another region, although by the end of the educational process, knowledge of at least two state and one foreign language is considered the norm.
The majority of Swiss children study in public schools, and the children of foreigners legally residing and working in Switzerland can also enroll there on a general basis. Private schools in Switzerland are very expensive – and in many ways they are aimed specifically at the children of wealthy expats.
The state education system includes kindergartens (Kindergarten or La crèche), primary schools (Volksschule), secondary schools (Gymnasium) and universities (Universityäten). Almost every municipality provides kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and there is at least one secondary school in most remote areas. It is worth clarifying that a secondary school in Switzerland is a collective concept that includes several "systems" of teaching children from 10 to 16 years old. Secondary schools are called both cantonal schools (gymnasiums) and special schools with vocational education within the educational system.Higher education in Switzerland can be obtained in 12 universities, 10 of which are run by the cantons and two are run by the Swiss Higher Technical School of Zurich and the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne.
After graduating from primary school, children can either continue their studies at secondary school, or begin a basic course of study, after which they can take an academic course at any secondary school or at the so-called Fachhochschule (FH), University of Applied Sciences.
Perhaps the main difference between the Swiss education system and its Russian counterpart is the provision of freedom, the creation of a comfortable atmosphere and an exciting learning process, which does not mean a frivolous approach to obtaining such invaluable knowledge.
Kindergartens (Kindergarten)
Unlike schools, kindergarten attendance in Switzerland is not mandatory, but children of working parents do not have much choice. In kindergartens, children do not learn to read and write, educators help them develop social skills, get used to sitting quietly and calmly and learn to focus on the teacher. Children can attend kindergarten for a year or two, and since German-speaking cantons are taken to school from the age of seven, children come to kindergarten at the age of five or six. In the French-speaking part of Switzerland, where children go to primary school at the age of four, La crèche is accepted from two to four years old. There are also special groups, analogous to nurseries, where babies are taken from the age of four months (in German Kita, from Toindertagesst
Kindergartens, like in principle all educational institutions in Switzerland, can be public and private. In the latter, of course, the cost of a child's stay is more expensive, but a fee is charged for the maintenance of a child in a state preschool institution. The state treasury covers the expenses of parents only partially. Getting into a state kindergarten is no less a problem than in Russia, and it is desirable for expectant mothers to get in line even at the stage of pregnancy. A place in the garden is given from the age of four, and before that you can take your child to the so-called Kinderkrippe playgroup. These are commercial groups, which means that the cost of a child's stay in them is fully funded by the parents (8-10 francs per hour), but if both parents work full-time, or one works and the other studies, then part of the costs of the Kinderkrippe are covered by the state. A full day with meals and education in a playful way costs CHF 60-150, while the state garden, if there is a place in it, costs CHF 40-130.
There are Russian kindergartens in Switzerland. So, only in Zurich there are three of them - educators with specialized education and work experience in Russia work here. All communication with children takes place in Russian. Children whose parents want to develop communication skills in their native language are sent to such kindergartens.
The shortage of places in state kindergartens has given rise to such a type of child care as "day mothers", that is, nannies (German Tagesmutter or French mamande jour). As a rule, these are neighbors or acquaintances who, having their own children, look after strangers for a very modest fee. The next day, such a chain of friendly mutual assistance may shift, and the duties of the "day mom" are performed by the next parent.
The services of a private nanny cost about 25 francs per hour.
Schools (Volksschule) and gymnasiums (Gymnasium)
Compulsory education in Switzerland lasts for nine years, during which time children manage to complete primary school and the first stage of secondary school. And, since the cantons have the right to independently determine the policy and basic steps in the field of education, it is not surprising that the subjects, the initial age of students and the duration of training differ significantly from region to region.
So, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, school is accepted from the age of four, and here it is called Ecole enfantine. Children study there until they are six years old, and from the age of six or seven, depending on the date of birth of the child, children are taken to primary schoolEcole primaire. In fact, Ecole enfantine is an analogue of the former zero classes in the Russian education system or, according to established practice, the senior kindergarten group. During this time, children learn letters and numbers and prepare for elementary school. From the age of four, education in public schools is free. In German-speaking cantons, the school (Volksschule ) is accepted, as a rule, from the age of seven, and the learning process lasts eight, and more often nine years. Some schools offer an extra year for children who have not decided what to do next, have not found a job or have not reached a certain age. Volksschule is divided into Primarschule and Oberstufenschule.
In Zurich, Primarschule lasts six years and usually children are taught by one teacher who teaches all subjects. The Oberstufenschule lasts for another three years and there are at least two teachers assigned to each class who teach various subjects. Additional teachers may be involved in specialized subjects, such as physical education, needlework or cooking. After Primarschule , students can continue their studies atGymnasium, bypassing Oberstufenschule. In this case, studying at the gymnasium will take six and a half years, instead of four and a half years.
After finishing primary school, most children in Switzerland go to the so-called practice (Berufslehre), which, depending on the chosen profession, lasts from two to four years. Practical activity includes all types of professions, from handicraft (mechanic, carpenter, baker, hairdresser, etc.) to office (secretary, accountant, information technology specialist, etc.). This type of training implies an internship in a specialized company, but at the same time the student must attend school one or two days a week. Upon completion of the internship and depending on the level of education, young people can either start working or continue their education at the University of Applied Sciences Fachhochschulen (formerly known as Höhere Technische Lehranstalt (HTL), Higher Technical School).
Large cantons, financing the cantonal university, as a rule, finance their cantonal higher professional school, where they study natural sciences and social disciplines. The status of cantonal higher professional schools for Swiss applicants in well-known fields is even higher than the status of universities it is more difficult to enroll there, because it often requires a place of work or practice in the specialty. Translated into Russian, this type of institution sounds like a Universityapplied Sciences (not to be confused with the University of Canton). They are funded by the canton (only two such higher professional schools, in Zurich and Lausanne, are funded by the Federation: ETH in Zurich and L’cole polytechnique fédérale in Lausanne, which reflects its name – Federal Technical Higher School). There are also many private high schools.
Gymnasiums in Switzerland are also divided into several types, depending on the emphasis placed on the in-depth study of certain subjects. Thus, Mathematisches und Naturwissenschaftliches Gymnasium is focused on the study of mathematics and natural sciences, where in addition to German, two other foreign languages are studied (as a rule, these are French and English/Italian). Gymnasiums Neusprachliches Gymnasium focus on the study of modern languages: German, French, Italian and English, but mathematics and natural sciences are also taught here, that is, the emphasis in such educational institutions is shifted. Linguistic Altsprachliches Gymnasium are focused on the study of Latin, as well as two modern foreign languages, but they also study exact and natural sciences. Subjects with an economic bias are included in the program Wirtschaftsgymnasium, and a relatively new type of gymnasium became Musisches Gymnasium (school of arts) and Sportgymnasium (with a sports bias). As already mentioned, education in all secondary schools lasts six and a half or four and a half years and ends with a federal diploma of education (Eidgenössische Matura), which is recognized in all universities in Switzerland and in most foreign universities.
Thanks to the high standards of education and strict discipline, international schools, gymnasiums and boarding schools in Switzerland have become one of the best in the world. To date, there are 44 international schools in the country, which are part of the Swiss Group of International Schools. This includes primary and general education institutions, day schools and boarding schools, schools with various teaching methods (according to the Montessori or Kumon method), and you can also choose from a number of schools working according to the curricula of Switzerland, the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France or Japan.
The types of academic programs in Swiss schools have their own division:
- Swiss system (Matura), training is conducted in Italian, French or German;
- The German system (Abitur), implies learning in German;
- French system (Baccalaureat), conducts training in French;
- Italian System (Maturita) – training in Italian;
- Anglo-American system – A-level and GCSE, AP (Advanced placement) – training in English;
- International Baccalaureate (IB), the training is conducted in English, and the certificate is recognized by all universities of the world.
The procedure for admission to an international school, the list of subjects studied, as well as the cost of tuition are purely individual. For example, the International School of Basel ISB does not provide entrance exams, but depending on the available level of education or information obtained during the introductory interview, additional tests may be required, for example, a language or mathematics proficiency test. The prestige of this school also corresponds to the prices: the registration fee is CHF 500, CHF 4000 must be paid as an entrance fee, and a year of primary school costs from 20,870 Swiss francs (as of the 2016-2017 academic year).
For the most part, the maintenance of a child in an international private school in Switzerland will cost parents CHF 40 000-90000 annually. Such a large price range is explained by the costs of basic education, which is considered mandatory and generally covers the same list of services in all schools (compulsory subjects, homework check, library use, Internet access), and additional costs (accommodation, meals, sports, insurance, leisure). Schools such as Tasis, one of the best schools in the canton of Ticino, where annual boarding costs CHF 82,000, and the Geneva Le Collège du Léman (boarding CHF 87,500, full-time CHF 36,400) fit into the designated budget. The Aiglon College school in Villars-sur-Ollon looks relatively budget-friendly against this background, where the cost of tuition varies from CHF 16,800 (full-time) to CHF 25,200 (boarding) per year.
Universities (Universityäten)
The oldest university in Switzerland is the University of Basel, founded back in 1460, which means that it has been successfully teaching students for more than 550 years. Today, about 13,000 students from more than 100 countries, including 2,700 graduate students, study at the University of Basel, which consistently ranks among the top hundred universities in the world from year to year.
Traditionally, the two universities run by the confederation are strong in technical specialties, while the universities run by the cantons specialize in natural sciences and humanities. In order to enroll in a Swiss university, a student must graduate from a gymnasium and provide a graduation diploma. The process of obtaining higher education itself lasts, as a rule, four and a half years.
Both Swiss federal institutes are currently adapting the educational process to the so-called "Bologna Declaration", an attempt by European universities to coordinate their educational program in order to make it not only easier, but also to open up the opportunity for students to transfer from a university in one country to an educational institution in another. Now the Swiss higher education system assumes a bachelor's degree (three years) and a master's degree (one and a half to two years). After successful completion of the master's degree, the graduate can go to work or continue his studies and get a doctorate, which takes another three to four years.
The legends about the high cost of Swiss education are true only for private universities. The cost of an annual study program at a state educational institution in Switzerland is comparable to most European universities, and is much cheaper than English, American or Australian counterparts. For example, studying at Switzerland's largest university, the University of Zurich, will cost a foreigner CHF 1580 per year. The most expensive among the state universities of the country is the University of Italian Switzerland (University of Lugano), located in the canton of Ticino. Here, the tuition fee for international students reaches CHF 8000 per year. Only students studying in Switzerland under the exchange program are completely exempt from tuition fees. But the process of studying at private universities really puts Switzerland among the leaders in the high cost of education. So, an annual course at a private university can cost CHF 50 000-60000.
In addition to this, it is worth adding living expenses, and given the high cost of living in Switzerland, a year of residence, depending on personal needs, can cost CHF 10, 000-30,000 (an average of 1850-2000 francs per month).
An alternative to academic university education can be a college, which also provides higher education, but with a narrower specialization. Russian students can choose one of 120 colleges where they teach hotel business, accounting, banking, economics and a number of other specialties. It is easier for a Russian to enroll there than at a university, and the knowledge gained in college is more focused on practical activities..jpg)
The conditions for admission of foreign students need to be clarified at the chosen university, since the requirements of educational institutions, as well as curricula of similar specialties in different universities differ. Some, for example, require a certificate of secondary education and passing entrance exams (the official language of the canton + tests on the profile of the university), and some universities in Switzerland can be enrolled in translation, having studied several courses at a Russian university. Here you need to know the following: Swiss universities have lists of Russian or other foreign universities that are considered recognized. If an educational institution is not on the list, then it is difficult for a student of an uncredited university to prove that he can be transferred. He will be asked to take an exam in Switzerland. The same applies to those who want to get a second education in Switzerland.
Experts note that, in general, universities in German-speaking cantons impose stricter requirements on students from Russia than educational institutions in French-speaking regions. Another limitation facedforeign students, – actual inability to enroll in medical faculties, and this applies not only directly to medicine, but also to related specialties – pharmacology, physiology, dentistry and veterinary medicine.
Additional education
In Switzerland, there are a number of activities related to distance education via the Internet. In particular, The Center for Continuing Education at the Swiss Higher Technical School of Zurich provides the latest information about all opportunities to continue studying. Here you can learn about postgraduate studies, postgraduate studies and short-term courses of various directions. In addition, you can find useful information and addresses of educational centers in this center.
Language courses
The strongest schools where the language is taught at a level sufficient for admission to university are concentrated in Fribourg. Here they also take language tests and all other exams for admission to a Swiss university. In addition, Swiss universities organize summer language courses at their training bases, which allows foreigners to "tighten" their knowledge at the chosen university.
A three-week summer camp at the Tasis school (canton of Ticino), in which children are taught not only the official languages of Switzerland, but also English, will cost parents CHF 6200. Adult education at the Zurich International Language School costs from CHF 500 per week; in this case, you will additionally have to pay for accommodation (from CHF 395 per week), meals and graduation certification.
As a summary
Education of any level received in compact and patriarchal Switzerland, of course, is not a cheap pleasure, and even if a happy student managed to get to a budget place, living expenses will be very impressive. That is why, and first of all, parents should ask the question of expediency: is the desire to study in Switzerland a race for prestige or a real investment in the future? One thing is for sure: the independence, independence and confidence that children who have studied abroad gain will help out in many difficult situations and open the door to a completely different world, although in the process of learning and after it, all bets are on the student's personal qualities and goals.
The HomesOverseas portal thanks Irina Chernova Burger for her help in preparing the article (RUS 2 SWISS Immobilien GmbH), Irina Simonyan (Henley & Partners Switzerland AG), Yulia Sharonova (SharonoFF) and Daria Seminozhenko (Sima Immobilien GMBH).
Photo: Switzerland Tourism / swiss-image.ch / swisseducation.com / mypremiumeurope.com
Olga Shoshina
