Second higher education in Switzerland. How to enter universities in Switzerland: programs for admission to universities in Switzerland, features. Top Universities in Switzerland

General information about the country.

State in Western Europe. It borders in the north with Germany, in the south with Italy, in the west with France, in the east with Austria and Liechtenstein. Population - 7.7 million people. The official languages ​​of Switzerland are: German, French, Italian and Romansh (the latter is official only for communication with Romansh speakers). The capital of the country is the city of Bern. The largest cities are Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne. Switzerland is a parliamentary republic. The territory of the country is 41,284 square kilometers. Switzerland is the richest country in the world and one of the most important banking and financial centers in the world (Zurich is the third after New York and London world currency market).

Higher education in Switzerland.

There are 12 public universities in Switzerland: seven "classical" cantonal universities - in Basel, Bern, Friborg, Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, Zurich and St. Gallen - two small cantonal universities in the status university College of Lucerne and Universita della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, as well as two special polytechnic schools EPF Lausanne and ETH Zurich, where they teach engineering and architecture. There are also private universities, business schools and world-famous hospitality institutions.

Subjects are taught depending on the language region: German– in Basel, Bern, Zurich, Lucerne and St. Gallen; in French - in Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel; in Italian - in Lugano; in two languages ​​(German and French) - in Friborg.

Universities in Switzerland are subject to both the federal government and the cantons, so there is no single educational program. A mandatory minimum exists only for the faculties of engineering, law, economics and management, agriculture and design. Programs for all other specialties differ depending on which canton the university is located in. Universities regulate the number of students with an exam after the first year of study, the most difficult. After it, up to 50% of students are eliminated. Students take the same exam after the second year of study. This is followed by 2-3 years of advanced training, after which they are awarded a licentiate degree (Lizentiat) or a diploma (Diploma). These degrees correspond to a master's degree. The next step - doctoral student (PhD) - requires more three years learning. The academic year at Swiss Universities is divided into two semesters. The winter semester starts in mid-October and lasts until early March. The spring semester starts in mid-April and ends in mid-July.

Admission to Swiss universities is made in accordance with the accepted system of competitive selection. The applicant submits documents to the university where he would like to study and waits for the decision of the selection committee. Since Swiss universities accept students from abroad, the admissions committee analyzes not only the academic performance of applicants, but also the correspondence of the level of education they received to the Swiss level. In some cases, students from abroad are asked to take a preparatory course in order to be admitted to the university.

The percentage of foreign students in Swiss universities is quite high: on average - about 18%, and at the University of Geneva - up to 33%.

In order to enter a state university, a foreign student must be fluent in German, French or Italian and pass the challenging entrance exams based on educational standards with perfection.

Admission of a foreign student to the Faculty of Medicine is almost impossible: the profession of a doctor is so popular that the competition for this specialty is very high. Dental and veterinary faculties are closed to foreigners.

Therefore, for foreigners in Switzerland, private educational institutions are mainly available, which are represented by private universities of the hotel and tourism business and private business schools, for example: Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, Glion Institute of Higher Education, EU Business School.

Education in Switzerland at private universities is carried out on English language and for admission is not required to pass examinations in the specialty. The main requirement for admission is the presence of a Russian certificate or diploma of higher education and knowledge of the English language.

The highest entry requirements Applicants from Russia are presented with universities in the German-speaking part of the country. To enroll in the first year, you must complete at least two courses at a Russian university and pass a special unified exam for foreigners at the admissions office in the city of Friborg. To enter the universities of Lausanne, Geneva and Neuchâtel, where they teach in French, it is enough for graduates of a Russian high school with a good (without triples) matriculation exam to pass a single exam.

In the system of the Higher educational education The following study programs are available in Switzerland:

1. Bachelor's degree (duration of study 3.5 - 4 years)
2. Postgraduate programs (duration of study up to 1.5 years). The programs are designed for those who already have a higher education and who want to change their specialization.
3. Master and MBA (Master of Business Administration). The duration of training is 1 year.

Many private universities in the country offer a long-term preparatory program "English in Switzerland", and at public universities in Switzerland you can find summer courses in German or French.

According to research by many reputable agencies, Switzerland's workforce is the most skilled in the world. Largely due to this, the country managed to achieve incredible success in the economy and social sphere, moreover, with a significant shortage of natural resources. Swiss universities are the nucleus for the production of top-class specialists.

Higher education in Switzerland is considered one of the highest quality in the world. The country's universities occupy top positions in various rankings, and relatively inexpensive tuition fees attract a huge number of foreign students. A prestigious diploma opens up broad prospects for immigrating to Europe for permanent residence, decent employment in Switzerland and the opportunity to open your own Swiss company.

A feature of the Swiss higher education system is opportunity to study in 4 foreign languages. In addition to English courses, mainly in master's programs, students can choose a university with teaching in one of the 3 official languages ​​of the country. For example, in Zurich and Bern you can study at German, in Geneva and Lausanne on French, and in Lugano Italian.

Thereby about a third of students in Switzerland are foreigners representing over 100 nationalities. The quality of Swiss education is annually confirmed by reputable rating agencies. QS World University Rankings And The Times Higher Education.

So, in 2019, according to both publications TOP-200 includes 7 Swiss universities. In addition, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology was in 10th and 11th place. Moreover, the area of ​​the country is relatively small, and the population is just over 8.6 million people.

The Swiss higher education system is represented by the following categories of educational institutions:

1. Cantonal universities - 10.
2. Federal Institutes of Technology - 2.
3. Universities applied sciences - 8.
4. Universities of teacher education - 20.

Most universities are public, with the exception of several independent pedagogical universities and one university of applied sciences. In addition, a network of private educational institutions, especially business schools, is well represented in Switzerland. However, many of them do not have state accreditation and the cost of education is incredibly high.

The study programs in Switzerland are based on the Bologna process, based on the accumulative credit system.

1. Undergraduate. Training period 3 years(180 credits).
2. Master's degree. Training period 1.5–2 years, post-baccalaureate (90–120).
3. Doctorate. Training period 3–5 years, after master's degree.

The academic year runs from September to July and is divided into two semesters:

• autumn ( September-February);
• spring ( March-July).

Almost every higher education institution in Switzerland adheres to the rule on the provision of quality education. Therefore, many universities deliberately reduce the number of disciplines in order to focus on profile directions. All available for international students educational programs other than medical. With few exceptions, these places are entirely occupied by the Swiss.

Scholarship programs for foreigners, as a rule, they are based on interuniversity agreements. Due to the migration crisis of recent years, Switzerland does not actively participate in international student exchange programs, for example, Erasmus. On the other hand, the government offers internal scholarships for talented scientists and artists from abroad.

Admission of foreign students to different universities in Switzerland has a similar procedure, but the final decision is made by a particular university. Therefore, for accurate information, it is definitely necessary to contact the official website of the educational institution, where the corresponding application is actually submitted. In addition, requirements may vary by country. Let us designate the main conditions for foreigners from the CIS countries, including Russians and Ukrainians, when enrolling in a Swiss university.

Requirements for international students for admission to a Swiss university

Age at least 18 years old.

Certificate of complete secondary education. In addition, for example, citizens of Russia or Ukraine must have 2 years of study at a domestic university behind them. This requirement does not apply to the two federal institutions. This will require a certificate and passing the entrance exams.

Language. Virtually all universities in Switzerland require knowledge of the language ( French, German, Italian) at a level sufficient for study ( B1, B2). This must be confirmed by a certificate or delivery. special exams. Many universities offer inexpensive language courses in the summer and during the academic year. Master's programs are widely presented in English.

Additional Information. detailed autobiography, covering letter with interesting areas of study, copies of diplomas and certificates from other higher educational institutions.

The deadline for applying to the vast majority of universities in Switzerland ends on April 30th.

Despite the fact that most universities are funded by the state, paid education in switzerland. Moreover, an increased rate may apply to foreign students. Nevertheless, the cost of studying is still much lower, for example, than in the UK. On average, one year of study at a Swiss university will cost from 450 to 4000 euros per semester.

The next expense item is living in Switzerland. According to some reports, these big cities, like Zurich and Geneva, are among the most expensive in the world.

Help in finding a student room on preferential terms can be provided directly by the university. Otherwise, you will have to look for housing on your own. One-room apartment rental starts from 1 thousand euros per month.

For other related costs, for example, educational materials, food, excursions, medical insurance and so on, have to spend at least 1-1.5 thousand euros per month. Travel to public transport costs 2.5 euros, a movie ticket 15 euros, bread 2 euros, a pack of cigarettes 7 euros.

In total for living in Switzerland, in addition to tuition fees, a foreigner will need about 2 thousand euros per month. Students from countries outside the European Union can start looking for work (no more than 15 hours per week) no earlier than 6 months after the start of the academic year.

Top Universities in Switzerland

The educational institution, located in the large Swiss city of Zurich, was founded in 1855. Today it is one of the most prestigious and sought-after universities not only in Switzerland, but also in the world. This is evidenced by the stable presence in the first in the top ten universities according to various rating agencies.

The university is a true leader in the training of qualified specialists technical professions. The reputation of the university is confirmed by 21 Nobel laureate who, one way or another, were associated with the institute. Among them are such outstanding personalities as Albert Einstein and Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen.

Currently, over 18.6 thousand students study at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, of which about 35% are foreigners representing more than 110 countries. The learning process is provided by 8.5 thousand employees, including 500 professors and over 5 thousand scientists.

Educational programs include areas such as architecture and construction, mathematics, science and Social sciencies, the scope of management. Education is conducted in German, but some programs provide for the second and third years of study in English. Submission of documents begins on November 1 and ends on April 30. The cost of studying for one semester is 649 Swiss francs (about 575 euros).

Official website of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - www.ethz.ch

This is the second Swiss educational institution at the federal level. The founding date of the university is 1853. The School of Lausanne, although slightly inferior to the more reputable Institute of Technology in Zurich, nevertheless also holds the top positions in the world rankings. For example, according to the version QS World University Rankings 2019 the university occupies the 22nd position.

The infrastructure of the university includes 5 schools, 2 colleges, 28 institutes and 354 laboratories. About 5800 employees of the university provide training for over 10 thousand students representing more than 112 nationalities.

The School of Lausanne offers studies in areas such as architecture and civil engineering, computers and communications, natural and humanitarian sciences, engineering specialties and management.

The main language of instruction is French, but there are also English programs. The deadline for submitting documents is from September to April 30. The cost of studying for one semester is 633 Swiss francs (about 560 euros), including fees for the use of sports facilities and insurance funds.

Official website of the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne - www.epfl.ch

University of Geneva (Université de Genève)

The oldest university in Switzerland, founded in 1559, is located in the second largest city in the country after Zurich, Geneva. It belongs to the category of cantonal universities and offers a wide range of educational areas. For example, in the field of economics, law, psychology, theology, medicine, pedagogical and social sciences.

About 16 thousand students study at the university. The infrastructure consists of 9 faculties and 15 research centers and institutes. Training is offered mainly on French, as well as a small proportion of courses in English. For international students who require a visa, the application deadline is 28 February. The tuition fee is 500 Swiss francs per semester (445 euros).

Official website of the University of Geneva - www.unige.ch

Switzerland, despite its small size, is one of the flagships of European education - and they are very popular, including medical schools V .

This is a fairly compact country in the central part of Europe, more than a quarter covered with forests and bordering on the high peaks of the Alps. The history of the state is quite rich and rich, there is an extremely extensive cultural heritage- many world-famous artists, composers, writers, politicians and scientists were brought up on the territory. Many visitors are amazed by the unique architecture, represented by numerous unique castles, manors and houses: there are 4 world monuments included in the UNESCO heritage list.

Many students and residents of other countries believe that only banking system and education in the hospitality technology industry - but this is not entirely true: science and education in general are given great attention here. Nobel statistics can serve as proof: with a population of only 7 million people, Swiss people are several dozen winners of the most prestigious award!

The traditions of medical education here were laid back in the 15th century, simultaneously with the founding of the University of Basel, the oldest in the country. It is quite difficult for foreigners to enter the medical faculty, since given profession extremely popular among Swiss citizens: according to statistics, here is the most a large number of doctors in the world per unit of population. The profession of a doctor in the country is very respected and prestigious, since the task of the health of the nation is set and controlled by state level. Many citizens first choose a doctor, and only then decide on a clinic for treatment: that is why a person, and not just the level of education and qualifications of a specialist, have great importance- The Swiss attach great importance to building a trusting, friendly relationship between a doctor and a patient.

The structure of medical education

The learning process today is quite long and difficult, it includes 4 stages:

• Basic level (4 semesters, obtaining Demi-Licence)
• Profile study of selected disciplines and areas (obtaining a licentiate degree and a diploma)
• Additional courses, practices, doctoral studies
• Narrow medical specialization and obtaining a scientific degree.

Medical universities and faculties provide training in various areas:

• Home therapist (these are family general practitioners: it is they who monitor the general state of health of patients, conduct primary diagnostics and write out referrals to narrower specialists)
• Internal Medicine Therapist (Physicians) general direction, gastroenterologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, etc.)
• Pediatrician (medical support and supervision of a child from 0 to 18 years old)
• Gynecologist (including obstetrics; there are many private doctors among doctors of this specialization, who at the same time have free access to large treatment and diagnostic centers)
• Surgeon (urgent medical care, radical treatment of internal diseases and body malfunctions)
• Neurosurgeon (the thinnest, most accurate operations, microsurgery using the latest, cutting-edge equipment)
• Oncologist
• Psychiatrist (a separate requirement has been created for them - fluency in several foreign languages, so that direct communication with patients is as effective and productive as possible)
• Orthopedist (universal doctor, specialty on the verge of surgery, traumatology and general therapy).

Students who have successfully completed the course of study and completed the mandatory postgraduate specialization may join the Association of Swiss Medical Specialists (FMH (Swiss Medical Specialist) status must be confirmed annually). Most often, practicing doctors combine several areas: work with private clients, in general and private clinics, regional (as is customary here - cantonal) hospitals, and also conduct their own and group research.

Where to go to study?

For you, we have compiled a list of the most popular and prestigious higher education institutions offering medical education:

1. University of Basel.

Population small town Basel is only about 170 people: it is located in the north-west of the country, the Rhine River divides it into Lesser and Greater Basel. It is a major educational, commercial, cultural and financial center; chemical and pharmaceutical industry: it is in Basel that many headquarters of well-known international corporations (Hoffmann-La Roche, Novartis, Clariant) are located. The city is also famous for its architectural, cultural and historical sights: Gothic cathedrals, the main city gate Spalentor, various museums, St. Paul's Church.

The University of Basel is the oldest in Switzerland: it was founded in 1459, and today 1,500 students from 35 countries of the world study here. The most famous is the Faculty of Medicine: it became the basis for the foundation of the educational institution, along with the faculties of theology, law, and liberal arts. Training is provided in the following areas:

• Jurisprudence
• Psychology
• Philosophy and history
• Business and Economics
• Medicine
• Philosophy and natural Sciences
• Theology.

The university is deservedly proud of the success of its students, graduates and teachers - many of them became laureates Nobel Prize, For example:

• Tadeusz Reichstein - discovery in the field of physiology and medicine regarding hormones in the adrenal cortex (1950)
• Arber Werner - discoveries in genetics and microbiology (restriction enzymes, 1978).

2. University of Bern

Bern is the capital of Switzerland, the political center with a population of 133 thousand people: it is here that the central bank, parliament and government are located. The city also has a huge number of attractions and cultural monuments (Old city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List): the Bernese Fountains, Cathedral, Clock tower, medieval quarters and streets, famous theaters, museums, art galleries and, of course, an old university with a leisurely academic spirit.

The year of the foundation of the University of Bern is 1528: it was originally intended to train Protestant pastors from the Carmelite monastery, but gradually more and more new subjects, sciences, directions for study were added. So, in 1805, the faculties of medicine, philosophy, law and theology were opened, which led to the formation of a modern university (1834), which still exists today. Here, educational age-old traditions while not being afraid to implement modern techniques and innovative equipment. Teaching is conducted in German, but exams can also be taken in French or Italian.

The Faculty of Medicine has a full complement of highly qualified professionals with extensive experience practical work. The duration of training is 6 years: 3 bachelor's and 3 more magistracy, at the end, students pass the general mandatory exam for compliance with the basic law of the medical profession Medizinalberufegesetz MedBG. The university is also proud of its famous graduates:

• Charles Albert Goba - politician, lawyer (Nobel Peace Prize)
• Gyorgy de Heviesy - chemist (Nobel Prize for the discovery of hafnium)
• Kocher Emil Theodor - surgeon (Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology).

Also, Albert Einstein once worked within these walls: his office is still preserved in its original form.

3. University of Geneva.

Perhaps the most famous city in Switzerland (many even mistakenly consider it the capital of the country, although it is only the second largest). This is a rather expensive city with the highest standard of living; it is here that many headquarters of international organizations are located:

• The International Labour Organization
• United Nations European Headquarters
• World Economic Forum
• International Committee of the Red Cross
• European Center for Nuclear Research
• World Health Organization, etc.

It is also the center of the watch industry. Since the city almost directly borders on France, historically the main language here is French.

The first mention of the University of Geneva dates back to 1559: the famous educator John Calvin is considered its founder. Until 1807, the institution was considered an academy, and only after that it acquired the prestigious status of a university. Today, more than 16,000 students study here, there are 7 faculties:

• translation
• Theology
• Medicine
• Jurisprudence
• Psychology
• Economic and social sciences
• Natural science.

Almost all lectures have been translated into audio and video format and are available in a common extensive database; the institution also has its own functional website, where students can find homework assignments, required lists and literature, and many other useful information for learning (each student is assigned a personal account).

The Faculty of Medicine was founded in 1876. Today, training is carried out in close cooperation with city hospitals and clinics, which provides students (1521 people) with a large amount of practice and internship opportunities. The faculty specializes in the field of neurology, transplantation, metabolism and genetics: in these areas it is the absolute leader, providing the highest rating among all medical schools and universities.

4. University of Lausanne.

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, is one of the most attractive and picturesque places in the country. This French-speaking city received a powerful impetus to development during the Enlightenment - and before today enjoys great popularity among many citizens and foreigners due to its restraint, elegance, unhurried rhythm of life and incredible beauty of nature. The population is about 136 thousand people (the fourth largest city in the country); Lausanne also has the status of the Olympic capital - the International Olympic Committee and many international sports associations and federations are located here. In this city - the only one in the country! – the metro is equipped: despite this, most citizens prefer to use trolleybuses.

The University of Lausanne was founded in 1537 as an academy, and acquired a prestigious status in 1890. Today, about 12,000 people study here at 7 faculties:

• medicine
• socio-political sciences
• economics and business administration
• right
• natural Sciences
• humanitarian sciences
• exact sciences.

The educational institution includes three campuses: the largest is located on the shores of the famous picturesque Lake Geneva. The construction of one of the buildings is directly related to the Russian prince Gavril Ryumin: today there is a large library and a wonderful Museum of Natural History.

The local medical faculty is proud of the country's only department of pharmacy and the institute of criminology. Graduates are in demand, qualified doctors who do not stop leading fundamental research and develop in the main biological disciplines. The university cooperates with all national centers of higher education and takes an active part in most of the relevant federal projects.

5. University of Zurich.

A large German-speaking one is located in the northeast - this is the most Big city country with approximately 390,000 inhabitants. It is the world center of finance and science, home to many headquarters of banking and insurance organizations. In 2011, Zurich was ranked second in the world in terms of quality of life, and in 2012 it won the first place among the most expensive cities in the world to live in. There is a huge number of attractions, monuments of culture and art: among them it is worth noting St. Peter's Church, Fluntern Cemetery, Opera theatre and City Hall, Fraumünster, Mahmud Mosque, Kunsthaus, Lindenhof, Grossmünster, Uetliberg.

The University of Zurich is in the TOP-3. It was founded in 1833 and then consisted of three faculties: medicine, theology and jurisprudence. Today, the number of faculties has increased to 7, where 23,000 students study:

• economy
• mathematics and science
• theology
• veterinary
• medicine
• philosophy
• right.

The medical faculty of the university is the largest medical school Switzerland: it has over 2,000 students and 600 teachers. Interestingly, in 1867, for the first time in history, a woman received a doctorate in medical sciences here, and she became a Russian - Nadezhda Prokofievna Suslova.

The university is also proud of its famous and famous graduates, including:

• 23 Presidents of Switzerland
• Prime Minister of Liechtenstein
• Albert Einstein (Nobel Prize)
• Many politicians
• Prime Minister of Kosovo
• Karl Alex Müller (Nobel Prize)
• Erwin Schrödinger (Nobel Prize) and many others.

In addition to the above, it is worth noting other prestigious and well-known Swiss universities where you can get a medical education:

• Haute École Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale (University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland)
• EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne)
• Les Roches-Gruyère University of Applied Sciences (University of Applied Sciences Le Roche-Gruyère)
• Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (Northwestern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences)
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich)
• Université de Friborg (University of Friborg)
• Fachhochschule Ostschweiz (University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland)
• Berner Fachhochschule (Bern University of Applied Sciences)
• Zürcher Fachhochschule (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)
• Kalaidos Fachhochschule (Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences).

How to apply and what is the cost of training?

The medical universities of the country for foreign students set very small quotas and extremely strict admission requirements, but even this does not stop a large flow of applicants from all over the world. The competition here is unusually high, so only the best of the best enter.

Applicants must pass a foreign language proficiency exam (written and oral part, grammar and other key language skills are checked), the result must include at least 60% of correct answers. The remaining requirements for applicants can vary significantly depending on the chosen institution, so it is better to check them directly with the admissions office.

The cost of education for foreign, including Russian citizens, is about 750 francs per semester: by paying given period, the student can attend absolutely any lectures, classes and seminars, regardless of which faculty was chosen, even classes in related specialties. Keep in mind that living in any city in Switzerland is quite expensive (accommodation, food, public utilities, transport and other city expenses); and even a short stay in the country will require compulsory insurance. After enrollment, each student receives an annual study visa, which is renewed annually.

Switzerland is mostly spoken of as the country of the most delicious chocolate, reliable banks, expensive resorts and beautiful mountains. Life is expensive here, but at the same time they open wonderful prospects for learning. Switzerland is home to the most prestigious universities in Europe, among the graduates of which are Nobel Prize winners. But even for a Russian student, studies are available in this mountainous region. However, to do this, some difficulties must be overcome. It is very important to understand what constitutes education in Switzerland, which is so different from the schemes we are familiar with.

Switzerland: education system or systems?

Education in Switzerland is not a single centralized entity. Quantity completely independent educational systems equals the number of federal cantons (the so-called regions into which the country is divided). This is due to the peculiarities of the Swiss Constitution. But all 26 education systems in the country have something in common. The federal government is responsible for ensuring that in each region children and young people receive quality education, and this is accessible to their parents. In addition, education for citizens of the country from six to sixteen years of age should be free everywhere, and even mandatory. Diplomas obtained in different cantons are mutually recognized.

Principles of education in Switzerland

The main feature of education in Switzerland is that it is considered the best in the world. Ever since the Reformation in the 16th century, a completely new view of the process of teaching children was born here. And all education systems in different cantons of the country are still built on traditional Swiss methods. They were developed by such famous teachers as Pestalozzi, Montessori, Piaget and other celebrities. These are the founders of reformist pedagogy, which is based on the following principles:

• the education and upbringing of children is aimed at developing their individual abilities;
• in the process of education, the child should become interested in knowledge and show as much as possible Creative skills in this plan.

The education system in Switzerland is diverse and flexible. Programs and methods have absorbed the best that pedagogical schools around the world could give.

Preschool and Primary Education

Pre-school education in the country is not included in the list of compulsory types of education. But the majority of Swiss citizens prefer their children to go to kindergartens. It is believed that the child is thus easier to socialize and be better prepared for school. In total, about 154 thousand preschool children study in kindergartens in Switzerland. They send children there with very early age. There are even groups where four-month-old babies are accepted. But mostly children from three to four years old are taken to kindergartens. In these institutions, children study, play, eat, sleep. Almost all of them have a swimming pool, a gym. The most popular kindergartens are designed for kids to stay there for half a working day.

Private, public and specialized preschool institutions

Kindergartens are private and public, there are almost five thousand of them in the country. 300 of them are private, with paid education. And in public preschool institutions, part of the costs is borne by the city where the kindergarten is located. Parents pay the amount that corresponds to their income. Private kindergartens offer a rotating schedule, when the child is left after lunch and picked up on the way home. Some institutions accept children full-time, but there are no boarding schools and 24-hour establishments in Switzerland. There are also kindergartens in this country designed for children with disabilities and handicapped. Special conditions are created for them there, but nevertheless, they try to instill in these children the same skills as the rest. And the kids are in these kindergartens until they get the skills, thanks to which they will be able to attend regular kindergartens.

How preschoolers are taught

Games are the main method of teaching children in the system of preschool education. Children repeat songs, poems, observe nature, listen to entertaining stories. At the same time, the child begins to learn languages. A didactic approach aimed at mastering a certain amount of knowledge, teachers consider it inappropriate for children at this age. The local methodology is pragmatic and focused on the individual. In the process of playing learning, educators notice the inclinations and creative abilities of the baby and begin to develop them. Leaving the kindergarten in Switzerland, the child knows less than, for example, his Russian peer, but is better physically developed, self-confident and in a good mood.

Primary school education

Often kindergartens are departments at institutions primary education. After all, little Swiss also start going to school early - from the age of five or six. Therefore, now many kindergartens are gradually merging with schools. Soon they will represent two stages of primary education. In most regions of Switzerland, this period of study lasts six years. In order to enroll in primary school, you do not need to pass tests or pass exams - it is open to everyone. One of the main subjects at school is a foreign language. The teaching load depends on the teachers and the region: it can be from 23 to 32 lessons per week. All subjects are taught by only one teacher.

Secondary education in Switzerland

Compulsory secondary education in Switzerland is primary and first secondary (Secondaire I). Young Swiss go through this stage from 6 to 15 years old. IN public schools this education is free. Secondaire I lasts three or four years after graduation from elementary school. Already at this stage, depending on the abilities demonstrated by the students, they are divided into four groups:

1. Those who are going to study further in academic universities. They are preparing to pass exams and enter the gymnasium (conditionally group "A").
2. real class students. Children go through the same program, but with a lower intensity of mastering the material (group "B").
3. Special classes for children who have difficulties with the school curriculum (group "C").
4. Those who, after graduating from the first stage of secondary school, immediately enter special gymnasiums, where education lasts for six years.

If students in a "lower" class begin to perform well, they can be transferred to another group, but this will require a lot of effort.

Secondaire II - second stage

Secondaire II - the next, senior level of school, which means receiving a complete secondary education. As a rule, the stage takes another two to four additional years, depending on what type of education students choose or what kind of education exists in this canton. But no matter where the schools are located, they are all well-equipped, have a large territory and modern sports grounds.

Gymnasiums

In the gymnasium, they choose a profile (humanitarian, natural science, and so on), according to which they study 15 basic subjects and several additional ones. Pupils are also preparing to take the exam and receive the maturation certificate (Maturité gymnasiale). With it, you can already go to university and continue your academic education. This certificate is given to young people aged 18-19 years.

Professional education

Those who did not enter the gymnasium continue their professional education. This is what most Swiss people do. At the same time, students go to school for 2 days, and train for three days a week at the enterprise in their field. They receive a certificate of secondary vocational education (Maturité professionnelle). With this document, they also come without exams to the university, but of a special type. This is the so-called applied (or professional) university. If, however, students who have received a vocational education still wish to enter the university, then they will have to take exams.

I personally see my pluses and minuses in each of the options: gymnasium or lere (vocational training). You can enter our gymnasium after the second and third grades. Schools have special preparatory courses for admission. But if the goal is a gymnasium, then you need to take tutors unequivocally, there are online sites where teachers, depending on the place of residence, offer their services, even with a home visit for classes. When you enter a gymnasium, you already lose the opportunity to find a lere in case of failure, since the employer wants to have a 100% guarantee. Therefore, many of those who failed the entrance exams go to the tenth grade in a special school. Why do teachers dissuade, according to our teachers, they say, a gymnasium is needed if the child then plans to enter the university, and here it would be necessary to know in advance who the child wants to become by profession. If the university is unnecessary, then there is no point. In general, I know the guys who, after graduating from the gymnasium, went to work, and not to study further, they said that they had no strength, they were tired and tired, they were really loaded there.

Irina Dryada

http://forum.ladoshki.ch/showthread.php?31635-Child-preparing-for-gymnasium-in-Switzerland-(tests-exams-recommendations-how-to-choose-gymnasium)

Boarding houses

Traditionally, many foreigners have always studied and worked in Switzerland. Therefore, many private schools work according to the standard of not only Swiss education, but also major countries world (there are French, Italian, English and international programs). Their graduates receive certificates that are recognized in Switzerland. But when entering a university, students are required to pass exams for a passing score, as well as demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the language in which they will continue to study. In total, there are 260 such schools and boarding schools in Switzerland. Almost all of them are located in resort areas. Not only foreigners study in private schools, but also citizens of Switzerland. Therefore, there are active discussions in the country about whether communities should reimburse parents for at least part of the cost of educating a child in a boarding school.

Features of studying in Switzerland

Since Switzerland has several official languages, schools are taught in one of them: German, French or Italian. In addition, graduates must be proficient in a second state language of their choice, as well as English. If Swiss preschool education is inferior to the Russian one in terms of the level of knowledge, then the secondary education of this country is highly valued in the world. The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) rated the level of Swiss graduates above the European average. State kindergartens and primary schools the countries are financed by the communities (villages and towns), while the secondary schools are financed by the cantons.

When does the school year start

Each canton of the country decides this issue in its own way. In some regions, schoolchildren go to school on August 11, 15, 20. On September 1, the latest schools start working. True, there are discussions in the country about having some one date for the start of the school year throughout the country. But such issues are submitted to a referendum, and it must be approved by at least 10 cantons.

Video: Russian children in schools in Switzerland

Are schools open to visitors?

Children of foreigners, including Russians, can go to regular Swiss schools for free. But here everything depends on the canton of residence and on at what stage of Swiss education the child “fitted” into it. If he went to primary or secondary school (Secondaire I), then he is entitled to free language courses (based on the language of instruction). They are organized directly in schools. If we are talking about Secondaire II, then the child will have to take special courses until he masters the language sufficiently. Without this, he simply will not be allowed to the senior level of the school. This is done because from half to 2/3 of foreign children study in Swiss schools, and teachers prefer to keep high level knowledge of the language of instruction. There are schools with English as the language of instruction, but they are paid.

Dreaming of living and studying in Switzerland? Then you need to understand the intricacies of the process of immigration to the country:

Inclusive education

Switzerland can boast that the inclusive format of education has been functioning in the country for a long time. People with special needs study here along with everyone else. However, they are not subject to any discrimination. All buildings, libraries, classrooms are equipped with special devices and means so that people with limited mobility, hearing or vision problems, and so on, can visit them. This type of training not only develops the social skills of people with disabilities, but teaches other schoolchildren and students how to behave with such people. In addition, depending on their illness or other characteristics, students with disabilities can choose for themselves an educational institution where there is a specialized and specially equipped rehabilitation center. The schools employ specialists who help such children and teach them using the most advanced interactive methods. As a result, people with disabilities are included in adult life with little or no problems.

Higher education

Money for the higher education of young people is allocated by the cantons where certain universities are located, and only two universities receive funding from the federal budget. There are two types of higher education institutions in Switzerland: universities and applied universities (including business schools and evening technical colleges where working people study). Applied universities train narrow specialists for some kind of activity, for example, tourism or engineering. In total, there are 23 applied universities in Switzerland (of which 14 are pedagogical) and 120 technical colleges. Education in them is designed for 3-4 years.

Academic education

Academic education in Switzerland is available only at universities. They are mostly state-owned in the country. There are two federal universities, 10 cantonal universities, several private ones, and 2 institutes of technology. Education at the university lasts from four to six years. But in connection with the adaptation of Switzerland's education to the Bologna system, most universities have a bachelor's degree (three years) and a master's degree (one and a half to two years). After receiving a master's degree, they study for an additional three years in order to obtain a Ph.D. The academic year consists of two semesters: winter (October to March) and summer (April to July).

Photo gallery: popular Swiss universities for study

First-class economists are trained at the University of Lausanne The Metropolitan University specializes in teaching law, medicine and philology The University of Zurich is the largest in the country. He is known for the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Basel, the oldest in Switzerland

Universities in Switzerland - a brief description

The oldest university in Switzerland is located in Basel. It was founded in 1460. And the largest academic university in the country is the University of Zurich. 25 thousand students study here at the same time. It has several faculties, and the largest and most popular is the philosophical one. More than half of the students at the University of Zurich attend this faculty. They also teach natural sciences, medicine, economics, theology, veterinary medicine, and law. The prestigious Higher Technical School operates at the University of Zurich, where they study architecture, management, mathematics, and social sciences.

Video: student feedback on studying at the University of Geneva

Other popular universities and destinations

The universities of Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel and Friborg are also popular. The University of Geneva is known for teaching law, medicine and Russian literature. Lausanne trains criminologists, lawyers, biologists, theologians, pharmacologists, and psychologists. And the University of Bern is famous for its faculties of political science, physics, astronomy and statistics. Assessing the quality of education in Swiss universities, experts say that economics is best taught in St. Gallen and Lausanne, banking - in Basel and Zurich, law in Fribourg and Neufchâtel, and philology in Geneva.

What are the prospects for Russians to get an education in Switzerland?

Training in Swiss university available not only for citizens, but also for foreign students. And for the latter, it is one of the cheapest in Europe. Of the 245 thousand students, more than 47 thousand are foreigners, and their number is constantly growing. Switzerland is one of the first European countries to introduce exchange programs for students. It is easier for foreigners to enter an applied university than a university. Therefore, Russians who wish to study at Swiss academic universities often choose to study at vocational college, business school or applied university.

Video: feedback on studies and practice at the university of hotel management in Switzerland

What do the Russians choose

For Russians, the most popular universities are professional, technical, and business schools, where they teach tourism, hotel and restaurant management, banking, and finance. Such an education is not only prestigious, but also capable of further providing good career. After all, Switzerland is a benchmark in the field of tourism and hotel business, especially in mountain resorts. And banking in this country is so well developed that any employer will not refuse a graduate of a specialized Swiss college or business school, because they train the best specialists in the world. Students from Russia also go to Switzerland to study art, design, economics and sociology.

The main thing is the language

Teaching in different cantons is conducted in the official language this region so this should be taken into account when applying. But if a student lacks knowledge of the language, he can attend additional courses that will help him "catch up" with his classmates. It is easiest for people from Russia or the CIS countries to enter French-speaking universities in Geneva, Lausanne or Neufchâtel. They go there immediately after graduating from high school. To do this, you need to provide a high school diploma with a high grade and a certificate of knowledge of French (DALF). There are no exams for these universities, as well as a competition. All applicants who meet the requirements are accepted.

What do universities want?

German-speaking universities require foreign students to have already studied for two years in their own country. For foreign applicants you will also have to pass a single exam of five subjects (three mandatory, and two at the choice of the university). This exam is also required by Italian-speaking and some French-speaking universities. It is rented once a year - in autumn, in September-October in the city of Friborg. There are special courses for foreigners. They help applicants prepare for this exam. Courses last 33 weeks. Language tests for those who do not have certificates are also taken there. And in some applied universities - for example, tourism, business, management - they teach in English. Therefore, to enter there, you need to pass an English proficiency test (mainly TOEFL) along with a certificate. By the way, the number of study programs in English is increasing in Switzerland every year. In addition, universities may introduce competitive examinations for particularly popular programs.

If you have completed less than 2 courses (in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine - in general, not in european university), for admission to the Swiss. The university will have to take the Friborg exam. It consists of 5 subjects, three of them are compulsory (foreign language, mathematics, history), two are offered to choose from. Everything is in a foreign language (German, French - depends on the university, canton). Therein lies the difficulty. My friend specially went to Friborg for preparatory courses in order to enter the University of Zurich.

http://forum.ruswiss.ch/topic/20110-education-in-switzerland/page-3

Stages of admission

Despite regional or typical features, the admission of a Russian student to any Swiss university consists of the following stages:

1. Registration for a selected course or program through an electronic application.
2. Payment of the registration fee (the amount is returned if the applicant is accepted).
3. Submission of the following documents to the selected university:
   • original or certified copy of the certificate and / or diploma with grades;
   • if the applicant has already studied in Russian university, then he sends syllabus and a list of subjects that he studied (in the language in which education takes place at the university). The number of academic hours for each subject is also indicated;
   • a short autobiography and two photographs 30 x 40 mm;
   • two letters of recommendation signed by officials;
   • motivation letter;
   • confirmation of solvency (in most cases, this is a certificate of having a bank account for at least 20 thousand dollars or a guarantee to pay the required amount for tuition and living expenses).

There is always detailed information about other documents, as well as in what form and in what time frame they are submitted on the website of the chosen university. Then it remains to pass a language test and / or an exam for foreigners in Friborg, take out insurance and get a study visa.

Cost of education

Since Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries Europe, it is believed that studying there is very expensive. But this is only true if the student chooses a private university, hospitality college or business school. There, training can cost from 20 to 75 thousand dollars a year. In public educational institutions - universities and colleges - Swiss citizens study for free. Legally foreign students, including those from Russia, also study for free. They just give from 500 to a thousand francs (320-640 dollars) per semester for minimal contributions. This is not very much, considering the expensive country to study in. The rest - up to 95% - is paid by the state.

Opportunity to work

Switzerland enables young people from other countries studying at its universities to officially work from the second year of study. Therefore, students are issued a special residence permit (Permis B). In addition, it is necessary to issue a permit for part-time employment in the rector's office. The issuance of such a permit does not depend on the student's academic performance. The main condition is that part-time work does not interfere with learning. The number of working hours varies from canton to canton. In general, it should not exceed 15 hours per week during the semester. You can work full time during holidays. Many students earn extra money in the universities themselves - in departments, help professors write books or conduct research, and so on. If students do not study at universities, but at professional universities or business schools, then there are many paid internship programs. In this case, the university itself selects the job.

What grants and scholarships are available

The country provides grants for studying in Switzerland only to students from EU countries. For others, there are government scholarships, but their number is negligible. So, for studying at Swiss universities for citizens of the countries of Central and of Eastern Europe 30-40 scholarships are allocated. Basically, they go to excellent students. There are also scholarships for foreigners who already have higher education, but want to study in graduate school state university countries. The amount of such a scholarship is about 1700 dollars, it is paid for 9 months (academic year). 8 special scholarships per year are for undergraduate or graduate students in economics. They are paid by the International Student Association project to support those who study economics.

Additional Scholarships

Some scholarships, such as those for Masters in Art and Music, are provided by the Swiss government for students from countries with which mutual agreements have been concluded (Russia is one of them). They cover all tuition and living expenses. With this scholarship, you do not need to provide a bank account certificate. In addition, each year, Swiss universities allocate an average of 5-10 scholarships of 1,600 francs for international students to study in various fields. master's programs. Scholarships for Russian students are often provided by the Swiss embassy in Russia.

I was at the Swiss Language Club in Leysin. The school is located in a small, very pretty town in the mountains. The views are simply breathtaking. The air and nature are amazing. Every night before going to bed, I opened the window and enjoyed the birds singing and the starry sky. I lived in a single room with a private bathroom. It was very comfortable and clean. We were fed very well. The freshest dairy products, lots of fruits and vegetables. Food for every taste and very varied.

Igor

http://www.edutravel.ru/otzyvy_o_poluchenii_obrazovanija_v_shvejcarii.php

How students live in Switzerland

The system of higher education in Switzerland differs from the rest of Europe also in that some universities not only accommodate students on campuses, but also provide food, books, and, if possible, even inexpensive clothing. It is believed that in this way students will be focused on their studies, and not on looking for a part-time job. It depends on the university itself, as well as on its agreement with the applicant. It may include renting an apartment or a room in a student house. To live in Switzerland, taking into account the cost of food, transport and personal needs, students will need an average of one and a half to 2.5 thousand Swiss francs per month. There is no time for foreign students to have fun and live life in Switzerland. The study is very difficult, the requirements are high. Therefore, almost all of their time is spent sitting in libraries and working part-time during the holidays. In addition, after the first and second courses, students pass very difficult exams, after which up to half of the students are eliminated.

After each course, a mandatory practice of 4-6 months in hotels. In Switzerland workplace finds BHMS for internship and salary during the internship is 2150 francs - in rubles it turns out about 70 thousand per month. Minus taxes, insurance and housing - I got 1,500 francs a month. Practice is found for all students and these practices are quite complicated - this is Europe. They want YOU to work during practice! After all, after all, and you are paid money for this, so sometimes after a hard day's work, when you come home, you only had the strength to crawl to bed and go to bed. But I liked it and enjoyed it.

Kartuzov Anton

http://www.ubo.ru/articles/?cat=101&pub=3413

Table: pros and cons of studying in Switzerland

Stability, as well as the features of its democracy and political structure, were also reflected in Swiss education. Universities have broad autonomy and develop their own study programs. At the same time, the government of the country and local authorities, despite the economic crises, generously finance universities, gymnasiums, schools and kindergartens. In any canton, no matter what features in education it differs, excellent teachers and teachers await a schoolchild or student. Graduates of Swiss universities, technical colleges and business schools speak several European languages, receive prestigious diplomas and become professionals who will be gladly hired in any country. Yes, for this you will have to study by the sweat of your brow, pore over books and not get out of libraries. Means should be found to live and eat, or a stipend should be obtained. But the prospect of leaving the walls of the university as a sought-after specialist with the opportunity to live and work safely in Europe is worth it.