The Education System in Switzerland

Switzerland claims to have one of the world's best education systems. Cantons are responsible for educational services (kindergarten, schools, universities) and most children go to public schools. Public schools include Kindergarten, Volksschule ("elementary school"), Gymnasium ("secondary school") and Universitäten ("universities").

After elementary school, kids may either choose to go to secondary school or to start an apprenticeship. In the later case, after finishing the apprenticeship, again they have the choice of attending a secondary school or a Fachhochschule ("technical college").

There are eleven universities in Switzerland, nine are run by cantons, two are run by the confederation. To be able to attend an university, a student must have finished a Gymnasium and own a graduation diploma. The study at an university usually lasts four and a half years.