HOW DOES THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WORK IN SWITZERLAND, AND HOW IT CAN BE COMPARED WITH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS?
Swiss schools follow regional curricula, focusing on local traditions and culture. In contrast, international schools include broader curriculums. At ISCS-The British School of Zug we deliver the globally recognised Cambridge International British Curriculum, combining academic rigor with critical thinking and preparing students for success worldwide.
At ISCS, The British School of Zug, we follow a British International Education through the Cambridge International Curriculum. As a school located in Switzerland, it is key to understand the comparison with the Swiss Education system, which is as follows:
Early Years in the British System goes from 3 to 5 years old. The equivalent in the Swiss system is Vorschule, divided into Kindergarten 1 and Kindergarten 2. After Early Years, our students access Primary School, which ranges from Year 1 to Year 6. This is the equivalent to Primarschule in the Swiss system, which starts in Year 2.
We divide Secondary School into Middle and High Schools. Our Middle School goes from Year 7 to Year 9, whereas High School goes from Year 10 to Year 13, after which students are ready to go to university. Compared to the Swiss system, Primarschule finishes in our Year 7. From Year 8 to Year 10 is Sekundarschule 1, whereas the last three school years correspond to Sekundarschule 2 (the last three years of Swiss Gymnasium). The vocational alternative to the academic Gymnasium is the Fachmittelschule.
The following slide summarises the aforementioned information.
WHAT ARE THE LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN SWITZERLAND?
In Swiss schools, depending on the Canton where they are located, they teach in German, French, or Italian, which can challenge non-native speakers. ISCS uses English as the primary language, whereas German is a core subject to facilitate the integration into the local culture and with different levels of instruction where every student can make progress, and with additional language programs of French and Spanish fostering broader communication skills.
HOW CAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS HELP WITH INTEGRATION OF FAMILIES IN SWITZERLAND AS WELL AS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE?
Swiss schools provide deep cultural immersion, whereas international schools give a more global perspective for future. ISCS promote both points. We offer a multicultural environment with students from diverse nationalities, fostering global perspectives and collaboration. At the same time, our integration programme and clubs allow students to collaborate in different projects with students from local schools, as well as with local institutions. This makes the integration process of our students and families easier.
HOW CAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS HELP WITH INTEGRATION OF FAMILIES IN SWITZERLAND AS WELL AS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE?
Swiss schools provide deep cultural immersion, whereas international schools give a more global perspective for future. ISCS promote both points. We offer a multicultural environment with students from diverse nationalities, fostering global perspectives and collaboration. At the same time, our integration programme and clubs allow students to collaborate in different projects with students from local schools, as well as with local institutions. This makes the integration process of our students and families easier.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF CHOOSING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN SWITZERLAND?
Access to Swiss and international universities
In the Swiss system, only some students are accepted in Sekundarschule 2. Those who do not reach a minimum academic standard are offered to continue with vocational qualifications (Fachmittelschule). In comparison, the Swiss system focuses more on vocational education and training (mainly for students who are not accepted in the last three years of gymnasium), whereas the UK system focuses more on academic achievement.
Only 25-30% of student students in local schools in Switzerland can access the Swiss Gymnasium and complete the Matura in order to go to the university. The rest of students are typically sent to different vocational schools. However, in ISCS, students complete the worldwide recognised Cambridge IGCSE, AS and A level qualifications. With them, our students have different advantages:
- In general, students need 5 IGCSE and 3 A levels to access universities, both internationally and in Switzerland. This lower number of subjects still allow students to have a complete education for the future, with a higher specialisation and better preparation for their future careers. Students can also select subjects that are not available in other education systems.
- The organisation of the curriculum promotes the addition of other important enrichment opportunities, like volunteering and working experiences, or the participation in different projects available at ISCS like Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or the Model United Nations Programme.
- The flexibility of the system allows students to have more opportunities to complete their studies and apply to universities in Switzerland and worldwide.
Personalised Learning and Support
Swiss schools focus on vocational pathways, while ISCS prioritises small class sizes and tailored learning, enabling students to achieve both academic and personal growth.
Flexibility and Mobility
The localised nature of Swiss education can make transitions difficult for mobile families. ISCS ensures academic continuity through its internationally recognised curriculum, supporting smooth transitions for students.
HOW TO APPLY TO AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN SWITZERLAND?
Please contact our Admissions Office for information on the application and admission process at ISCS.