Switzerland's educational system can be subdivided into the nursery school stage, the stage of compulsory schooling, the period after compulsory schooling (secondary level II), vocational education, higher education and further and continuing education for adults.

Nursery school age (4-6 years of age)

Before starting compulsory schooling, every child can attend kindergarten for one or two years.

Compulsory schooling (6-15 years of age)

Attendance at primary and secondary school is mandatory and free of charge for the whole population (including foreign nationals). Compulsory schooling lasts for nine years, and children undertake it between the ages of 6/7 and 15/16 years.

Post-compulsory schooling (15 years of age and older)

In compulsory schooling, the pupil must choose between various different educational options. Vocational education enables the student to acquire practical knowledge and skills that allow him/her to proceed directly to a vocational activity. The various educational routes at secondary level II - (colleges of further education (Mittelschulen) - prepare the student to proceed to specific courses of training (nursing, social work, the arts, the services sector, etc.) or to a cantonal university or a university of applied sciences.

Adult education and further education

Today the opportunities in the field of adult education and further education are many and diverse: federal certificate of aptitude, federal specialist qualifications and master craftsman diplomas. Such education can likewise be continued at the cantonal universities or a university of applied sciences.
The strong federal tradition of Switzerland is reflected in its educational system. Primary and secondary education are essentially the responsibility of each canton (State), while responsibility for higher education is shared between the cantons and the Confederation. This has resulted in pronounced diversity in the higher education system characterized by 12 traditional Universities , plus seven regional Universities of Applied Sciences a new type of specialized university, whose focus is on education for professional practice.