Organisation

The universities of teacher education offer degree courses on 2 levels: the first level ends with the Bachelor's degree and a vocational qualification (for the pre-school / primary level, for speech and language therapy, or for psychomotor therapy) and the second with the Master's degree (for the lower secondary level or for special needs education). The duration of the studies depends on the selected course of study.

Study achievements are measured in accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). ECTS is a system for the accreditation, transfer and accumulation of study achievements, recognised Europe-wide. The ECTS points reflect the quantitative workload. Each ECTS point represents 25 to 30 working hours. A complete academic year is equivalent to around 60 ECTS points. 180 ECTS points are required to obtain a Bachelor's degree; 90 to 120 ECTS points are required for a Master's degree.

The academic year is split into 2 semesters. Since 2007, the autumn semester begins in week 38 and the spring semester in week 8 of the calendar year. Each semester lasts at least 16 weeks.

Teaching for the pre-school and primary levels

The studies comprise a minimum of 180 ECTS points and lasts 3 years if studied full-time. Practical training is to be performed to the extent of some 36 - 54 ECTS points.

Depending on the course of study, a recognised teaching qualification is awarded for, either the pre-school level, the primary level, or both. The teaching qualification (including the school years and subjects to which the qualification applies) is specified on the certificate in accordance with the regulations on the recognition of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK). The title "Bachelor of Arts" is awarded at the same time. The Master course in special needs education (with vocational qualification in early childhood special needs education or scholastic special needs education) represents a possibility for further study.

Degrees / titles

Teaching for the lower secondary level

The studies comprise a Bachelor-Master course and amount to 270-300 ECTS points. The studies last 4½ to 5 years. The discipline-related study and subject-related didactics amounts to a minimum of 120 ECTS points; for the educational science component there are at least 36 ECTS points and for the practical training at least 48 ECTS points to be earned. Depending on the university of teacher education / educational institution, the studies can be integrated (i.e. discipline-related studies and teaching-related studies in parallel) or completed consecutively (teaching-related studies after the discipline-related studies). Often, the studies take place at both a cantonal university / Federal Institute of Technology or university of applied sciences and at a university of teacher education / teacher education institution. In such cases, the discipline-related studies are completed at the cantonal university / Federal Institute of Technology or university of applied sciences.

The studies end with a teaching qualification for the lower secondary level. The range of subjects in which the teacher is qualified to teach is listed on the certificate. At some institutions, it is possible to complete a combined study of course, which leads to a qualification for the lower secondary level and for matura school. The title "Master of Arts" or "Master of Science" is awarded at the same time.

Degrees / titles

Teaching for matura schools

The course in teaching at matura schools is completed either in parallel to, or after, the Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in a specific discipline of study at a cantonal university / Federal Institute of Technology or (only for music and visual arts) at a university of applied sciences. The teaching-related courses amount to 60 ECTS points, which corresponds to a 1-year full-time study course, whereby at least 10 ECTS points (per subject to be taught) are to apply to subject-related didactics, 15 ECTS points to educational science and 15 ECTS points to practical training.

The studies end with a teaching qualification for matura schools. The range of subjects which the teacher is qualified to teach is listed on the certificate. At some institutions, it is possible to complete a combined course, which leads to a qualification for the lower secondary level and for matura school.

Degrees / titles

Courses of study in special needs education: specialisation in early childhood special needs education and scholastic special needs education

The courses of study in special needs education (childhood special needs education and scholastic special needs education) are Master courses which amount to 90-120 ECTS points. The practical training comprises 20 ECTS points. A recognised qualification in special needs education with specification of the selected area of specialisation (early childhood special needs education or scholastic special needs education) is awarded. A Master's degree is obtained at the same time.

Degrees / titles

Courses of study in speech and language therapy and psychomotor therapy

The courses in speech and language therapy and psychomotor therapy are generally Bachelor courses (some educational institutions offer longer courses of study). Each of the courses comprises 180 ECTS points, which corresponds to 3 years of full-time study. 45 to 63 ECTS points are allocated to practical training, which is an integral component of the course. A recognised qualification in speech and language therapy or psychomotor therapy is awarded. A Bachelor's degree is obtained at the same time.

Degrees / titles