Educational pathways

Vocational education and training (= apprenticeship) is the most common form of vocational training for young people in Switzerland. It is a mixture of theory and professional practice. The vocational qualification is recognised throughout Switzerland.

The apprenticeship is exciting and varied because it combines school and work practice. During the training, the apprentices already receive an income. 

The young people can choose from around 230 professions. They choose an apprenticeship on their own.

After completing the apprenticeship, there are a wide range of further training opportunities at colleges of higher education, private institutions and universities of applied sciences.

Leaflet available in different languages: "What is an apprenticeship?" new window

If you like going to school and still want to learn a lot, you can go to a Mittelschule  (secondary level II). Mittelschulen offer different courses that lead to a baccalaureate or a technical or vocational baccalaureate. 

The Mittelschulen lead to university entrance qualification and allow admission to all Swiss universities and colleges without taking an examination.

In the Canton of St.Gallen, the following schools can be completed after lower Sekundarstufe I  :

• Kantonsschule am Burggraben St.Gallen new window
• Kantonsschule am Brühl St.Gallen new window
• Heerbrugg Cantonal School new window
• Sargans Cantonal School new window
• Wattwil Cantonal School new window
• Wil Cantonal School new window

The schools are spread throughout the canton. There are other fee-paying schools for higher education in the Canton of St.Gallen:

• Interstate Baccalaureate School for Adults ISME in St.Gallen and Sargans new window
• Non-State Grammar School Friedberg, Gossau new window

The Canton of St.Gallen also has the patronage of the Swiss School of Rome. 

After successfully completing a baccalaureate or a vocational baccalaureate, it is possible to study at a university or university of applied sciences, depending on the degree.

If you would like to complete a university degree with a foreign baccalaureate certificate , you can obtain information on the equivalence of your degree from Swissuniversities/ Swiss Enic. There you can check whether your secondary-school leaving certificate meets the general admission requirements for Swiss universities. (www.enic.ch > admission to the degree programme).

The Swiss higher education landscape offers a wide range of study opportunities at all levels (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate). There are different types of higher education institutions:

• University Colleges (UH)
• Universities of Applied Sciences (FH)
• Universities of Teacher Education (PH)

Depending on the degree programme, the lessons are held in different languages: German, French, Italian or English.

At the Career, Study and Career Counselling Service (www.berufsberatung.sg.ch new window) you can find out more about possible career paths, fields of study, vocational training or retraining. 

In the Career Information Centres (BIZ) you will find documents on all professions, fields of study and career topics. Use the eBIZ new window or the information platform Berufsberatung.ch new window from the comfort of your own home with helpful information in different languages.
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Consultation

You can contact the cantonal career, study and career counselling service at the Career Information Centre (BIZ) new window for a free consultation . 

Costs may be incurred for training after compulsory schooling. These depend on:

• the type of education (free or tuition fees)
• the place of training (near or in another canton)

You can apply for financial support from the Canton of St.Gallen - a so-called scholarship.

A Brückenangebot lasts 1 year and is for adolescents and young adults who would like to complete basic vocational training leading to the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) or the Federal Vocational Certificate (EBA) after completing compulsory schooling.

There are offers such as: 

• Pre-apprenticeship
• Integration course
• Vocational preparation year
• Design preparatory course for young people

The targeted teaching, individual support and initial experience in a professional internship prepare the participants well for their future apprenticeship.

Young people with the following residence permit are allowed to attend a Brückenangebot :

• Permit B (residence permit / recognized refugees)
• C permit (settlement permit)
• F permit (provisionally admitted refugees / provisionally admitted persons)
• Status S

The Integration Pre-Apprenticeship+ (InVol+) helps you prepare for an apprenticeship and lasts one school year. Participants attend the school for 1-2 days per week, during which language skills and professional skills are promoted, and spend 3-4 days per week in the internship.

The InVol+ is aimed at:

• Provisionally admitted persons
• recognised refugees
• Immigrants from EU/EFTA countries
• Immigrants from third countries
• Persons with protection status S