Educational pathways

Basic 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 professional qualification is recognised throughout Switzerland. 

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

Young people can choose from around 230 professions. You choose an apprenticeship on your 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.

Fact sheet available in different languages: "What is an apprenticeship?"

If you like to go to school and still want to learn a lot, you can go to a Mittelschule   (upper secondary level). Mittelschulen offer a variety of courses leading to a baccalaureate or a technical or vocational baccalaureate.

The Mittelschulen lead to the university entrance qualification and enable examination-free admission to all Swiss universities and colleges.

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

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

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
• Non-state grammar school Friedberg, Gossau

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

After successfully completing a high school diploma 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 school-leaving certificate meets the general admission requirements for Swiss universities. (www.enic.ch > admission to studies).

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:

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

Classes are held in different languages depending on the course of study: German, French, Italian or English.

At Career Counselling, you can find out more about possible career paths, professional development and retraining.

Use the information platform Berufsberatung.ch with helpful information in different languages.

Consultation

You can contact the cantonal vocational, study and career counselling service at the Career Information Centre (BIZ) 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 (nearby 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 after compulsory schooling in the form of a Federal Certificate of Proficiency (EFZ) or the Federal Vocational Certificate (EBA).

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 vocational 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)
• Permit C (Settlement Permit)
• Permit F (temporarily admitted refugees / temporarily admitted persons)
• Status S

The Integration Pre-Apprenticeship+ (InVol+) helps you to prepare for an apprenticeship and lasts one school year. Participants attend the school during 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:

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