For foreign students, admission to schools abroad will be the first step to obtaining education at world leading colleges, top universities and ranking institutes, because Switzerland is a country whose educational standards are a symbol of excellent education around the world! So that the process of collecting and preparing documents does not give a headache to parents and students, it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the conditions for entering Swiss schools in advance. Despite some differences and features of admission, which may vary depending on the chosen school, there are TOP-5 significant requirements that you need to know for successful admission to Swiss schools.
TOP-5 most important nuances for admission to schools in Switzerland
1. The time limit. One of the most important points for foreign students who dream of studying abroad, which is worth paying attention to, is the deadline for submitting documents. Traditionally, applying to schools in Switzerland is at least a year before the start of education. It is also worth considering the time costs for obtaining a visa, which can take up to 2 months, and the passing of international language tests, which are mandatory for foreign applicants.
2. The choice of educational institution. Switzerland offers a huge number of primary and secondary education programs in public and private schools. When choosing a place of study, you should pay attention to the academic component of the course (which subjects and in what quantity are studied), the language of instruction (since Switzerland has the opportunity to receive education in English, German and French), the ranking of the educational institution, and the feedback of parents and students. It is worth noting that most private schools in Switzerland are focused on students from abroad, which allows students to feel comfortable in a multinational environment and faster to go through the adaptation period.
3. The level of academic and language education of students. The requirements for foreign applicants in Switzerland depend on the age of the child - the older the child, the more knowledge he must have in order to continue his studies abroad. Students over 13 years of age will most likely need an extra year of education to catch up with peers in knowledge of academic disciplines. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that some prestigious schools in Switzerland take students to primary schools without knowledge of a foreign language. Additional individual language classes are held for them, allowing you to learn a language in a short time and quickly adapt to a new environment.
4. The cost of education. Education in Switzerland is one of the most expensive in the world. The average cost of schooling starts from 35,000 - 45,000 CHF per year. The average price per student per year is 60,000 - 70,000 CHF. In addition, it is worth considering additional items of expenses: air tickets, visa processing, translation of documents, bank expenses, additional extracurricular activities, excursions and pocket expenses.
5. Age of study. In schools in Switzerland there is no age limit for foreign applicants. On the contrary, it will be easier and more interesting for students who have entered the lower grades of education.
Instructions for admission to popular schools in Switzerland
Consider the main steps for successful admission:
1. The first thing that preparation for admission begins with is choosing the right educational institution and study program. You can make learning interesting for your child by paying attention to his interests and dreams, in accordance with which it is worth choosing the right course.
2. After you have decided on the school and the course of study, you need to check the information on the list of documents and the deadlines for their submission for foreign students. So, it is worth paying attention to whether the Swiss school accepts a diploma of education (if there is one), whether it is necessary to pass additional exams for knowledge of academic disciplines and pass an interview.
3. You should study the information about the language requirements and get the necessary certificates in advance - DALF, DELF (French), Goethe Institute exams, DSH (German), TOEFL or IELTS (English).
4. Having collected the necessary list of documents, submit documents to the selected school at the stated deadlines.
5. Pay for the selected educational program, apply for medical insurance and get a student visa.
In addition, SMAPSE specialists will be happy to help you choose the right educational program and advise on all emerging issues.
Summer linguistic camp as a first step to entering a foreign school
A summer language school for students is a great chance to get acquainted with the traditions of the country, immerse yourself in the educational atmosphere of Switzerland and find out the requirements for students. In addition, students will be able to significantly increase their language proficiency, make new friends and spend unforgettable adventure vacations.
Camps in Switzerland for students offer several language programs for foreigners:
- Sports
- Scientific
- Creative
- Educational.
For foreign students who want to go to Swiss schools, educational courses with English, French and German languages will be an excellent preparation for entering a foreign school, which allows not only to develop their basic language skills, but also significantly increase academic education.
