This page compares the education systems of Turkey and Switzerland.
Education System Overview
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| System Type | Public-private mix; governance is centralized, with national education policy, curricula and major regulations administered primarily through the Ministry of National Education. Provincial and district directorates implement national policies locally, while private schools operate under ministry supervision. | Public/private mix with a federal, decentralized governance model. The 26 cantons hold primary responsibility for compulsory education, while the Confederation and cantons share responsibilities in vocational education, higher education and other post-compulsory sectors. [EDK] |
| Governing Body | Ministry of National Education (MEB) for pre-primary, primary and secondary education, and the Council of Higher Education (CoHE / YÖK) for higher education. The Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK) oversees higher education quality assurance and accreditation. | 26 cantonal education authorities; the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK); and, at federal level, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research and the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). [EDK] |
| Government Expenditure on Education (% of GDP) | 3.0% of GDP in 2023, representing government expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions, based on the OECD's initial-funds measure. Private expenditure on these institutions accounted for a further 0.6% of GDP. Under the OECD's broader government expenditure measure, which includes spending both inside and outside educational institutions, the public share was 3.2% of GDP in 2023. These measures have different coverage and should not be treated as interchangeable. [OECD] | 4.9% of GDP in 2022, the latest available value in the World Bank/UNESCO UIS government-expenditure series. The separate OECD education-finance series reports 4.4% of GDP in 2023 for government expenditure on primary through tertiary education; the two indicators have different coverage. [World Bank] [OECD] |
Education Structure & Compulsory Schooling
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Age Range | Approximately age 6 to age 18, covering 12 years of compulsory education. Entry to first grade normally occurs in the calendar year when a child reaches the prescribed school-entry age, with provisions for early entry or postponement under applicable regulations. The usual theoretical school-age groups are 6–9 for primary, 10–13 for lower secondary and 14–17 for upper secondary education. | Compulsory education generally begins at about age 4 and continues to about age 15. Starting rules and transition dates can vary by canton. [EDK] |
| Total Compulsory Duration (Years) | 12 years, divided into three consecutive four-year stages under the system introduced in 2012. | 11 years of compulsory education. [EDK] |
| Pre-primary Education (ECE) Access | Optional; the net enrollment rate for children aged 3–5 was 49.78% in 2025/26, according to MEB's education-level enrollment statistics. The net enrollment rate for five-year-olds attending pre-primary education was 82.69%. The separate age-group participation measure, which can include children enrolled at another educational level, was 84.14% for five-year-olds. Pre-primary provision includes public and private kindergartens and nursery classes attached to schools. [MEB] | In most cantons, the first two years of compulsory education are kindergarten or the first learning cycle. OECD data show that 50.2% of children aged 3–5 were enrolled in ISCED 0 early childhood education in 2024. Participation varies sharply by age: only 2.2% of three-year-olds were enrolled in ISCED 0, while participation becomes much more widespread as children reach compulsory-school age. [OECD] |
| Primary + Secondary Education Structure (Years) | 4 + 4 + 4: four years of primary education (grades 1–4), four years of lower secondary education (grades 5–8) and four years of upper secondary education (grades 9–12). Upper secondary pathways include general academic, vocational and technical, and Anatolian imam hatip schools. Some upper secondary programmes also have a preparatory language year. | 2 + 6 + 3 within compulsory education: two years of kindergarten or the first learning cycle, six additional primary years and three years of lower secondary education. Upper-secondary education follows as a post-compulsory route, generally lasting 3–4 years. [EDK] |
| Vocational vs. General Upper Secondary Split (%) | In 2025/26, approximately 33.1% vocational and technical / 66.9% other upper secondary, calculated from MEB's reported enrollment totals of 1,736,473 vocational and technical students out of 5,247,752 upper-secondary students. The remaining students comprised 3,046,666 in general secondary education and 464,613 in Anatolian imam hatip high schools. This three-category national classification is not directly equivalent to the OECD's general-versus-vocational ISCED classification. MEB separately reported a 39.51% vocational and technical education share under its narrower sector reporting measure. [MEB] | Approximately 60.7% vocational / 39.3% general among upper-secondary students in 2024. Vocational education and training remains the larger upper-secondary route, with apprenticeships accounting for most vocational participation. [OECD] |
Academic Calendar & Instruction Time
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Year Start (Typical Month) | September. The 2026/27 school year began on 14 September 2026, following orientation activities for selected entry grades on 7–11 September. [MEB] | Typically August, although the exact opening date varies by canton and local school calendar. |
| Academic Year End (Typical Month) | June. The 2026/27 school year is scheduled to end on 25 June 2027. [MEB] | Typically June or July, depending on the canton. |
| Instruction Weeks per Year | Approximately 36 weeks, based on the statutory minimum of 180 school working days. The academic year is divided into two semesters, each with a scheduled mid-term break. | Usually about 38–39 weeks across compulsory education in most cantons. Individual cantonal calendars and school-level requirements may differ. [EDK] |
| Instruction Days per Year | 180 school working days minimum under the applicable school calendar rules. The national working calendar for 2026/27 provides 180.5 working days, comprising 88.5 in the first semester and 92 in the second. This count includes specified half-days and national commemorative days when students participate in school ceremonies; it is not a count of full classroom-instruction days alone. [MEB] | — |
Grading System
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Primary/Secondary Grading Scale | A 0–100 scale is commonly used in secondary education, with 50 generally representing the minimum passing mark for an individual subject under standard assessment rules. Grade promotion and graduation also depend on other regulatory conditions, including overall performance and the number of failed subjects. Primary-level assessment incorporates developmental and competency-based evaluation, especially in early grades. | A 1–6 scale is widely used, with 6 as the highest mark and 4 generally representing a passing result. Assessment and reporting rules vary by canton and school level. |
| Higher Education Grading Scale | Commonly 0–100 and/or 4.0 GPA systems, depending on the institution. Universities establish their own grading conversion and passing requirements within national higher education regulations. ECTS credits are used for academic workload and credit recognition, with 60 ECTS normally representing one full-time academic year. | Commonly 1.0–6.0, with 4.0 generally the minimum passing mark and 6.0 the highest grade. Individual institutions determine detailed assessment rules. [ETH Zurich] |
Language of Instruction
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Instruction Languages (K–12) | Turkish is the principal language of instruction in public primary and secondary schools. Authorized schools may offer foreign-language preparatory programmes or deliver permitted subjects in another language, particularly English. | German, French, Italian or Romansh, depending on the language region and canton. Students normally also study another national language and English during compulsory education. [EDK] |
| Other Official / Minority Instruction Languages (K–12) | Turkish is the only nationwide official language. Greek and Armenian are used in relevant recognized minority schools alongside Turkish. Jewish minority schools also operate within the legal arrangements protecting minority education. Other living languages and dialects, including Kurdish varieties, may be offered through approved elective courses; these electives do not establish additional nationwide official languages of instruction. [MEB Eurydice] | Romansh is used in parts of Graubünden, while bilingual German/French and other bilingual models operate in selected cantons and schools. |
School Provision & Access (K–12)
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Public School Enrollment Share (K–12, % of Students) | Approximately 91.1% among students enrolled in public or private formal schools in 2025/26, excluding open education enrollment. MEB reported 15,167,794 students in public institutions and 1,485,021 in private institutions. The figures cover pre-primary, primary and secondary education and are therefore broader than a strictly grades 1–12 comparison. [MEB] | There is no single public-school share that applies equally across all K–12 levels. At compulsory level, about 95% of pupils attend public schools. At upper-secondary level, public institutions educate roughly five-sixths of students. [EDK] |
| Public School Tuition Fee (Annual, Local Currency) | TRY 0 compulsory tuition for public primary and secondary education. Public schools provide tuition-free compulsory education, with state-funded textbooks. Certain optional services, meals, transportation arrangements or extracurricular activities may involve separate costs depending on eligibility and provision. | CHF 0; public compulsory education is free of charge. Cantonal and municipal authorities fund the standard provision, although families may still pay for some optional activities or personal expenses. [EDK] |
| Public Schools Nationwide Availability | Yes. Public primary and secondary schools operate throughout Türkiye's 81 provinces, including urban and rural areas. In 2025/26, MEB recorded 59,914 public schools across pre-primary, primary and secondary education. Transported education arrangements support access for eligible students in settlements without a suitable local school. [MEB] | Yes. Cantons and municipalities provide public compulsory education throughout Switzerland, with local organization reflecting the country's cantonal system. [EDK] |
| Private School Enrollment Share (K–12, % of Students) | Approximately 8.9% among students enrolled in public or private formal schools in 2025/26, excluding open education institutions. MEB reported 1,485,021 private-school students and 15,094 private schools across pre-primary, primary and secondary education. These figures include private preschool provision and should not be interpreted as the private-school share of grades 1–12 alone. [MEB] | Approximately 5% at compulsory level. At upper-secondary level, private institutions educate about one-sixth of students. These level-specific shares should not be treated as a single weighted K–12 percentage. [FSO] |
| Private Schools (Geographic Concentration) | Nationwide, with greater concentration in major metropolitan areas, particularly Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. Private schools also operate in provincial centers and smaller cities. The distribution varies by educational level, with private preschool provision accounting for a sizeable part of the private-school sector. | Private schools are more common in densely populated areas. International and boarding schools are particularly visible around Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne and Basel and in established boarding-school locations. [FSO] |
International Schools (K–12)
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Number of International Schools (Total) | 261 international private educational institutions under MEB's official classification in 2023/24, the reference year for the published figure. These institutions are legally distinguished from foreign schools and minority schools; the former international-school category is intended for foreign-national students. The count should not be interpreted as the total number of schools offering an international curriculum or the International Baccalaureate. [MEB Eurydice] | — |
| Number of IB World Schools | 130 IB World Schools currently offer at least one International Baccalaureate programme in Türkiye. The IB country directory lists 74 Primary Years Programme (PYP) providers, 20 Middle Years Programme (MYP) providers, 85 Diploma Programme (DP) providers and 1 Career-related Programme (CP) provider. Schools offering multiple programmes are counted once in the overall total. [IB] | 53 IB World Schools currently offer at least one IB programme in Switzerland, according to the International Baccalaureate's country directory. [IB] |
| Main International Programmes Offered | International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International, American and other authorized international curricula, depending on the school's legal status and programme approval. IB Diploma and other international programmes may be offered by Turkish private schools that are not classified as international private educational institutions under national regulations. | International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge and British qualifications, American curricula, French programs and bilingual Swiss programs, depending on the school. |
Resources & Learning Environment (K–12)
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Teacher Qualification (Public Schools) | An eligible bachelor's-level qualification in the relevant teaching field, together with the applicable professional preparation and public recruitment requirements. The teacher recruitment system now includes the MEB-AGS selection process and preparatory education through the National Education Academy for candidates entering the new route. Requirements and transitional provisions depend on the recruitment cycle and applicable regulations. [MEB] | A recognized tertiary teacher-education qualification appropriate to the level taught. Teacher education is provided mainly through universities of teacher education and leads to a recognized teaching diploma, usually alongside a bachelor's or master's degree. OECD reporting for 2023/24 found that 11.5% of teachers in public primary and lower-secondary education did not meet the full qualification criteria for their assigned teaching role; this category can include qualified teachers working outside their certified subject or education level. [EDK] [OECD] |
| Average Class Size (Primary) | Approximately 20.6 students per class in 2023, according to the OECD's internationally comparable class-size measure. Separately, MEB reported approximately 19 students per classroom at primary level in 2025/26. These indicators use different measurement approaches: the OECD class-size figure counts students in teaching groups, while MEB's classroom indicator relates enrollment to physical classrooms. [OECD] [MEB] | Approximately 19 students per class in public primary education (years 3–8). Federal Statistical Office reporting for 2024 places the long-running national average at around 19.1–19.3 pupils per class, with differences between cantons. [FSO] |
| Average Class Size (Lower Secondary) | Approximately 28 students in public schools and 13 students in private schools in 2023, based on OECD class-size data. MEB separately reported approximately 25 students per physical classroom across lower-secondary schools in 2025/26; this is not directly comparable to the OECD measure. [OECD] [MEB] | Approximately 19 students per class in public lower-secondary education. Federal Statistical Office data for 2024 show a stable long-term national average of approximately 18.6–19.0 pupils per class, with cantonal differences. [FSO] |
| Average Class Size (Upper Secondary) | No single nationally comparable OECD class-size figure is reported here across all upper-secondary school types. MEB recorded approximately 21 students per physical classroom in upper-secondary education in 2025/26. This classroom-density indicator should not be interpreted as the average size of an instructional class. [MEB] | — |
System Performance & Learning Outcomes (OECD/PISA)
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| PISA Participation Years | 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2025. Türkiye first participated in PISA in 2003. [OECD] | 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2025. [OECD] |
| PISA 2018 Scores (Mathematics / Reading / Science) | 454 / 466 / 468. [OECD] | 515 / 484 / 495 |
| PISA 2022 Scores (Mathematics / Reading / Science) | 453 / 456 / 476. [OECD] | 508 / 483 / 503 [OECD] |
| PISA 2025 Scores (Mathematics / Reading / Science) | 462 / 472 / 494. Türkiye scored close to the OECD mathematics average of 463, above the reading average of 461 and above the science average. Science was the main assessment domain in PISA 2025. [OECD] | 499 / 470 / 501 [OECD] |
| PISA Performance Trend 2003–2025 | Türkiye has participated in every PISA cycle since 2003. The reported 2025 scores were higher than those in 2022 across all three subjects. Based on the published rounded scores, mathematics increased by 9 points, reading by 16 points and science by 18 points. Compared with 2018, the corresponding changes were +8 points in mathematics, +6 in reading and +26 in science. These are differences between published score averages and should not automatically be interpreted as statistically established changes in every subject. [OECD] | — |
| Strongest Subject Area (PISA 2025) | Science — 494 points, followed by reading at 472 and mathematics at 462. Türkiye also recorded 473 points in computational problem solving, a separately assessed PISA 2025 domain that is not part of the standard mathematics, reading and science score comparison. [OECD] | Science — 501 points, narrowly above mathematics at 499. [OECD] |
| PISA Performance Trend 2000–2025 | — | Between 2022 and 2025, mathematics and reading performance was lower, while science was about the same. Science remained broadly stable between 2015 and 2025, while mathematics and reading declined over that period. The 2025 mathematics and reading scores were the lowest recorded for Switzerland in PISA. Switzerland nevertheless remained above the OECD average in all three subjects, and its computational problem-solving score was 520 in 2025, against an OECD average of 500. [OECD] |
Higher Education System
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Higher Education Institutions (Total) | 208 higher education institutions in the 2025 national institutional count, comprising 129 state universities, 75 foundation universities and 4 foundation vocational schools. The total includes the four separately established foundation vocational schools, which are not universities. [CoHE] | 54 listed entries in the current swissuniversities directory of accredited higher education institutions and other accredited institutions in the higher education sector. The directory comprises 12 universities and federal institutes of technology, 10 universities of applied sciences, 18 teacher-education institutions or units and 14 other institutions. Some entries are affiliated with larger institutions, so this directory count is not identical to the number of independent institutional operators. [swissuniversities] |
| Number of Universities (Research Universities) | 23 designated research universities under YÖK's research university programme. This is a special national designation based on research-related assessment and should not be confused with the total number of universities offering research degrees. [CoHE] | 12 universities: 10 cantonal universities and the two federal institutes of technology, ETH Zurich and EPFL. [swissuniversities] |
| Number of Universities of Applied Sciences / Colleges | No separate university-of-applied-sciences sector equivalent to the classification used in some European countries. Türkiye has vocational schools (meslek yüksekokulları) providing primarily two-year associate degree programmes. Most operate within universities, while 4 foundation vocational schools were listed as separate institutions in the 2025 national count. | 10 universities of applied sciences. The current swissuniversities accreditation directory also lists 18 teacher-education institutions or units separately, including some affiliated with universities of applied sciences. [swissuniversities] |
| Main Institution Types | State universities; foundation universities (non-profit private higher education institutions); foundation vocational schools; and vocational schools operating within universities. Programmes include associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Universities may offer conventional, distance and open education, subject to programme authorization. | Universities and federal institutes of technology, universities of applied sciences, universities of teacher education and other accredited higher-education institutions. Tertiary professional education operates alongside the higher-education sector. |
| Tertiary Enrollment Share by Ownership | — | Approximately 92.5% in public or government-dependent provision / 7.5% in independent private institutions in 2023. Government-dependent private institutions are included with publicly supported provision in this comparison, rather than with independent private institutions. [OECD] |
| English-Taught Degree Programmes (Bachelor + Master, Total) | — | — |
| Share of Tertiary Programmes Taught in National Languages (%) | — | — |
| Share of Tertiary Programmes Taught in English (%) | — | — |
| Main Global Ranking Used | QS World University Rankings 2027. [QS] | QS World University Rankings 2027. [QS] |
| Universities in Top 100 (Selected Ranking) | 0 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The highest-ranked Turkish university was Istanbul Technical University (#279). [QS] | 3 in QS 2027: ETH Zurich (=8), EPFL (=22) and University of Zurich (=98). [QS] |
| Universities in Top 500 (Selected Ranking) | 6 in the QS World University Rankings 2027: Istanbul Technical University (#279), Middle East Technical University (#305), Koç University (#329), Boğaziçi University (#345), Sabancı University (#357) and Bilkent University (#454). [QS] | 8 Swiss institutions in QS 2027: ETH Zurich, EPFL, University of Zurich, University of Basel, University of Geneva, University of Bern, University of Lausanne and Università della Svizzera italiana. [QS] |
| Universities in Top 1000 (Selected Ranking) | 11 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The total includes the six universities ranked within the top 500. [QS] | 10 Swiss institutions in QS 2027, including the eight top-500 institutions plus the University of Fribourg and Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). [QS] |
| National Accreditation / QA Agency (Higher Education) | Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK), responsible for institutional quality assurance, external evaluation and institutional accreditation, and for authorizing or recognizing relevant programme accreditation bodies. [YÖKAK] | Swiss Accreditation Council, with accreditation procedures carried out by recognized agencies including the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ). The Council makes institutional accreditation decisions under the Higher Education Act. [Swiss Accreditation Council] |
| International Students (Total) | 352,271 international students as of January 2025, according to YÖK's national higher education figures. The count covers international enrollment across Turkish higher education institutions and is not limited to English-taught programmes. [CoHE] | — |
| International Students Share of Total Tertiary Enrollment (%) | 4.3% in 2023 under the OECD's internationally comparable international/foreign student measure. This indicator follows the OECD's enrollment and student-status definitions and should not be calculated directly from YÖK's January 2025 international-student total. [OECD] | 20.1% in 2024, according to the OECD's internationally mobile or foreign tertiary-student indicator, up from approximately 17% in 2015. Germany and France each accounted for about 19% of incoming international students, followed by Italy at 11%. [OECD] [OECD 2026] |
Education Costs (Indicative)
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Public University Tuition Fees – Domestic / Regional (Annual, Local Currency) | TRY 0 in 2026/27 for eligible students in regular first-cycle and open education programmes at state universities when their student contribution is covered by the government. Charges can apply in specified circumstances, including study beyond the prescribed programme duration, enrollment in an additional degree programme, and programmes subject to separate fee rules. The eligibility and payment arrangements follow the annual presidential decision on higher education student contributions and tuition. [Atatürk University] | For 2026/27, published regular bachelor's and master's tuition at Swiss universities ranges from approximately CHF 870 to CHF 4,000 per academic year, before additional compulsory fees. The lower end is represented by the University of Geneva (CHF 435 per semester), while Università della Svizzera italiana charges CHF 2,000 per semester. ETH Zurich and EPFL list standard domestic tuition of CHF 730 per semester, or CHF 1,460 annually. Fees vary by institution, degree level and individual circumstances. [swissuniversities] |
| Public University Tuition Fees – International / Non-EU (Annual, Local Currency) | No single nationwide annual tuition fee. State universities determine international admission tuition in Turkish lira (TRY) under the applicable higher education fee regulations. Charges vary by university, faculty, degree level, programme language and admission category. Medicine and other high-cost programmes may have different rates from social sciences and humanities. EU or non-EU nationality alone is not the principal national fee classification; the student's admission route and applicable exemptions also matter. The 2026/27 fee arrangements are governed by the national decision and individual university fee schedules. [Atatürk University] | For 2026/27, published foreign-student tuition at Swiss universities ranges from approximately CHF 870 to CHF 8,000 per academic year, before additional compulsory fees. The University of Geneva lists CHF 435 per semester for both domestic and foreign students, while Università della Svizzera italiana lists CHF 4,000 per semester for foreign students. ETH Zurich and EPFL list CHF 2,190 per semester for students subject to their higher foreign-student rate. Eligibility for different fees depends on university rules, residency or educational background and applicable exemptions; there is no single nationwide non-EU tuition rate. [swissuniversities] |
| Typical Tuition Fees for English-Taught Programmes (Annual, Local Currency) | No uniform national English-taught programme fee. Tuition depends on the institution, subject and student's fee category. For students subject to the relevant statutory contribution or tuition calculation, the 2026/27 presidential decision provides a 1.5 multiplier for programmes taught in a foreign language. Eligible students whose contributions are covered by the government may still pay TRY 0, while international students and other fee-paying groups are subject to their applicable programme charges. Foundation universities publish their own tuition schedules. | — |
| Language School Costs (Monthly, Local Currency) | No standardized national monthly rate. Turkish-language courses, including university-affiliated TÖMER programmes, are often priced by language level or academic term. As one published example for 2026/27, Yalova University's Turkish Language Learning Center charged TRY 16,000 for a three-month term, equivalent to approximately TRY 5,333 per month. This is an institutional example, not a national average; fees vary by provider, location and course intensity. [Yalova University] | — |
Major Education Updates & Policy Changes
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| 2000–2010: Key Updates & Reforms | ||
| 2010–2020: Key Updates & Reforms | ||
| 2020–2024: Key Updates & Reforms | ||
| 2025–2026: Key Updates & Reforms |
General Overview (Narrative)
| Category | Turkey | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Türkiye operates a centralized education system, with school education overseen by the Ministry of National Education and higher education coordinated by the Council of Higher Education. Compulsory schooling covers approximately ages 6–18 under the 4+4+4 structure of primary, lower-secondary and upper-secondary education. In 2025/26, MEB recorded approximately 91.1% of students in public institutions and 8.9% in private institutions, excluding open education and including pre-primary provision. The net pre-primary enrollment rate for ages 3–5 was 49.78%. Vocational and technical upper-secondary education enrolled 1,736,473 students. Türkiye has participated in PISA since 2003 and scored 462 in mathematics, 472 in reading and 494 in science in PISA 2025, with published averages above the 2022 results in all three subjects. Higher education comprised 208 institutions in the 2025 national count, including 129 state universities, 75 foundation universities and four foundation vocational schools. YÖK reported 352,271 international students as of January 2025. The IB directory listed 130 IB World Schools, while the national education system also included separately classified international private institutions. Public compulsory schooling is tuition-free, and eligible students in regular state university programmes generally have their tuition contributions covered by the government. Recent education changes include the phased implementation of the Türkiye Yüzyılı Maarif Modeli through grade 11 and the introduction of teacher-candidate preparatory training at the National Education Academy in 2026. | Switzerland has a federal, decentralized education system in which the 26 cantons hold primary responsibility for compulsory schooling while the Confederation and cantons cooperate in post-compulsory education. Compulsory education lasts 11 years, normally beginning around age four, and approximately 95% of pupils at this level attend tuition-free public schools. Instruction is mainly in German, French, Italian or Romansh according to language region. After compulsory school, vocational education and training is the larger upper-secondary route, accounting for 60.7% of enrollment in 2024. Switzerland has participated in every PISA cycle since 2000. In PISA 2025, students scored 499 in mathematics, 470 in reading and 501 in science; mathematics and reading were lower than in 2022, while science was about the same. Higher education includes 12 universities, 10 universities of applied sciences, universities of teacher education and other accredited institutions. International students accounted for 20.1% of tertiary enrollment in 2024. Current developments include the 2025–2028 federal education funding period, the Swiss Education Report 2026 and the Professional Bachelor and Professional Master title additions introduced in October 2026. |