How long does grammar school last in Switzerland?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how long grammar school lasts in Switzerland. This is because the cantons organise their school systems in slightly different ways.

In the following article, we have therefore listed the duration of grammar school for each individual canton separately and have also specified the year in which grammar school begins in each case.

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The most important points in brief:

In future, grammar school is to last at least four years throughout Switzerland; any cantons affected have until 2038 to make the transition.
Some cantons offer both long- and short-term grammar school. Others offer only the short-term grammar school.
The short-term grammar school usually lasts 4 years, sometimes 3 years, and 5 years in Valais.
The long-term grammar school usually lasts 6 years, or 5 years for those joining from other educational pathways.
In cases of additional commitments, such as those faced by talented athletes or musicians, it is sometimes possible to extend the duration of the grammar school programme by one year.

Table of contents

Future minimum duration of grammar school in Switzerland: 4 years
Grammar school duration by canton
Overview table of grammar school (Gymnasium) duration in Switzerland

Future minimum duration of grammar school in Switzerland: 4 years

In Switzerland, education is a matter for the cantons. Nevertheless, in order to achieve a degree of harmonisation, the cantons work within the framework of the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) to draw up rules for standardising educational programmes.

An agreement on harmonising the minimum duration of grammar school education in Switzerland has only recently come into force. Since 1 August 2024, Article 7 of the EDK Regulations on the Recognition of Grammar School Leaving Certificates (Maturity Recognition Regulations, MAR) stipulates that grammar school education must last at least four years.

However, those cantons that are required to switch to a four-year Gymnasium have a maximum of fourteen years to do so, as stipulated in Article 36(2)(b) of the MAR, i.e. until 2038.

In addition to the cantons where the minimum duration of four years has not yet been achieved, there are also cantons with Gymnasiums that last longer than four years. In principle, grammar schools in Switzerland are therefore also divided into long-term grammar schools (usually six years, sometimes five years for lateral entrants) and short-term grammar schools (usually four years, sometimes three years, and five years in Valais).

Grammar school duration by canton

In the sections below, we have listed for each canton the duration of the grammar school. We have also indicated the year in which the grammar school begins. Furthermore, we have included any exceptions where these apply in the respective canton.

When we refer to school years here, the first school year corresponds to the first year of primary school. We therefore only start counting school years from the start of primary school and not from the start of nursery school. In brackets, we have listed the standardised counting method used throughout Switzerland in accordance with the HarmoS agreement, under which the first HarmoS year begins with compulsory nursery school.