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:
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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.
Aargau
Duration of grammar school in Aargau:
Start of grammar school in Aargau:
- Short-term grammar school:
Exceptions in Aargau:
- Sports grammar school at the old cantonal school Aargau: duration 5 years
You may also be interested in the following article: ‘Aargau school system - explained simply’
Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Duration of grammar school in Appenzell Ausserrhoden:
Start of grammar school in Appenzell Ausserrhoden:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 8th grade (10th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 2nd year of secondary school
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 3rd year of secondary school
Appenzell Innerrhoden
Duration of grammar school in Appenzell Innerrhoden:
- 6 years (long-term grammar school)
- 5 years (lateral entry into the long-term grammar school)
- 4 years (short-term grammar school)
Start of grammar school in Appenzell Innerrhoden:
- Long-term grammar school:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 8th grade (10th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 2nd year of secondary school
Basel-Landschaft
Duration of grammar school in Basel-Landschaft:
Start of grammar school in Basel-Landschaft:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 3rd year of secondary school
Exceptions in Basel-Landschaft:
- Sports grammar school at the Liestal Gymnasium: duration 5 years
Basel-Stadt
Duration of grammar school in Basel-Stadt:
Start of grammar school in Basel-Stadt:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 3rd year of secondary school
Bern
Duration of grammar school in Bern:
Start of grammar school in Bern:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 8th grade (10th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 2nd year of secondary school
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 3rd year of secondary school
- Short-term grammar school: after the 11th grade (13th HarmoS class); specifically: transfer to the 3rd grade of the Gymnasium (academic high school) after completing certain secondary schools under certain conditions
Exceptions in Bern:
- Sports grammar school at Hofwil Gymnasium: duration 5 years
- Music grammar school at the Hofwil Gymnasium: duration 5 years
Freiburg
Duration of grammar school education in Freiburg:
Start of grammar school in Freiburg:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 3rd year of the orientation school
Geneva
Duration of grammar school education in Geneva:
Start of grammar school in Geneva:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 3rd grade of the orientation phase
Exceptions in Geneva:
- Sports and Arts Studies Program (SAE): Extension of training period possible
Glarus
Duration of grammar school in Glarus:
Start of grammar school in Glarus:
- Long-term grammar school:
- Short-term grammar school:
Graubünden
Duration of grammar school in Graubünden:
Start of grammar school in Graubünden:
- Long-term grammar school:
- Short-term grammar school:
Exceptions in Graubünden:
- Davos Sports Grammar School: duration 5 years
Jura
Duration of grammar school education in Jura:
Start of grammar school in Jura:
Exceptions in Jura:
- Bilingual grammar school diploma: duration 4 years, starting after the 8th grade.
Lucerne
Duration of grammar school in Lucerne:
Start of grammar school in Lucerne:
- Long-term grammar school:
- Short-term grammar school:
Exceptions in Lucerne:
- Sports and music classes at the short-term grammar school: duration 5 years
Neuenburg
Duration of grammar school education in Neuenburg:
Start of grammar school in Neuenburg:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 3rd grade of secondary level I
Nidwalden
Duration of grammar school in Nidwalden:
Start of grammar school in Nidwalden:
- Long-term grammar school: after the 6th grade (8th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 6th grade of primary school
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 3rd grade of the orientation school - ORS
Obwalden
Duration of grammar school in Obwalden:
Start of grammar school in Obwalden:
- Long-term grammar school: after the 6th grade (8th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 6th grade of primary school
- Short-term grammar school:
Schaffhausen
Duration of grammar school in Schaffhausen:
Start of grammar school in Schaffhausen:
- Short-term grammar school:
Schwyz
Duration of grammar school in Schwyz:
- 6 years (long-term grammar school, but only private grammar schools: Einsiedeln Abbey School, Gymnasium Immensee, Theresianum Ingenbohl)
- 4 years (short-term grammar school)
Start of grammar school in Schwyz:
- Long-term grammar school: after the 6th grade (8th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 6th grade of primary school
- Short-term grammar school:
Exceptions in Schwyz:
- Art and Sports class (K+S) at the short-term gymnasium of the Kantonsschule Ausserschwyz: duration 5 years
Solothurn
Duration of grammar school in Solothurn:
Start of grammar school in Solothurn:
- Short-term grammar school:
Exceptions in Solothurn:
- Special class Sport & Culture at the short-term grammar of the Solothurn cantonal school: duration 5 years
St. Gallen
Duration of grammar school in St. Gallen:
Start of grammar school in St. Gallen:
- Long-term grammar school: after the 6th grade (8th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 6th grade of primary school
- Short-term grammar school:
Ticino
Duration of grammar school in Ticino:
Start of grammar school in Ticino:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 4th grade of middle school (Primary school in Ticino only lasts 5 years)
Thurgau
Duration of grammar school in Thurgau:
Start of grammar school in Thurgau:
- Short-term grammar school:
Uri
Duration of grammar school in Uri:
Start of grammar school in Uri:
- Long-term grammar school:
- Short-term grammar school:
Vaud
Duration of grammar school in Vaud:
Start of grammar school in Vaud:
- Short-term grammar school: after the 9th grade (11th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 3rd grade of secondary level I
Valais
Duration of grammar school in Valais:
Start of grammar school in Valais:
- Short-term grammar school:
Zug
Duration of grammar school in Zug:
Start of grammar school in Zug:
- Long-term grammar school:
- Short-term grammar school:
Zurich
Duration of grammar school in Zurich:
Start of grammar school in Zurich:
- Long-term grammar school: after the 6th grade (8th HarmoS class); specifically: after the 6th grade of primary school
- Short-term grammar school:
Exceptions in Zurich:
- Art and Sports High School K+S Gymnasium Rämibühl: duration 7 years (long-term grammar school) or 5 years (short-term grammar school)
- Art Grammar School Liceo Artistico at the Freudenberg Cantonal School: duration 5 years
You may also be interested in the following articles:
- ‘Zurich school system - explained simply’
- ‘All grammar schools in canton Zurich and grammar school profiles’
- ‘Gymnasium Zurich ranking: best grammar school in the canton of Zurich’
Overview table of grammar school (Gymnasium) duration in Switzerland
The following overview table lists the duration of grammar school in Switzerland by canton, broken down by long-term grammar school, short-term grammar school and exceptions:
| Canton | Duration of long-term grammar school | Duration of short-term grammar school | Exceptions |
| Aargau | – | 4 yrs. | Sport grammar school (5 yrs.) |
| Appenzell AR | – | 4 yrs. | – |
| Appenzell IR | 6 yrs. / 5 yrs. | 4 yrs. | – |
| Basel-Landsch. | – | 4 yrs. | Sport grammar school (5 yrs.) |
| Basel-Stadt | – | 4 yrs. | – |
| Bern | – | 4 yrs. | Sport/Music Hofwil (5 yrs.) |
| Freiburg | – | 4 yrs. | – |
| Genf | – | 4 yrs. | Sports and Arts (extension possible) |
| Glarus | 6 yrs. | 4 yrs. | – |
| Graubünden | 6 yrs. | 4 yrs. | Sports Grammar School Davos (5 yrs.) |
| Jura | – | 3 yrs. | Bilingual grammar school diploma (4 yrs., from the 8th grade) |
| Luzern | 6 yrs. | 4 yrs. | Sports/Music (5 yrs.) |
| Neuenburg | – | 3 yrs. | – |
| Nidwalden | 6 yrs. | 4 yrs. | – |
| Obwalden | 6 yrs. | 4 yrs. | – |
| Schaffhausen | – | 4 yrs. | – |
| Schwyz | 6 yrs.* | 4 yrs. | Art/Sports KSA (5 yrs.) |
| Solothurn | – | 4 yrs. | Sports & Culture (5 yrs.) |
| St. Gallen | 6 yrs. | 4 yrs. | – |
| Tessin | – | 4 yrs. | – |
| Thurgau | – | 4 yrs. | – |
| Uri | 6 yrs. / 5 yrs. | 4 yrs. | – |
| Waadt | – | 3 yrs. | – |
| Wallis | – | 5 yrs. | – |
| Zug | 6 yrs. | 4 yrs. | – |
| Zürich | 6 yrs. | 4 yrs. | K+S (7 yrs./5 yrs.), Liceo Artistico (5 yrs.) |
* The long-term grammar school is only offered by private gymnasiums in the canton of Schwyz.
yrs. = years
Source: LERN-FORUM.CH (Lern- und Sprachsysteme Mühlebach AG)
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