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28/10/2009International schools in Switzerland

graduate Expatica’s selection of international schools in Switzerland, with listings and information on exams.

Both local and international school systems in Switzerland offer excellent facilities and educational opportunities for students. Considerations for choosing between a local or international school include age of student, priority of local integration, language preference, and scheduling. Swiss school options tend to be most appropriate for younger students, who can maintain their English in the home environment, and for students who do not require an equal development of both languages on a written level. It is recommended that families choose one system for all children to maintain compatible daily and vacation schedules.

Switzerland has 38 international schools, all of which form the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS). With a reputation for high teaching standards and strict discipline, Swiss international schools are among the best in the world.

Gstaad International School Switzerland

Exams and diplomas
International schools offer students either nationally or internationally recognised qualification. The IGCSE and the IB are both internationally recognised certificates which are almost always prerequisites for entry into top universities.

  • The International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE)
The IGCSE is a UK-based qualification administered by the Cambridge Local Examining Board. It is equivalent to school years 10 and 11, or British GSCEs. IGCSE requires students to take a minimum of eight subjects. The IGCSE diploma is particularly helpful for students applying to British universities, although it is not limited to the United Kingdom.

  • The International Baccalaureate diploma (IB)
The International Baccalaureate originated at the International School of Geneva, and today over 1700 schools in over 120 countries offer this diploma. It is considered equivalent to the British system of A-levels, and caters to students ages 16-19. The diploma requires students to study six subjects within two years, as well as additional academic courses in philosophy, creativity and service, as well as writing a final essay. The IB is increasingly being favoured over the traditional A-Level system, as it focuses on the student’s personal development in addition to academic work.
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