The diploma

The Swiss gymnasial matura.

The reference diploma for direct admission to Swiss universities, Federal Institutes of Technology and universities of applied sciences — without additional entrance exams.

Definition

A passport for higher education.

The gymnasial matura — often called the "Swiss matura" — is the upper secondary academic leaving certificate in Switzerland. It is awarded after several years of study at a gymnasium, lyceum or college recognised jointly by the Confederation and the CDPE.

Unlike other upper secondary tracks (apprenticeship, commercial school), it is exclusively oriented towards academic higher education. Its aim: to develop independent thinking, intellectual rigour and multilingual expression.

The Swiss gymnasial matura is the equivalent of the French Baccalauréat or the Austrian Matura. It is widely recognised abroad.

Students in a gymnasium classroom
Official recognition

A national and federal recognition.

The gymnasial matura rests on a legal framework shared by the Confederation and the cantons. Two key texts define the requirements:

  • The MRROOrdinance on the Recognition of Gymnasial Matura Certificates, setting common minimum requirements.
  • The ORRMThe complementary federal regulation on matura recognition.
  • The CDPESwiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education — grants national recognition to institutions meeting these standards.
  • Each canton may add its own requirements, explaining differences in duration and organisation between Geneva, Vaud, Bern and Zurich.

National recognition guarantees that a matura issued in any canton is valid across Switzerland and at all higher education institutions.

What the law says

The recognised gymnasial matura grants general access to Swiss university-level institutions without additional examinations — that is its defining value.

  • Swiss cantonal universities
  • EPFL (Lausanne) and ETH Zurich
  • Universities of teacher education (conditions vary by canton)
  • Certain universities of applied sciences

What's the difference between a recognised and an unrecognised private school?

A private school without cantonal recognition cannot award the gymnasial matura directly. Its students must sit the centralised Swiss matura exam organised by SERI.

Admission requirements

Who can enter a gymnasium?

Admission to gymnasium is regulated by the cantons. Criteria vary, but several elements are common:

  • Completion of lower secondary school (compulsory education)
  • Meeting cantonal selection criteria (school results, entrance exam or teacher recommendation)
  • Some cantons (Geneva, Vaud) hold a specific entrance examination
  • Others base admission on 8th or 9th grade results

For adults who did not follow the classic gymnasium route, the Swiss matura exam is the main path to a recognised certificate.

View all pathways →
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Duration of studies

Duration varies by canton: 4 years in most French-speaking gymnasiums (after 9th HarmoS year), and up to 3 years in some German-speaking cantons. Total gymnasial education spans 11 to 13 school years.

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Public and recognised private gymnasiums

Most gymnasiums are public (cantonal). There are also private institutions whose programme is officially recognised by the canton. The list of recognised schools is published by SERI.

Obtaining the certificate

How do you pass?

The gymnasial matura is awarded on the basis of continuous assessment and final examinations. The passing rules are:

  • Overall average of at least 4.0 out of 6.0 across all subjects
  • No more than 3 failing grades (below 4)
  • Total deficit of points must be less than 2
  • The matura thesis must be completed and passed separately

The matura thesis

Every student writes an interdisciplinary matura thesis of at least sixty pages on a topic of their choice. The work is defended orally before a jury. It provides a genuine initiation into academic research methodology.

Ready to prepare for your gymnasial matura?

Discover the pathways, the subjects on the programme and the schools that can support you.

Pathways Find a school