Earn a Swiss Matura with the Ecole
The Matura Program at the Ecole d’Humanité
The Ecole prepares motivated and ambitious students for the Swiss Matura examinations. This classic Swiss diploma opens doors to universities in Switzerland and around the world.
The Matura program at the Ecole d’Humanité is taught in German, and students entering the Matura program must have full fluency in German.
The Ecole d’Humanité Matura preparatory program spans three and a half years and is taught in small groups of approximately four to eight students. Students are tutored in the core academic subjects in preparation for the credentialing exams. Guided by attentive and passionate teachers, Ecolianers also prepare their Matura thesis, a formal research paper in a subject of the student’s choice.
After graduating from secondary school, students begin preparing for their Matura exams in the tenth grade. Students sit the first partial examination in February of the 12th grade, which covers the following subjects: biology, chemistry, geography, history, physics, and either music or visual arts. At the end of the 13th grade, students complete the second partial examination in German, English, French, Mathematics, their chosen major, and a supplementary subject. Upon successful completion of the Matura exams and the Matura thesis paper, students are awarded their Swiss Matura.
What is the Swiss Matura?
With the Swiss Matura credential, young people receive a rigorous, broad ranging education while demonstrating academic competence across disciplines.
The Swiss Matura entitles the holder to study all subjects at all universities in Switzerland, including universities of applied sciences and universities of teacher education.
In a few subjects, depending on the number of applicants, students must take entrance exams or placement tests in addition to the Matura, for example, the aptitude test for medical studies or the entrance exam for music studies.
The Swiss Matura is comparable to the German Abitur and is recognized internationally, opening doors to universities throughout Europe. Thanks to bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the European Union, the Swiss Matura allows students to attend Universities across Europe. The Swiss Matura is also highly regarded outside Europe and is recognized as a university entrance qualification worldwide.
How do Matura Exams take place?
Both partial examinations are centrally organized throughout Switzerland. They take place at testing locations across the country in cities such as Bern, Zurich, or Zug. The exams are held in two phases over several days, consisting of one or two exams per day. For each phase, students are assessed in five to six subjects. The exams consist mostly of written assessments, but some subjects also have oral components.
How does the Ecole d’Humanité prepare students for the Matura exams?
To prepare our students for the demands of the Matura exam week, we simulate this exam experience prior to the corresponding partial exam. Our exam simulation helps students familiarize themselves with the exam procedures and prepares them for the content of the exams.
Which core subjects and foreign languages are offered in the Matura program?
We regularly offer biology and chemistry as core subjects, as well as fine arts. In individual cases, we can also assist with the preparation for other core subjects, such as physics and applications of mathematics or pedagogy, philosophy and psychology.
We offer instruction in English and French as foreign languages. Native speakers of other foreign languages may, of course, choose to be examined in their native language as a foreign language, provided that this foreign language complies with the guidelines of the Matura Commission.
COURSE CATALOG
Where can I find more information about the Swiss Matura?
The website of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SBFI provides detailed information on examination regulations, Matura thesis, subject combinations, assessment criteria, bibliographies, examination dates etc.
For information about applying to the Swiss Matura program, please contact info@ecole.ch.
