Swiss university access
The federal maturité is the standard route into EPFL, ETH Zurich or UNIL, with no entrance exam for most programmes.
Pathways · Alternative to the French bac
An alternative to the bac: the Swiss maturité.
Looking for another path than the French baccalauréat? In Switzerland, the end-of-high-school diploma is the maturité (federal maturité). It leads to Swiss universities such as EPFL and the University of Lausanne. Here is how it works and who it suits.
Small classes
At a private gymnasium such as LémanMaturité in Vevey, classes average around 8 students.
Boarding available
Families abroad can choose boarding through the partnership with École Chantemerle, with daily transport.
What is the Swiss maturité?
The maturité is the Swiss equivalent of the French general baccalauréat. It is prepared at a gymnasium (Swiss upper secondary school) and covers a broad core: languages, maths, sciences and humanities, plus a specialism chosen by the student. The federal maturité can also be prepared at a private gymnasium, which enters students for the federal exams.
The Swiss maturité in figures
According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), in 2023: • 42.9% of young adults in Switzerland obtained a maturité, all tracks combined. • 23.2% obtained an academic (gymnasial) maturité, the one that opens universities and EPFL/ETH. 15.5% obtained a vocational maturité and 4.2% a specialised maturité. • The French-speaking cantons (including Vaud and Geneva) are all above the national average. The academic maturité therefore remains a selective diploma: about one young person in four obtains it. Source: FSO, “Upper secondary level: maturité rates”.
Bac or maturité: what are the differences?
The French bac and the Swiss maturité are both end-of-secondary diplomas. The maturité is often seen as broader and more demanding over time, with less early specialisation. Its main advantage: it is the most direct route into Swiss universities. With a French bac, entry to a Swiss university is still possible, but it depends on grades and subjects, and the rules change regularly. We check the current requirements for each plan.
The Swiss maturité from Paris: international school or boarding school?
Many families looking for an international school in Paris or a boarding school in Paris also consider Switzerland. Here is how to compare. • International school in Paris: your child stays at home and often follows the French international bac or the IB. It is the right option if the family stays in the Paris region and is not primarily aiming for Swiss universities. • Boarding school in Paris: boarding places in Paris itself are limited, and many boarding schools are elsewhere in Île-de-France or in the regions. The student stays in the bac system. • Swiss maturité from Paris: your child boards on Lake Geneva (about 4 hours by train from Paris) and prepares the maturité, the most direct route into EPFL and Swiss universities. We meet you by video or in Paris to compare these three options with your child's records. For the step-by-step process, see our page “The Swiss maturité from Paris”.
Which students is it a good alternative to the bac for?
• Students aiming for EPFL, ETH or a Swiss university. • Those who need a more personal setting, in small classes. • Those who want a change of direction after seconde or première (years 11–12). • Families moving to Switzerland or looking for a quality boarding school near Lake Geneva.
How we help
Free first call, review of school records, choice between bac and maturité, selection of the gymnasium and boarding school, application and follow-up until the first day. We work in particular with LémanMaturité (Vevey) and École Chantemerle (Blonay).
Frequently asked questions
Can my child prepare the Swiss maturité while staying in Paris?+
The Swiss maturité is prepared at a gymnasium in Switzerland, so the student moves to Switzerland, usually as a boarder. From Paris, we organise everything: first meeting, choice of school, video interview and enrolment. If your child needs to stay in Paris, an international school in Paris is usually the better option.
Is the Swiss maturité recognised in France?+
Yes, but there is no automatic equivalence with the bac. In France, the receiving institution (university, school, preparatory class) decides whether to recognise a foreign diploma, using its own criteria. A French or Swiss student holding the maturité applies for first year through Parcoursup, like other EU and Swiss applicants, without the prior admission request required for other countries. If a school asks, ENIC-NARIC France issues a “certificate of comparability” placing the maturité relative to French diplomas. Sources: service-public.fr and the French Ministry of Higher Education.
Can a student switch from the French seconde to the maturité?+
Yes, it is a common time to change systems. The gymnasium assesses the student's level, particularly in languages and maths, to place them in the right year.
How long does preparing the maturité take?+
Usually 3 to 4 years at a gymnasium. Some private gymnasiums also offer a shorter intensive maturité for motivated students.
Can a French student enter EPFL with a bac?+
Yes, subject to grade and subject requirements that EPFL reviews regularly. The federal maturité remains the most direct route. Always check the rules for the current year.
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Bac or maturité? Let's talk about your child
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