The subjects are divided into two categories. The first category includes three humanities, three sciences and an arts subject. The second category includes three languages (two Swiss languages plus English), mathematics and two other optional subjects chosen in negotiation with the school.
By providing students with the opportunity to select these optional subjects from a wide variety of additional disciplines (see below), the Swiss Maturité is a flexible, adaptable qualification. The diploma can therefore be tailored with a scientific, literary or economic focus, perfectly preparing its graduates for studying a specific subject at higher education level.
Subjects are assessed in both written and oral exams, with students also required to complete a dissertation, which all contribute to their overall result. The dissertation allows each student to study a subject at a higher degree of competence, priming them further for university-level study.
Subjects taught in the Swiss Maturité curriculum
The full list of basic subjects taught in the Swiss Maturité is as follows:
- Three languages
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- History
- Geography
- Music and/or artistic design
The optional subjects in the second category can be selected from a further group of subjects:
- Ancient languages
- Modern languages
- Biology and chemistry
- Physics and applied mathematics
- Artistic design
- Music
- Pedagogy, philosophy and psychology
- Law and economy
Studying the Swiss Maturité
Studying the Swiss Maturité at the culmination of the Swiss educational curriculum arms students with the skills they need to thrive at university and beyond. It is a highly multidisciplinary course, which still allows the level of specialism that prepares pupils for their intended further education course.
The Swiss Maturité can be studied in French or as a bilingual course in English and French. If the latter is the case, three subjects are taught and examined entirely in English.
The benefits of studying the diploma with Nord Anglia Education are based upon the following principles:
- Curriculum-focused courses: Each element of the Swiss Maturité is meticulously crafted to meet the needs of the overall curriculum.
- Specialist teachers for every subject: All teachers are experts in their specific fields in this multidisciplinary qualification.
- A personalised approach for every student: Each pupil’s individual needs are tailored to, with regular opportunities for communication.
- Mock exams organised three times a year: These practice examinations ensure students are fully prepared for the final assessments of the course.
- Weekly homework assignments: Students are given realistic but challenging assignments to complete outside of the classroom and continue their learning.
- Revision before the official exams: All students are provided with the time and resources to revise everything they have learned before the final exams.
- Accompaniment by teachers to exams: Students are accompanied to examinations by staff, relieving some of the pressure of, for example, oral exams.
The exams themselves are organised by the State Secretariat for Education and Research and are the responsibility of the Swiss Maturité Commission, which guarantees fairness and impartiality. This further strengthens the credibility of the qualification and improves its wider value and international recognition.
Examinations include written and oral tests, as well as a defence of the dissertation, and are presented in two equally weighted sessions at the end of the first and final classes. Each subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 6 (with 6 being the highest score) and students must score an average of 4 to obtain the full Maturité.
Follow the links below to find out more about Nord Anglia Education’s internationally respected curricula, or read more about our range of outstanding bilingual and international schools in Switzerland here.
