With a Swiss Matura, access to universities in Switzerland is open to practically all courses. But what if you come from abroad and have an international Baccalaureate diploma?
50 schools with an IB degree option
The “Organization du Baccalaureat” (OBI) is an organization based in Geneva. The NPO was founded in 1968 and has one goal: to offer children and young people with parents who frequently change their place of residence a qualification that is internationally valid. OBI therefore developed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, which is intended for 16-19 year olds. In over 100 countries, the governments have signed a written agreement that guarantees the validity of the IB diploma and university access. In addition, there are a large number of universities around the world that have also signed this contract. There are now three other programs in the system, which are primarily intended for younger children and adolescents.
In Switzerland there are currently 50 schools that offer the IB Diploma program and another 30 that offer one of the other programs. There are also a few public schools.
The diploma program
Quelle: ibo.org
The IB diploma program is a course that lasts over two years. Six subjects are chosen from six different groups (see hexagon). At least three, but not more than four, subjects must be completed at the so-called “higher level”, the others at the “standard level”. The levels differ in the total number of hours and the degree of difficulty in the final exam.
Also charitable activities in the school program
The hexagon consists of three elements. The “theory of knowledge” course promotes interdisciplinary thinking. “Extended essay” teaches students how to work scientifically, as required at universities. The “creativity, action, service” element shows the students that learning is not limited to school. In addition to the subjects of sport, dance and design, the students also have the task of doing charitable work and, for example, doing social work in old people’s homes. While this element does not count towards completion, it must be completed in order to receive the diploma.
Worldwide equivalent diploma exams
Final exams take place in May or November, depending on the location, and are written in English, French or Spanish. The exams are developed, corrected and assessed externally. Anyone who reaches 24 out of 42 (excluding 3 bonus points) receives the diploma. The exam is an organizational masterpiece. The teachers receive the exams sealed and send them back sealed after the exam. A multi-level proofreading guarantees an equivalent assessment of all exams. An international comparison is also possible and every IB diploma is equivalent worldwide.
University entrance with the International Baccalaureat with high scores
If you want to study at a Swiss university, you have to achieve 32 points in the diploma examination (38 points at the ETHs) and, depending on the university, choose the right combination of subjects. The Swiss university landscape is rather critical of the IB diploma, as fewer subjects are completed in the end than with a Swiss Matura. Whether this fact is decisive cannot be determined here in brief. But it can be said that the idea behind the International Baccalaureat is ingenious and equivalence of the degree in this global dimension is superior to the Matura.