It’s one of the questions parents ask us most often, usually towards the end of a conversation, almost apologetically: “But is that a proper Matura qualification?”
It’s a fair question. In Switzerland, there are two routes to a federally recognised upper-secondary school-leaving qualification (Matura): the school-based Matura examination at a recognised cantonal school (commonly known as the “Hausmatura”) and the external Swiss Matura examination (often referred to as the “Eidgenössische Matura”), which is administered centrally by the federal government. These names make it sound as though the two qualifications are on different levels.
But they are not. By law, the Matura certificate awarded through the Swiss Matura examination is equivalent to those issued by cantonal secondary schools. Both routes open the same doors: admission to all Swiss universities, including ETH Zurich.
The difference lies not in the value of the qualification, but in the path to achieving it: who conducts the examinations, when they take place, and what happens when a student struggles with a particular subject along the way. And that is precisely what matters for your child.
Equivalent qualifications. Legally recognised as equal, with the same access to universities.
Different examiners. In the “Hausmatura”, students are examined by their own teacher alongside an external subject specialist. In the “eidgenössische Matura”, examinations are conducted by an external teacher and an expert, neither of whom knows your child.
Different assessment schedules. Cantonal schools decide on Promotion every six months. With the “eidgenössische Matura”, there is no selection along the way, giving students time to close learning gaps before the final examination determines the outcome.
Different pace. The “eidgenössische Matura” allows your child to choose when to take the examination.
Most parents are familiar with this route because it is the standard at cantonal secondary schools. These schools are recognised by the federal government and the cantons as Matura schools and are authorised to conduct their own examinations, hence the informal term “Hausmatura”. The students’ own teachers prepare and mark the examinations, while external experts ensure quality standards are maintained.
This approach offers clear advantages: a structured, predictable schedule, a stable class environment, and teaching tailored specifically to the examinations. Teachers who design the examinations themselves know exactly what they need to prepare their students for.
The downside is the constant pressure to perform throughout the school years. In the Canton of Zurich, decisions on “Promotion” are made at the end of each reporting period, and the rules are strict: failing grades count double, and students may receive no more than three grades below 4. Students who are not promoted generally have to repeat the entire school year, including all subjects. During their secondary school education, students are only allowed to repeat a year once, with one important exception: those who fail the final Matura examination are always given a second chance and may repeat their final year.
The Swiss Matura examination is overseen by the Swiss Matura Commission and organised by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. Examinations follow federally established guidelines and are conducted by examiners who have never taught your child.
The examination is usually divided into two parts:
First Part of the Examination: This covers five core subjects assessed through written examinations (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History and Geography), as well as either Visual Arts (written and practical) or Music (practical and oral).
Second Part of the Examination: This covers Languages, Mathematics and the chosen Specialisation Subject (each assessed through written and oral examinations), the Complementary Subject (oral examination), and the presentation of the previously submitted Matura thesis.
For a school, this model fundamentally changes the role of the teacher, and that is the real difference, rather than how the examinations are organised. Our teachers take on the role of coaches: they do not grade or select students, but prepare them for an external examination, working towards the same goal as your child. Throughout their education, grades serve as indicators of progress rather than final judgements. A student who needs six months to catch up in Mathematics receives support, rather than being left behind.
Another notable feature is the emphasis on oral examinations: the first language, second national language, third language, Mathematics and the Specialisation Subject are assessed through both written and oral examinations, while the Complementary Subject is assessed exclusively through an oral examination. This gives students who express themselves better verbally than in writing an opportunity to demonstrate their strengths.
The timing is flexible, too. Your child takes the examination when they are ready, rather than following a fixed schedule determined by their age group. There is one requirement: candidates must turn 18 in the year they take the second part of the examination.
The downside? Ultimately, the examination results are what count. There are no grades from coursework that can compensate for a weaker examination performance. This requires preparation that is tailored to the examination format from the very first week. That is exactly what our programme is designed to provide: we offer a broad general education while also preparing students specifically for the different examination formats, including oral examinations, annual examinations and examination weeks. Our smaller class sizes also allow us to respond to each student's individual needs.
If your child does not pass, however, the requirements for retaking the examination are considerably less strict than in the cantonal system: only subjects with a grade below 4 need to be retaken. Passing grades remain valid for two years, and students are entitled to a second attempt.
| Hausmatura | Swiss Matura (“eidgenössische Matura”) | |
| Recognition | Recognised throughout Switzerland, with unrestricted access to all universities, including ETH Zurich. Some exceptions apply (Medicine, ZHdK). | Legally equivalent, with identical access to universities. |
| Who Conducts the Examinations | The school’s own teachers alongside external subject specialists. | Examiners and experts appointed by the Swiss Matura Commission. |
| Admission to Secondary School | Cantonal central entrance examination in German and Mathematics, followed by a one-semester probationary period. | No state entrance examination; admission through our own admissions process. |
| During the Course of Study | Promotion decision each reporting period (semester): failing grades count double, with no more than three grades below 4 permitted. | No Promotion requirements during the course of study; assessments serve as progress reviews and may, following consultation, lead to repeating a year or exploring a different educational path. |
| Oral Examination Component |
Oral grades are awarded continuously during lessons and in selected final examinations conducted by the students’ own teachers. |
Prescribed oral examination component (6 subjects plus presentation), with a strong emphasis on presentation and communication skills before an external examination board. |
| Matura Thesis |
Submission according to each school’s regulations, usually in the first semester of the fourth year. The supervising teacher has a dual role: they guide the student through their Matura thesis and also award the final grade, together with an external co-examiner.
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Submission together with the formal registration for the second part of the examination. The supervising teacher acts as a supportive coach, focusing entirely on guiding the student through their Matura thesis, as the final assessment is carried out by external experts.
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| Examination Timing | Fixed according to the school year. | Flexible; students must turn 18 in the year they take the second part of the examination. |
| Passing Requirements | Grade average ≥ 4.0; the sum of deviations below 4.0, weighted double, must not exceed the sum of deviations above 4.0; no more than four failing grades. | Points system: Pass with 105 points or more, or with at least 84 points if no more than four subjects have failing grades and the total deviations below 4.0 do not exceed 7 points. Weighting: First Language, Specialisation Subject and the Core Subject at Advanced Level count triple; the other two subjects in this group count double; all remaining subjects and the Matura thesis count once. |
| If Students Do Not Pass | Repeating the entire school year, including all subjects. | Only subjects with a grade below 4 need to be retaken; passing grades remain valid for two years. |
| Second Attempt |
Students may repeat a school year only once during their secondary school education, with one exception: those who fail the final Matura examination may repeat their final year. | Legal entitlement to a second examination attempt. |
Neither route is better than the other. The real question is how your child learns best.
The Swiss Matura (“eidgenössische Matura”) is a good fit if your child struggles under constant pressure to meet promotion requirements, communicates well verbally, progresses at different rates across subjects, or needs more time to catch up in a particular area.
The “Hausmatura” is a good fit if your child thrives with a clearly structured schedule, finds regular assessments motivating, and has a consistently strong foundation across all subjects.
Ultimately, what matters is not which qualification appears on your child’s certificate, but the environment in which they can best demonstrate their abilities.
Parents are right to ask this question, which is why we answer it openly.
For a school to conduct its own Matura examinations, it must be formally recognised as a Matura school by the federal government and the cantons. Experience shows that this recognition process takes several years.
We are currently in the middle of this process. Until we receive formal accreditation, we prepare our students specifically for the Swiss Matura examination (“eidgenössische Matura”). What matters most to us is how we support our students: our teachers see themselves as coaches who encourage and nurture students rather than selecting them out at an early stage. We give young people the space to learn at their own pace and provide consistent support all the way through to graduation. This educational philosophy and our commitment to personal attention will remain the foundation of our school, even if we offer the “Hausmatura” in the future.
Is the Swiss Matura (“eidgenössische Matura”) truly equivalent? Yes, without restriction. Its legal equivalence to cantonal Matura certificates is established in Article 1 of the Ordinance on the Swiss Matura Examination.
Is it recognised by ETH Zurich and Swiss universities? Yes. The qualification grants admission to all Swiss universities without an entrance examination.
Is it more difficult? It is a common assumption that the Swiss Matura is more difficult. However, the curriculum covers the same subject matter and provides equally thorough preparation for studying at universities and ETH Zurich. The examination structure is different, though: because coursework grades do not count towards the final result, performance on the examination days themselves carries greater weight, and there is a stronger emphasis on oral examinations. On the other hand, the examination requirements are clearly defined, and past examination papers are publicly available. Unlike at public secondary schools, students are not automatically excluded based on their semester grades. We provide intensive support and work together with you and your child to decide when the time is right to register for the examinations. And if something does go wrong on an examination day, passing grades already achieved in the first part of the examination remain valid for up to two years.
Can my child transfer to a cantonal secondary school later, or transfer from one to your school? Yes, both are possible, but each case must be assessed individually.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at kuesnacht@tandem-ims.ch.
Legal basis: Ordinance on the Swiss Matura Examination, Matura Recognition Ordinance, Promotion Regulations for Secondary Schools in the Canton of Zurich.