At the end of the Baccalaureate programme, a written Baccalaureate examination, which may also be supplemented by oral examinations is taken in at least five Baccalaureate subjects. The examination subjects are the first language, a second national language, mathematics, the specialised subject and one further subject. The Baccalaureate grades are determined by:

the performance in the examination subjects and the performance during the final year of education
the performance in the remaining subjects during the last year of education in which the respective subject was taught
the assessment of the Baccalaureate essay

The Baccalaureate essay is a larger self-directed piece of work, which the students develop and present. It is usually written in the penultimate or final year of Baccalaureate programme. The Federal Council's Ordinance on Recognition of Baccalaureate (MAV) respectively the Regulation on Recognition of Baccalaureate (MAR) issued by the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) regulate the norms for obtaining a Baccalaureate. The Baccalaureate basically entitles the holder to enrol directly in cantonal universities, Federal Institutes of Technology (FIT) and universities of teacher education. For universities of applied sciences, additional requirements are to be fulfilled.

Leaving certificate