Upper secondary education and training builds on the 10th year in lower secondary education. Upper secondary education and training leads to university admissions certification, vocational competence or basic competence.You have to apply for a place in upper secondary education and training.

Upper secondary education and training is normally provided with 3 years in school or with 2 years in school and 2 years in an enterprise.

 

 

 

General studies or vocational education?

Upper secondary education and training is the gateway to working life and to further studies. This is why upper secondary education and training differentiates between general studies and vocational studies.

General studies primarily emphasize theoretical knowledge and lead to university admissions certification. If you choose general studies courses, you can take further studies at a university college or university after 3 years.

Vocational education and training leads to an occupation and to vocational competence with or without a trade or journeyman’s certificate. Choosing vocational education/training allows you to enter working life within 3–5 years or you may take further education, for instance at a tertiary vocational college . You also have the opportunity to take the supplementary programme for general university admissions certification if you want to take further studies at a university college or university.

Key map

The structure of upper secondary education and training is shown on the key map. The colour code clearly shows the education that takes place at school (yellow) and the training that takes place at a training establishment (green). The blue boxes indicate the level of competence you have achieved after completing your training.