Upper secondary level

In 2022, 108 520 diplomas were awarded at the upper secondary level.
65 831 diplomas were delivered in vocational education and training and 42 689 in general education courses.

Upper secondary level diplomas, change in numbers since 2005

Training type	2005	2010	2015	2020	2022
Total	90 040	104 518	109 400	112 856	108 520
Male	46 822	53 343	55 112	57 598	55 412
Female	43 218	51 175	54 288	55 258	53 108
Vocational education and training (VET)	59 774	68 154	69 653	70 193	65 831
Male	33 151	37 620	37 825	39 230	37 274
Female	26 623	30 534	31 828	30 963	28 557
General education	30 266	36 364	39 747	42 663	42 689
Male	13 671	15 723	17 287	18 368	18 138
Female	16 595	20 641	22 460	24 295	24 551

Sources: FSO - Vocational education and training statistics (SBG-SFPI), Statistics on certificates (SBA)
Data as of: May 2023

Upper secondary level is made up of two major axes. Firstly, there is vocational education and training (VET) which leads to the award of a federal VET diploma or a federal VET certificate. Secondly, there is general education which covers programmes leading to the baccalaureate (academic, vocational, specialised) as well as courses of study in an upper secondary specialised school. Transitional and supplementary courses complete the offer at upper secondary level.

Diplomas at the upper secondary level have risen by 20% in the past 20 years. This progression is mainly driven by the growth of vocational Baccalaureates as well as by the introduction of specialised Baccalaureates and VET Certificates. The VET Diplomas and the academic Baccalaureates, the most frequently awarded diplomas at upper secondary level, have each increased by almost 15% during this period.

Related topics

Pupils - Upper secondary education

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