Upper secondary level

In 2021, 108 484 diplomas were awarded at the upper secondary level. 66 067 diplomas were delivered in vocational education and training and 42 417 in general education courses.

Upper secondary level diplomas, change in numbers since 2000

Training type	2000	2010	2015	2020	2021
Total	84 295	104 518	109 400	112 860	108 484
Male	43 590	53 343	55 107	57 594	55 189
Female	40 705	51 175	54 293	55 266	53 295
Vocational education and training (VET)	60 164	68 154	69 668	70 194	66 067
Male	32 128	37 620	37 835	39 230	37 148
Female	28 036	30 534	31 833	30 964	28 919
General education	24 131	36 364	39 732	42 666	42 417
Male	11 462	15 723	17 272	18 364	18 041
Female	12 669	20 641	22 460	24 302	24 376

Sources: FSO - Vocational education and training statistics (SBG-SFPI), Statistics on certificates (SBA)
Data as of: June 2022

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 30% in the past 20 years. This increase is mainly driven by the growth of vocational Baccalaureates - especially between 2000 and 2005 - as well as by the introduction of specialised Baccalaureates. Because of double degrees, the trend is less marked in terms of student numbers as vocational Baccalaureates students obtain at the same time a diploma in vocational education and training. The number of academic Baccalaureates has remained fairly stable over this time period.

Related topics

Pupils - Upper secondary education

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