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International Baccalaureate

General Provisions

Recognition of foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates

Recognised upper secondary school-leaving certificate

  • International Baccalaureate

with the following general education subjects

  1. First language (native language)
  2. Second language
  3. Mathematics (Higher Level / Standard Level)
  4. Natural sciences (biology, chemistry or physics)
  5. Humanities and social sciences (geography, history or economics / business and management)
  6. Elective (one subject from category 2, 4 oder 5 or computer science or philosophy. Computer science and philosophy can only be chosen as a sixth subject) 

Language skills and/or exams under reserve

The following subjects are recognised

  • All languages
  • Economics or business management
  • Geography
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics: applications and interpretation standard or higher level; analysis and approaches standard or higher level
  • Computer science

Admission requirements of each university

valid for the academic year 2025/26

EPFLInternational Baccalaureate including the subjects 1) mathematics, 2) physics, and 3) chemistry, biology, or computer science at the higher level (HL) within the Diploma Programme (DP). The following additional subjects must be part of the Diploma Programme (DP) at the standard or higher level (SL or HL): 1) first modern language, 2) second modern language, and 3) history, geography, economics, or philosophy. The total number of points scored is at least 38 out of 42 (excluding bonus points) and The final grades in mathematics and physics are at least 6 out of 7. Warning: from 2025 and for a duration of at least four years, EPFL limits the number of study places to 3000 in the first year of the Bachelor’s programs and will select applicants with a foreign education on the basis of the general average grade (or total number of points) at the school-leaving certificate
ETHZ

Admission without entrance examination if the following requirements are fulfilled:

  1. 38 out of 42 points (without bonus points);
  2. At Higher Level (HL): a) Mathematics: applications and interpretation or Mathematics: analysis
    and approaches, b) physics or chemistry or biology, c) 1 language A;
  3. At Standard Level (SL): three additional subjects of the following: physics, chemistry, biology, geography, history, economics or business management, 1 further language only, computer science.

Otherwise: Reduced Entrance Examination ETHZ

BaselRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject)
In the category 6. Elective also accepted: Computer Science, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Social Anthropology
BernRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject)
FribourgRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject)
GenèveRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject) 
LausanneRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject)
LuzernRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject)
NeuchâtelRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject)
St. GallenRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject) + HSG selection procedure
ZürichRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject) 
USIRecognised with a minimum of 32 out of 42 points (not counting bonus points) and including 6 subjects, one out of each of the 6 categories mentioned above. At least 3 of these subjects must be taken at Higher Level (one of which must be mathematics or another natural sciences subject)