What is the Passerelle - or (more precisely) the
Supplementary examination Passerelle Berufsmaturität/Fachmaturität - Universities?

The Passerelle is the supplementary examination or university entrance examination with which holders of a vocational or technical baccalaureate certificate can gain access to all* Bachelor's degree programs at the universities (universities, ETH) and the teacher training colleges PH in Switzerland.

The Passerelle supplementary examination is offered by the Swiss Baccalaureate Commission SMK and is held twice a year by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI in three language regions. Those who pass it receive a certificate which, together with the vocational baccalaureate certificate or the specialized baccalaureate certificate, grants access to university studies.

Please note: The Passerelle certificate is not equivalent to the baccalaureate. It only provides access to foreign universities at those universities that recognize the Passerelle certificate.


* Access is restricted without a passerelle:

  • With the Pedagogy baccalaureate, you have direct access to the Bachelor's degree program for preschool and primary school teachers at a university of applied sciences.
  • The vocational baccalaureate gives you direct access to Bachelor's degree programs at universities of applied sciences, namely those that are related to your profession.
  • (No access to universities and ETHs)

Directly to providers of "Passerelle preparation course"