Post-compulsory education (secondary school II)

After compulsory schooling, young people can choose to undergo initial vocational training (do an apprenticeship). This is basic training that allows you to learn a trade.

Dual apprenticeship (company + school)

During an apprenticeship, young people work in a company. They learn the practical knowledge of the profession. And they go to vocational school one or two days a week.

This type of training is called dual apprenticeship: one part takes place in a company and the other part at vocational school.

Apprenticeship in a vocational school

It is also possible to follow an apprenticeship in a school full-time, with internships in companies.

Length of apprenticeship

An apprenticeship lasts between two and four years. Young people obtain a Federal Vocational Certificate (FVC) or a Federal Vocational Diploma (FVD).

With an apprenticeship diploma, a young person can find a job.

They can also then pursue higher vocational training and later enter a university of applied sciences.

In the last year of compulsory schooling, young people have to look for an apprenticeship in a company themselves. Parents have to help young people.

The Centre d’orientation scolaire et professionnelle et de psychologie scolaire (Centre for Educational and Vocational Guidance and School Psychology (COSP)) provides advice and guidance to young people free of charge.

The MON APP’ app helps young people find a job that interests them and identify an apprenticeship.

After compulsory schooling, young people can also choose to continue school.

They can go to high school or a specialised school.

High school

High school lasts three years and young people obtain the baccalaureate. The baccalaureate allows students to continue their studies at a university or a university of applied sciences.

The cantonal high school in Porrentruy also offers bilingual German-French schooling for young people who wish to do so.

Specialised schools

Specialised school lasts three years and young people obtain a Specialised School Diploma. After their diploma, young people can do an extra year to obtain a specialised baccalaureate. The specialised baccalaureate allows students to continue their studies at a university of applied sciences in their chosen field.

Finally, you can sit directly for the federal academic baccalaureate exams, without having to complete all of the schooling. You can prepare freely for the exams, following the curricula of a private school, or independently on a self-taught basis.

From the age of 12, young people who are high-level athletes or artists can enrol in “Sport-Arts-Etudes (Sports, Arts, Studies (SAE)”. Parents must submit a written request to the Service de l’enseignement (Teaching Service).