INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences)

Internationale Akademie (International Academy)

Universität (University)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Berufsmaturitätszeugnis

Maturazeugnis

Bachelor

Master

Doctorate

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 6

Age of exit: 15

Structure of school system:

Primary

Type of school providing this education: Primarschule

Length of program in years: 5

Age level from: 6 to: 11

Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate 5th grade

Lower Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Oberschule; Realschule

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 11 to: 15

Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate Oberschule, Leaving Certificate Realschule

Lower Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Gymnasium (lower cycle)

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 11 to: 14

Upper Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Voluntary Tenth School Year (Freiwilliges 10. Schuljahr) (for Gymnasium students)

Length of program in years: 1

Age level from: 16 to: 17

Certificate/diploma awarded: Leaving Certificate

Senior Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Gymnasium

Length of program in years: 4

Age level from: 15 to: 18

Certificate/diploma awarded: Maturazeugnis

Vocational

Type of school providing this education: Berufsmittelschule

Length of program in years: 2

Age level from: 19 to: 21

Certificate/diploma awarded: Berufsmaturitätszeugnis

School education:

Primary education lasts for five years. Lower secondary education is provided by three types of schools: Oberschule (4 years) , Realschule (4 years), and Gymnasium (3 years). A lower secondary school Certificate is issued to those who have successfully completed the four-year programme. Students in the Gymnasium have to attend an additional year in one of the other schools or in the upper level of the Gymnasium. Upper secondary education is provided by the Freiwilliges 10. Schuljahr, the Gymnasium and the Berufsmittelschule. The voluntary 10th school year seeks to provide young people with the best preparation for their vocational and personal future. In addition to the core subjects, 3 different option-groups are offered: 1. Languages 2. Information technology and design 3. School and social learning. After passing a final examination, students obtain a school-leaving certificate. The Gymnasium offers 5 different option-groups: 1. Languages including Latin 2. Modern languages including a third and fourth living language 3. Art, music and pedagogy 4. Business and law 5. Maths and natural sciences. At the end of the Gymnasium Oberstufe, students take the Matura examination (final school leaving examination), which entitles them to enter universities in both Switzerland and Austria and the University of Tubingen in Germany without passing an examination. At the Berufsmittelschule, students further develop the knowledge and skills that they acquired during their vocational training. Based on their interests and vocational aims students can choose from the following four option-groups: 1. Design 2. Information and communication technologies 3. Engineering 4. Business. The Berufsmaturiätsprüfung is conferred at the end of the Berufsmittelschule leading to the Berufsmaturitätszeugnis, which entitles students to study at all university-level institutions and universities in Liechtenstein and Austria as well as universities of applied science in Switzerland.

Higher education:

Since the law governing higher education came into effect in 1992, Liechtenstein has a limited tertiary-education sector. In addition, Liechtenstein has contractual arrangements with Switzerland, Austria and Baden-Württemberg (Tübingen), allowing students free entry to the universities in these countries.

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Higher Education Law (Hochschulgesetz) (Liechtensteinisches Landesgesetzblatt LGBL Nr. 5/2005) Year: 2005

Decree: The Colleges of Applied Science, Universities and Research Establishments Act, Liechtensteinisches Landesgesetzblatt (LGBL) 106/92 Year: 1992

Academic year:

Classes from: Oct to: Jul

Long vacation from: 15 Jul to: 30 Sep

Languages of instruction: German, English

Stages of studies:

University level studies:

University level first stage: Bachelor:

The final examination organized at the end of the first cycle of university studies which lasts for at least 6 and at most 12 semesters leads to the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science.

University level second stage: Master:

The final examination organized at the end of the second cycle university studies which lasts for at least 4 and at most 8 semesters leads to the following degrees: Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration (Entrepreneurship), Master of Science (Banking & Financial Management, Business Information System).

University level third stage: Doctor:

On successful completion of doctoral studies (4 semesters), students are awarded the title of Doktor der Philosophie (Dr. Phil.) at the Internationalen Akademie fûr Philosophies (IAP) and Dr. Scient. Med. at the University of Human Sciences. At the end of 1 to 2 semesters of studies at the Fachhochschule a certificate is awarded to students who have passed the Prüfung zum Abschluss eines Hochschullehrganges. Depending on the field of studies the certificates are: Zertifizierter Private Banker FH und Liechtensteinischer Treuhandsachverstä FH. At the end of 3 to 4 semesters of studies at the Fachhochschule the following diplomas are awarded to students who have passed the Nachdiplomprüfung: Diplomierter Wirtschaftsingenieur NDS, Diplomierter Baumanager NDS, Diplomierter Private Banking Experte DS. On successful completion of doctoral studies (4 semesters) at the Internationalen Akademie für Philosophie (IAP) students are awarded the following academic title: Doktor der Philosophie (Dr. phil.). On successful completion of doctoral studies (4 semesters) at the University of Human Sciences (UfH) students are awarded the following academic titles: Doctor der Philosophie (Dr. phil.) Doktor der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. Nat.).

Teacher education:

Training of secondary school teachers

Since Liechtenstein does not have its own teacher training establishments, training takes place abroad. Teacher diplomas from Switzerland, Austria and Germany are recognized and accepted.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Education

Head: Hugo Quaderer, Minister

Regierungebäude, Städtle 49
FL-9490 Vaduz
Liechtenstein

Tel: +423 2366111

Fax: +423 2366022

EMail: bildungswesen@rft.llv.li

WWW: http://www.liechtenstein.li

Schulamt (Office of Education)

Head: Guido Wolfinger, Chief Officer

Administrative officer: Helmut Konrad, Head, Department of Higher Education

Austrasse 79
FL-9490 Vaduz
Liechtenstein

Tel: +423 2366770

Fax: +423 2366771

EMail: info@sa.llv.li

WWW: http://www.sa.llv.li

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Berufsmaturitätszeugnis

Minimum score/requirement: 4

For entry to: All university-level institutions and universities in Liechtenstein and Austria, universities of applied sciences in Switzerland and the University of Tübingen (Germany)

Name of secondary school credential required: Maturazeugnis

Minimum score/requirement: 4

For entry to: All university-level institutions in Liechtenstein, Austria and Switzerland

Foreign students admission

Admission requirements: A short-stay permit can be granted for the duration of one semester or one academic year to students wishing to attend a recognized educational institution in Liechtenstein  when: a) the educational institution confirms in writing that the student can take up or continue the studes concerned (confirmation of registration); b) the financial means are sufficient; c) proof of the required health insurance protection is provided; d) the student has the linguistic competences for the course concerned. A prolongation is possible according to the length of studies.

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

National Information Centre for Academic Recognition and Mobility (NARIC)

Head: Helmut Konrad, Department of Higher Education

Austrasse 79
FL-9490 Vaduz
Liechtenstein

Tel: +423 2366758

Fax: +423 2366771

STUDENT LIFE

Student expenses and financial aid

Type of financial aid available:

Scholarships/grants/fellowships:

Higher vocational/technical studies:

Home: Yes

First Degree studies:

Home: Yes

Bodies providing information on student financial aid:

Stipendienstelle

Austrasse 79
FL-9490 Vaduz
Liechtenstein

Tel: +423 2366778

Deals with: Grants and Loans

Category of students: Residents in Liechtenstein for at least three years in a row or 5 years otherwise. A new law has come into force aiming at : a) achieving an overall improvement in the support available for full time and continuous education; b) offering equal opportunity for vocational training and university education; c) moving towards student loans.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:

Socrates Office, Schulamt

Head: Helmut Konrad, Director

Austrasse 79
FL-9490 Vaduz
Liechtenstein

Tel: +423 2366758

Fax: +423 2366771

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes

Name of exchange programme: Leonardo

Name of exchange programme: Socrates (Erasmus)

GRADING SYSTEM

Usual grading system in secondary school

Full Description: A numerical grading system ranging from 6 to 1 is used.

Highest on scale: 6

Pass/fail level: 4

Lowest on scale: 1

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2005-2006

Source: IAU from Schulamt, Liechtenstein, 2006