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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
