The Swiss education landscape
- Public schools: cantonal management, recruitment via public instruction departments (DIP)
- Private and international schools: Geneva (International School, Mont-Brillant, Brillantmont), Zurich, Basel
- Universities: ETHZ, EPFL, Basel, Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne
- HES: 9 universities of applied sciences in all fields
- Continuing education: growing market (CAS, DAS, MAS, federal diplomas)
Leading agencies
Search Associates — global reference for international schools, organises regional fairs.
Schrole Connect — platform dedicated to international schools, English-speaking profiles.
TES (The Education Service) — UK, strong placement in European international schools.
ISS (International Schools Services) — US reference for American profiles.
Hays Education — teacher placement for Swiss private schools.
Adecco Education — adult trainers, continuing education, HES missions.
Profiles and salaries
Swiss public schools (cantonal grids):
- Starting primary teacher: CHF 80-95K
- Secondary I teacher: CHF 95-115K
- Secondary II (gymnasium) teacher: CHF 110-145K
- Specialised teacher: +5-10% (sport, music, art)
- School director: CHF 130-180K
International schools (Geneva, Zurich):
- Primary IB teacher: USD 75-105K
- Secondary IB teacher: USD 85-120K
- IB coordinator / department head: USD 100-140K
- Housing often provided or subsidised
Universities and HES:
- PhD assistant: CHF 75-95K
- Post-doc: CHF 95-125K
- Teaching fellow: CHF 110-150K
- HES professor: CHF 140-200K
- EPFL/ETHZ full professor: CHF 200-300K + chair budgets
Diplomas and recognition
- Cantonal HEP: pedagogical university, mandatory training for primary/secondary I
- Specific master + teaching CAS: for gymnasium and private schools
- Foreign recognition: CDIP procedures (Conference of Cantonal Directors)
- IB / IGCSE / A-Levels: certifications required in international school
- PhD: necessary for HES and university
Tips for collaborating well
- Know the system: cantonal public, international, universities — different rules
- Mention your languages: FR + DE for public, EN + 1-2 languages for international
- Prepare your pedagogical portfolio: lesson plans, innovative projects, assessments
- Extra-curricular engagement valued: sports, theatre, debate — differentiating point
- Anticipate international fairs: intense recruitment in January-February for September
Mistakes to avoid
- Confusing cantonal and international systems: recruitment, salaries, requirements distinct
- Applying without the required HEP training for the public system
- Underestimating languages: a German-speaking Swiss secondary teacher must master Swiss German
- Neglecting cultural dimension: international schools = international mobility and adaptability required
The Swiss education market offers stability (public) or international adventure (private). Choose the agency according to your long-term vision.
