Education / Types of schools
The education system of the Principality of Liechtenstein is influenced by the school systems of the German-speaking countries. The neighboring country of Switzerland exerts a particular influence on the school structure and educational content.
Liechtenstein can offer its youth an education from elementary school to a university degree, although theoretical vocational training takes place in Swiss vocational schools. The higher the school level, the less broad the offer due to the small size of the country, and depending on the field of study, Liechtensteiners often also acquire their further degrees at higher vocational schools and universities in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
On the other hand, Liechtenstein is also a regional center of education. At the University of Liechtenstein, which focuses on economics and architecture, well over half of the students come from abroad, especially from the Swiss and Austrian neighborhoods.
In kindergarten and compulsory education, the Liechtensteiner Lehrplan "LiLe" has aligned the curriculum for public schools with the Swiss curriculum 21 of the German-speaking Swiss cantons since 2019. Children take their first step into the Liechtenstein school system from the age of four. Almost all children attend the Kindergarten for two years, where they are prepared in a playful and activity-oriented manner for the five-level primary school. This is followed by the tripartite secondary level. The lower secondary level lasts four years and includes the three school types Oberschule, Realschule and the Unterstufengymnasium. The permeability of the three types of schools is optimized to such an extent that a change after almost every school year is possible with the appropriate prerequisites.
After compulsory schooling, various paths are open in general or vocational education. The voluntary 10th school year offers various profiles and focuses for orientation on the path to vocational education. The Liechtenstein Gymnasium provides a broad general education at the upper secondary level, leading to university entrance with the Matura. After completion of the vocational apprenticeship, the Vocational Maturity School (BMS) Liechtenstein leads to the vocational baccalaureate on a part-time or full-time basis.
In Liechtenstein, basic vocational training is based on the dual system with practical training in an apprenticing company and accompanying theoretical training in a vocational school. While there are sufficient training companies in Liechtenstein itself, the young professionals complete vocational school in Switzerland. The vocational baccalaureate certificate from the Vocational baccalaureate school Liechtenstein allows students to attend all technical colleges in Switzerland as well as universities in Liechtenstein and Austria.
The national education strategy focuses more on ensuring educational success for all and promoting lifelong learning. Learning-friendly educational institutions represent an inclusive attitude and are based on the realization of the rights of all learners. Liechtenstein's school system therefore offers a range of school-based support measures. These include, among others, early language support, special enrollment, supplementary instruction by school remedial teachers, speech therapy measures, or additional instruction for children with German as a second language
In addition to the state schools, two private schools are also licensed in Liechtenstein. The Liechtenstein Waldorf School, which teaches on the basis of Rudolf Steiner's pedagogy, and the formatio, which offers education from elementary school through secondary school to senior high school.
Parallel to the basic education in elementary school and one of the secondary schools runs the special education day school for children and young people with special learning needs. The Heilpädagogisches Zentrum (hpz) is a non-profit foundation under private law based in Schaan. As a life-oriented and action-oriented school, the special education school strives for the highest possible independence of the students in order to ensure the best possible coping with everyday life.
In Liechtenstein, there are two universities with the right to award academic titles: the state-run University of Liechtenstein with degree programs in economics and architecture from the bachelor's to the master's to the doctoral level, and the private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein (UFL), which conducts doctoral programs in law and medical sciences. In addition, there is a university-like research institution without title rights: the Liechtenstein Institute as a scientific research center for specifically Liechtenstein topics.