⏱ 2 min read
Background
The gymnasium baccalaureate (maturité gymnasiale) gives access without examination to universities and universities of teacher education. Its last major revision dates back almost 30 years. Its objectives have been updated at national level. The Canton of Neuchâtel has been preparing its implementation for five years through the Evolution of the Gymnasium Baccalaureate project (EVMG-NE).
The key points
The 10 November 2026, the Neuchâtel State Council put its EVMG-NE draft report out for consultation until 18 December 2026. State Councillor Crystel Graf, head of the Department of Education and Finance, presented it with Laurence Knoepfler Chevalley, head of the Post-compulsory Education and Guidance Service.
The baccalaureate will go from three to four years and the new system will apply from 2032. The State Council opts for a mixed system: pupils will be able to enter upper secondary school after the 10th or 11th year. Four entry routes are planned, compared with only one today: direct access based on criteria and an optional examination, after each of these two years.
The 11th-year timetable will be standardised at 34 periods, one fewer than at present, to align with the French-speaking Swiss curriculum (PER). An additional period will be devoted to educational and career guidance.
Key figures
- 4 years : new length of the baccalaureate, compared with 3 today
- 4 routes of access to upper secondary school, compared with only one at present
- 34 periods : standardised 11th-year timetable
- 2032 : entry into force of the new system
What it means for businesses
- Training companies : an additional guidance period in the 11th year should help pupils get to know the working world better
- Neuchâtel education system : the canton aims for fewer final failures and late changes of course
What's next
- Consultation open until 18 December 2026
- Entry into force of the new baccalaureate from 2032
Further reading
Sources
- Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel – The State Council presents the details of its project to reform the gymnasium baccalaureate (official source)
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