Self-test for the vocational baccalaureate after the apprenticeship (BM2): Is this course the right one for me?
Are you interested in the vocational baccalaureate after your apprenticeship (BM2)? Does the vocational baccalaureate after apprenticeship meet your expectations and needs? Find out now!
Your advantages with our self-test:
- For each answer option "Yes", "Partly", "No", you will receive further information tailored to it
- The final result will provide you with an overview of suitable providers / schools
- Finally, we also give you helpful tips for finding the right school for you
What is the vocational baccalaureate and what is it good for? What does BM2 mean?
The vocational baccalaureate builds on the 3- or 4-year apprenticeship with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) and serves to expand general education.
This opens up the following possibilities:
- The vocational baccalaureate enables students to study for a Bachelor's degree at a university of applied sciences in the field of the apprenticeship profession without having to take an examination.
- After passing the Passerelle examination, the vocational baccalaureate opens up access to a university of teacher education (without restriction in terms of subject area) as well as to Swiss universities and the ETH.
There are 3 routes to the vocational baccalaureate:
- Independently, through individual preparation and direct completion of the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate Examination (EBMP)
- by attending classes at a state-subsidized vocational baccalaureate school during basic vocational training (BM1)
- through a preparatory course at a state-subsidized or private vocational baccalaureate school after completing the vocational apprenticeship (BM2)
Question 1:
Are you interested in the opportunities that a vocational baccalaureate opens up?
Great! Then you've come to the right place with this course. We wish you lots of fun and success.
If you wish to study at a university of applied sciences in a different subject area, additional admission requirements such as internships (in the desired subject area), aptitude tests, etc. may apply.
You can also advance your career without a vocational baccalaureate or a degree from a university of applied sciences:
- If you would like to continue your training in the profession you have learned and prepare for your first management tasks, the professional examination is a sensible next step for you.
- If you want to stay in your industry but would like to broaden rather than deepen your knowledge and acquire new topics and skills, you should take a look at the courses offered by higher technical colleges. Perhaps you would be right at home in an HF continuing education program.
If you wish to study at a university of applied sciences in a different subject area, additional admission requirements such as internships (in the desired subject area), aptitude tests, etc. may apply.
You can also advance your career without a vocational baccalaureate or a degree from a university of applied sciences:
- If you would like to continue your training in the profession you have learned and prepare for your first management tasks, the professional examination is a sensible next step for you.
- If you want to stay in your industry but would like to broaden rather than deepen your knowledge and acquire new topics and skills, you should take a look at the courses offered by higher technical colleges. Perhaps you would be right at home in an HF continuing education program.
Target group and skills: Who is the vocational baccalaureate suitable for after the apprenticeship? What qualities and skills are required?
The BM2 courses are aimed at:
- Ambitious professionals with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) who wish to qualify to study at a university of applied sciences or possibly at a teacher training college or university.
- High-achieving professionals who have completed an apprenticeship with an EFZ and would like to improve their general education in order to move into more demanding positions.
Candidates who wish to take the vocational baccalaureate should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Enjoy acquiring new knowledge
- Willingness to perform and learn
- Quick comprehension
- Self-motivation and determination
- Organizational skills
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving ability
- Ability to work in a team
- Flexibility, adaptability
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great! Continue with the self-test...
- Do you not belong to the target group, for example because you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or you have a federal vocational certificate (EBA)? Then find out about a corresponding supplementary apprenticeship to the EFZ. TheVocational training office of your canton of residencewill be happy to provide you with information.
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you will not be happy with this vocational baccalaureate course. Look out for further education opportunities that are better suited to your skills, for example courses leading to a "school certificate / diploma".
Requirements for admission to the BM2 preparatory course (vocational baccalaureate after the apprenticeship):
A federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) is required for admission to the BM2 vocational baccalaureate courses.
Please note: Admission to vocational baccalaureate further education is regulated by canton. Some cantons require an entrance examination (so-called "central entrance examination, ZAP"). Under certain conditions, admission without an examination is also possible, for example if the average grade of the school subjects is at least 4.75.
The vocational baccalaureate schools provide detailed information here. You will find a helpful link in the answers.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great!
One thing is certain: find out about the specific admission requirements (and any entrance examination) from the vocational training office in your canton of residence or from the schools where you could imagine attending a BM2 course.Hereyou will find a list of addresses of the vocational training offices.
If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
Safe is safeFind out about the specific admission requirements (and any entrance examination) from the vocational training office in your canton of residence or from the schools where you could imagine attending a BM2 course.Hereyou will find a list of addresses of the vocational training offices.
Would you like to know whether it is possible for you to enter without an exam? Many schools with vocational baccalaureate programs offer a corresponding grade calculator. So ask the school of your choice directly.
If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
Safe is safeFind out about the specific admission requirements (and any entrance examination) from the vocational training office in your canton of residence or from the schools where you could imagine attending a BM2 course.Hereyou will find a list of addresses of the vocational training offices.
Would you like to know whether it is possible for you to enter without an exam? Many schools with vocational baccalaureate programs offer a corresponding grade calculator. So ask the school of your choice directly.
Subject matter and content of the training
The vocational baccalaureate course prepares students for the Bachelor's degree programs at universities of applied sciences that are related to their profession.
The vocational baccalaureate after the apprenticeship (BM2) is available in five different tracks:
- Technology, architecture and life sciences
- Nature, landscape and food
- Economy and services
- Design and art
- Health and social affairs
The lessons mainly serve to expand general education. The subjects taught in all five specializations are divided into three areas: the foundation area, the focus area and the supplementary area.
TheBasic areaincludes:
- 1st national language
- 2nd national language
- 3. language
- Mathematics
TheFocus areasfrom which two are generally to be chosen (according to the specifications of the chosen field of study in accordance with the framework curriculum):
- Finance and accounting
- Design, art, culture
- Information and communication
- Mathematics
- Natural sciences
- Social sciences
- Economy and law
In theSupplementary areatwo of the following three courses must be chosen (depending on the chosen field of study, two subjects are already allocated):
- History and politics
- Technology and environment
- Economy and law
In addition to teaching subject-specific content, the vocational baccalaureate also aims to promote methodological skills as well as social and personal skills. This is achieved through interdisciplinary project work (IDPA). In the project work, students independently write a paper on a project that also makes reference to at least two of the vocational baccalaureate subjects and the world of work.
Good to know:
Some vocational baccalaureate schools offer bilingual teaching (so-called "billingual teaching"). This means that some subjects are taught in German and English in the basic curriculum.
In addition, it is sometimes possible to take the final examination in two languages, which is also noted accordingly on the grade card ("multilingual vocational baccalaureate")
Question 4:
Are you interested in the topics offered in your field of specialization? Can you imagine doing such an apprenticeship?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
- If you are looking for even more general education, find out about the subsequent Passerelle courses. Or about taking the baccalaureate directly.
- If the subjects are too general for you, find out about more job-specific further training courses. Perhaps studying at a higher technical college (HF) would suit you better. Here are a few links to get you started:
- If you are looking for even more general education, find out about the subsequent Passerelle courses. Or about taking the baccalaureate directly.
- If the subjects are too general for you, find out about more job-specific further training courses. Perhaps studying at a higher technical college (HF) would suit you better. Here are a few links to get you started:
Costs and financing of further training
The vocational baccalaureate counts as basic education and is therefore financed by the cantons - provided that the training takes place at a state-subsidized school. If you meet the admission criteria and complete the course at a subsidized school in your canton of residence, you only pay the registration fee and the costs for teaching materials/teaching aids, any project weeks, language stays or external language certificates, i.e. a total of around CHF 1,700 - CHF 3,200.
Students who live outside the canton in which the vocational baccalaureate course is located must expect higher costs, as they have to pay the school fees: approx. CHF 18,000.
If you complete the BM2 preparatory course at a private school, you will also have to expect higher costs: between CHF 12,500 and CHF 18,500.
In addition: Think about the costs of the journey to school and any meals out.
Question 5:
Are you able to pay for the course?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the entire cost of a non-subsidized BM2 further education course in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
You can find information on financial support options from your employer, the federal government, the canton, foundations or loans from the EducaSwiss Foundation in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Duration of study, training options, number of teaching hours, teaching format and learning effort
- The vocational baccalaureate course (BM2) comprises at least 1440 lessons. It is available in two different versions:
- 1 year full-time with 36 lessons plus an average of 8-12 hours of self-study per week
- 3-4 semesters part-time (part-time) with 15-25 lessons per week in day, evening or Saturday courses. The time required for homework and exam preparation is approx. 4-6 hours, depending on the course model and previous education. It is not advisable to work more than 50% of the time while studying.
- The course is usually offered in classroom teaching. However, there are also offers in distance or online format (e.g. online teaching or hybrid teaching). Please contact the school of your choice directly to find out which teaching formats are offered.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A good study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you are struggling to find enough time, choose a course that is as long as possible, i.e. 4 semesters. This will take you longer to complete the vocational baccalaureate examination, but you will need to spend less time per week on lessons and homework.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
The final examination differs depending on which vocational baccalaureate school you attend:
- With theState-subsidized vocational baccalaureate schoolseach subject (written, partly oral) is examined at the end of the training with an "in-house vocational baccalaureate examination". The preliminary grades are often added to the final grade.
- Withprivate vocational baccalaureate schoolsWith an in-house vocational baccalaureate examination, it is sometimes possible to complete certain subjects beforehand.
- Persons who have aPrivate vocational baccalaureate school without in-house vocational baccalaureate examinationas well as persons who have independently prepared for the BM2 examination must take the so-called "Federal Vocational Baccalaureate Examination (EBMP)" (external).
There are fixed registration and examination dates for the federal examination, which can be found on theWebsiteof the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The subjects are examined on the basis of two partial examinations (written, partly oral). Any previous marks from the BM2 school are not taken into account in the federal examination. A list of the examination parts according to the respective orientation (form and duration) ishereto find.
Diploma and title
Successful graduates receive the federally recognized "vocational baccalaureate certificate".
- In French: Certificat de maturité professionnelle
- In Italian: Attestato di maturità professionale
- In Romansh: Attestat da maturitad professionala
The recommended English designation is: Federal Vocational Baccalaureate.
Question 7:
Are you confident that you can pass the vocational baccalaureate after your apprenticeship (BM2)?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams. On the SERI website you will find older examinations as sample examinations to prepare for the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate examination.
If you have any doubts about whether you can pass the exams, take a look at the timetables, content and requirements of the various schools. Perhaps a concrete idea of what you will learn will help you decide.
We also recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams. On the SERI website you will find older examinations as sample examinations to prepare for the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate examination.
If you are not at all confident about passing the final exam but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, the vocational baccalaureate (BM2) does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further education. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
The vocational baccalaureate (BM2) is probably not the right further education goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
That's a half-hearted result: the vocational baccalaureate preparation course doesn't seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't suit you or doesn't fit well in terms of organization?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Vocational baccalaureate training is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Vocational baccalaureate after the apprenticeship (BM2)"
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