Overview of the General Education System

Liechtenstein's education system is significantly shaped by its relationship with nearby Switzerland. Due to the country's small size and limited population of 34,498, it does not allow it to provide a complete, independent education system at all levels. The two countries share important features in their approaches to education. This includes the types of schools available, the subjects taught, and the overall standards for teaching and learning. The systems also align in terms of the qualifications students receive upon completing their education.

As a result, Liechtenstein maintains formal cooperation with Switzerland and Austria to ensure comprehensive access to vocational training, advanced professional education, and tertiary education. This cooperation is supported by bilateral and intergovernmental agreements that allow Liechtenstein students to study abroad with equivalent status and state financial support.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Education, and Environment (Ministerium für Inneres, Bildung und Umwelt) oversees the education system, with administrative operations managed by the Schools Office (Schulamt). The Schulamt regulates teacher employment, salary standards, school inspection, curriculum development, and educational materials across all pre-primary, primary, and secondary institutions. Vocational education is jointly administered by the National Authority of Vocational Education (Amt für Berufsbildung) and the Council of Vocational Education (Berufsbildungsrat).

The education system is structured into multiple levels: voluntary pre-primary education for ages 4–5, primary education taken for 5 years, lower secondary education taken for 4 years, and upper secondary education, which varies depending on the academic or vocational pathway. German is the sole official language and the primary language of instruction at all levels.

Liechtenstein offers both public and private educational institutions. Public primary schools are managed at the municipal level, while private schools such as the Waldorf School and the Formatio Bilingual Private School operate independently but receive government subsidies per student.

In addition, Liechtenstein’s education system also emphasizes inclusion and support for students with special educational needs. They offer both integrated support within mainstream schools and specialized services such as the Remedial Education Centre (HPZ) in Schaan. These provisions ensure that all students, regardless of ability, receive tailored educational support.

Liechtenstein has achieved a 100% literacy rate. According to 2021 World Bank data, gross enrollment stood at 102% for primary education, 118.73% for secondary education, and 46.02% for tertiary education. The education system emphasizes academic and vocational preparation, including a strong dual apprenticeship model that integrates practical experience with classroom learning.

Compulsory education in Liechtenstein lasts for nine years. It begins at age seven and continues through the completion of lower secondary education. Even though kindergarten is voluntary, it is nearly universal in practice, since 99% of children aged 4 to 5 enrolled in the two-year pre-primary programs.

Primary education spans five years, and each municipality operates its own primary school. This level is followed by secondary, in which students are placed into one of three types of lower secondary schools, based on academic performance and teacher-parent evaluations. The Oberschule, Realschule, or Gymnasium.

The Oberschule offers a more general curriculum and prepares students for vocational education. The Realschule focuses on practical and academic subjects and allows students to transition to more rigorous academic paths, including the Gymnasium.

The Gymnasium, which encompasses both lower and upper secondary education, is the most academically demanding and prepares students for university. It is structured into two cycles. The first, which lasts for three years, forms part of lower secondary education. The second, a four-year upper secondary program, leads to the Matura (Maturity Certificate). Admission to Gymnasium is performance-based, with 20–25% of students entering directly, while others may transfer from Realschule after meeting academic standards or passing an entrance examination.

The Matura qualifies graduates for unrestricted access to universities in Austria, Switzerland, and institutions like the University of Tübingen in Germany. For students pursuing vocational education, the Berufsmittelschule (Vocational Upper Secondary School) offers a three-year program that leads to the Berufsmatura (Vocational Maturity Certificate). This credential allows for university admission within Liechtenstein and Austria, and for entry into Swiss universities of applied sciences.

Furthermore, an optional 10th year of schooling is available for students seeking further preparation before entering vocational or academic training.

Liechtenstein’s higher education sector is small but internationally integrated. They provide academic higher education and access to professional and vocational post-secondary education through partnerships. The country implemented the Bologna Process in 2004, establishing a three-cycle degree structure aligned with European standards.

The legal framework for higher education is defined by the Law on Higher Education (Hochschulgesetz) of 25 November 2004 and the Ordinance on Higher Education (Hochschulverordnung) of 16 August 2011. These laws govern the approval, accreditation, and operation of higher education institutions and programs. All institutions must be approved by the government and accredited by a quality assurance agency recognized by Liechtenstein authorities.

Liechtenstein has three primary higher education institutions that cater to various fields of study. The University of Liechtenstein (Hochschule Liechtenstein) emphasizes business, architecture, and entrepreneurship, providing students with the skills needed for the modern workforce. The Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein (UFL) offers specialized programs in medicine and law, preparing students for careers in these vital sectors. There is also the International Academy of Philosophy (IAP), which focuses on philosophy, fostering critical thinking and intellectual discourse among its students. Altogether, these institutions contribute to a diverse and robust educational landscape in Liechtenstein.

The University of Liechtenstein offers Bachelor’s programs taken for three years and Master’s programs taken for one and a half to two years. Doctoral education began in the 2009–2010 academic year, starting with a PhD in business economics, with additional doctoral offerings planned in architecture. However, due to limited subject offerings within the country, approximately 75% of students holding the Matura pursue tertiary education abroad, primarily in neighboring countries such as Switzerland and Austria.

Admission to Liechtenstein’s universities typically requires a Matura or equivalent secondary school qualification. The government ensures international recognition of its credentials and actively supports students' access to foreign institutions through participation in agreements such as the Inter-Cantonal Higher Professional Education and Training Agreement (Interkantonale Fachschulvereinbarung). This agreement enables Liechtenstein students to attend Swiss higher vocational institutions under the same conditions as domestic students.

Liechtenstein is also included in the joint governance of the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST) and the University of Teacher Education in Special Needs in Zurich. This is to ensure further access to advanced and specialized fields. Although Liechtenstein does not operate its own higher professional education and training institutions, it fulfills this need through international cooperation and targeted funding arrangements. These partnerships make it possible for Liechtenstein citizens to pursue high-quality tertiary and professional education despite the limited institutional offerings within the country.