Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about registration
How can I register?
Apply for the school contract either by phone 044 310 10 67, mail or contact form.
or register directly for Matura, BMS or passerelle.
In order to get to know each other, the student and the school can usually take a preliminary interview in advance.
How does a contract with the Academic Gateway come about?
In order to ensure that this is the right way for the student, we carry out a location assessment with all interested parties. In addition to high resilience and perseverance, sound language skills in German, English and another national language (French or Italian), as well as basic knowledge of mathematics, are among the necessary basic skills.
Until when can I register for school?
The registration period runs until the official start of school. In some cases, late registrations can also be accepted.
I have questions about my studies and I am interested in a non-binding discussion. Who can I contact?
We would be happy to arrange an appointment with you for a personal conversation. Call us at 044 310 10 67.
What are the options for financing school fees?
With Academic Gateway, you can easily pay in monthly installments. All courses have the following payment methods: prepayment, two installments, 12 installments, 24 installments.
Are there any additional costs in addition to the school fees?
Yes, not included in school fees:
1) School supplies: CHF 900.-
2) The information on the examination fees can be found in the followingpdf.
Are there any cost differences between the full-time Matura, the Matura part-time, the year of construction and the online high school diploma?
The full-time high school diploma in one year, the part-time high school diploma and the online high school diploma have the same price, the two-year high school diploma is higher due to their extensive offer.
Can I work during school?
If you are attending a full-time course with us, we advise you not to work on the side. On the other hand, our extra-occupational courses are designed in such a way that they can pursue a workload of up to 80%.
Questions about the Academic Gateway Services
How many classes does the Academic Gateway have?
In the 2024/25 school year, 11 classes with over 200 students on site and online.
How big are the classes?
Smaller classes enable the teaching staff to focus more on the individual needs of the students.
As part of the lectures, up to 72 students can stay in the lecture room at the same time.
Are the simulation weeks mandatory?
no. Participation in the simulation weeks is voluntary. The simulation weeks include two test simulations of a complete Matura/Passerelle including correction, feedback and discussion for ideal exam preparation and a simulation phase of an ebmp.
Questions about the Matura
What previous school knowledge is required for the courses?
The final exam is very demanding and requires the safe handling of several languages as well as with scientific and mathematical topics and other secondary subjects. In order to ensure that every student is suitable for this path, we carry out an aptitude test with everyone who is interested.
Can I use the federal Do a high school exam in one go?
The examination for the Federal Matura can be taken both as a complete test and as a two-part exam. At the Academic Gateway, all students will take the two-part exam. The first partial examination takes place after the first, the second partial examination after the second semester. The examinations are carried out in Bern, Basel or Zurich by the Federal Maturity Commission.
What if I don't exist?
Academic Gateway stands for quality, respectful handling and professionalism; This is also expected of all students. Anyone who is present at least 95% of the lesson and takes 100% of all proof of performance (e.g. exams, online modules, project work, etc.) and still does not pass the Matura may repeat free of charge.
How do I catch up on the missed school material?
In our e-learning, our high school graduates will find all relevant information in the form of tasks, theory and model solutions, including all video recordings.
Is there an age limit?
In the same year, as the second partial exam, the students must have reached the age of majority.
Are my previous grades from the public high school credited?
no. Advance grades from the high school are not counted.
Are all the subjects of the Matura weighted equally?
No, the basic subjects (biology, physics, chemistry, history, geography, art) are simply weighted, the main subjects (German, English, second national language, main subject) are double or triple weighted.
Can I also choose Italian as the second national language?
Yes, it is possible to take Italian as a second national language. The courses for this are held for five or more participants.
Is it possible to change your center of gravity?
During the one-year course, this is still possible in the first semester, in the part-time course up to the beginning of the third semester.
Questions about the BMS
Do I have to take an entrance exam to take the BMS courses to complete the federal Being able to start a vocational baccalaureate examination (EBMP) at the Academic Gateway?
no. However, you must have a completed federal during the consultation. Proficiency certificate (EFZ) so that they can be sent to the federal vocational baccalaureate to be admitted.
What types of vocational baccalaureate are offered at the Academic Gateway?
We currently offer the orientation Economy & Services, Alignment Technology, Architecture, Life Sciences or Orientation Health & social on. On the one hand in face-to-face teaching (on site) and on the other hand in distance learning (virtual).
Can I choose the orientation of the BMS regardless of my EFZ?
yes In contrast to the BM1, you have the option of freely determining your desired orientation with the BM2. It would be optimal to choose the orientation in such a way that it is tailored to your later field of study.
Can I get to the university with the vocational baccalaureate certificate?
No, but to all renowned universities of applied sciences in Switzerland. For free access to the university, we offer the supplementary examination afterwards passerelle (2 semesters).
How long does the BMS take with the Academic Gateway?
2 semesters in the full-time version and max. 4 semesters in self-study.
With what workload can I complete the BMS in self-study?
We recommend a workload of max. 60-80%, depending on your individual knowledge, language certificates and your own schedule.
Will the federal Vocational maternity examination carried out at the Academic Gateway?
No, the official exam sessions will be on theSBFI websitepublished by December 1 of the previous year at the latest and will take place in Bern after the second semester.
Until when can I register for the BMS courses with the Academic Gateway?
basically until shortly before the start of the semester. However, if you register early, you benefit from an “early access” on the e-learning platform and attractive discount regulations.
Until when do I have to sign up for the federal Register a vocational baccalaureate exam on the SBFI website?
The registration deadline and the examination data for the coming year will be on the official website of the SBFI communicated.
May I have my recognized language diplomas credited?
Yes, BMS learners can have recognized language diplomas credited to the exam at the ebmp and are dispensed by the written part of the exam. The oral part of the exam still takes place.
From what level can I have my language diplomas credited?
If an attested B1 level can be shown in the languages, there is the possibility of dispensing the written examination form at the ebmp. The exception is the language level B2 in English for the type Economy.
What are the advantages for me when I complete the BMS with the support of Academic Gateway?
You can expect highly qualified teaching staff, central location, personal support with integrated free tutoring, comprehensive e-learning platform (entire school material digitized including videos in HD quality for the lectures as well as with pre-solved tasks and short explanation videos throughout the subject canon). In addition, the Academic Gateway prepares you optimally for the university of applied sciences due to the university teaching style (lectures & exercises & exercises).
Is there a way to finance school fees?
The Academic Gateway is a full-fledged private school, which is why it has to pay for the financing of the students themselves. It is possible to pay the school fees in installments.
Why should I choose a paid BMS at a private school?
As part of the BMS courses with the Academic Gateway, you will be closely accompanied, benefit from a high number of exercise lessons, integrated tutoring lessons, digitized teaching and examination documents on our e-learning platform and an experienced didactic framework For optimal preparation for a successful completion of your ebmp. The Academic Gateway is a full-fledged private school, which is why funding must be organized by the student. State financing is therefore not possible.
What are the expected external costs for e.g. teaching materials and examination fees?
The examination fees will be charged by the SBFI directly upon registration and will be in the amount of CHF 500.-
What is an IDPA?
Interdisciplinary project work (IDPA for short) is an independent work. The IDPA is part of the federal Vocational baccalaureate examination (EBMP) and is therefore considered a prerequisite for the granting of the federal vocational high school diploma.
Can I freely choose the issue of the IDPA?
No, the IDPA must be developed within the framework of the topic defined for the respective orientation on the part of the SBFI.
Will the teachers of Academic Gateway support me in developing the IDPA?
Yes, you will use the specialist teacher to create a concept for the IDPA that provides information about the planned procedure and the structure of the project work.
By when do I have to submit the IDPA?
The official deadlines of the Federal vocational baccalaureate commission. The IDPA concept will be submitted by April 15 at the latest and must be submitted to the SBFI’s examination session by June 15 at the latest.
What later educational paths are open to me after the BMS?
With the Federal vocational baccalaureate certificate, you have an examination-free access to all universities of applied sciences in Switzerland. You also have the opportunity to gain direct access to all universities in Switzerland with the supplementary examination Passerelle.
Questions about the passerelle
What are the requirements for admission to the passerellen examinations?
The passport examinations are organized by the State Secretariat for Education and Research SBFI. There are two examinations each year in the three language regions. The preparation for the supplementary exam Passerelle is free. Holders of a vocational baccalaureate certificate or a certificate of high school diploma will be admitted to the courses. There are no other admission requirements.
Can I also go to Europe and worldwide with the Passerelle?
no. The certificate of the supplementary examination does not legally constitute a high school diploma.
Do I have to choose French?
no. Passerelle students also have the opportunity to choose English as a second language.
How many lessons do I have lessons per week?
Around 28 lessons take place per week.
Under what conditions can I enroll for the passerelle course?
A completed vocational or specialist high school diploma is required to participate in the Passerelle.
From what level can I have my language diplomas credited?
In contrast to the BMS, there is no way to credit language certificates in the Passerelle.
Do I have to write some kind of Matura thesis?
No, there is no additional written work for the passerelle such as the IDPA or the Matura thesis.
Questions about e-learning
How can I log into the e-learning area?
You have received an email requesting a renewal of your password. Once you have completed this process, you can log in.
I did not receive my login details.
It may be that the email prompted to renew your password in the spam folder. If you still don’t have access, send a message to it.support@academic-gateway.ch
Can I have the e-learning access extended free of charge in the event of an exam failure?
A free renewal is not provided, but we offer an attractive renewal offer. For more information please contact us.
Questions about the free repetition
What does "free repetition" mean?
The free repetition describes the full participation in a further run of the failed course, including the purchase of all associated additional services.
What are the requirements for a free repetition?
The following points must have been cumulatively fulfilled by the student:
- The student must not have passed after receiving the diploma;
- The student must have attended the official final exams in the data provided;
- The physical attendance rate of 95% over the entire course (including tutoring lessons), including absence due to illness, must not have been undercut at the time of the last day of school;
- The 100% fulfillment rate for the soft and hard learning controls must not have been undercut at the time of the last day of school.
In which courses is a free repetition possible?
A free repetition is possible in the following courses:
- Matura full time
- Matura part-time
- Online Matura
Courses without a free repetition from the 2022/2023 school year
No free repetition is planned for the following courses from the 2022/2023 school year:
- BMS full-time
- BMS part-time
- Passerelle full-time
- Passerelle part-time
- short-term high school
Am I entitled to a free repetition when changing courses?
The right to a free repetition does not apply to a change of course.
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