What does Academia Matura offer athletes?

Academia Matura prepares athletes for the Swiss Matura qualification through an individually tailored programme – ideally suited to the demands of high-performance sport. The programme leads from International GCSEs (IGCSEs) and International A Levels to an internationally recognised qualification.

Unlike a traditional high school, the programme is individually structured:

• Subjects, lesson times and the pace of learning are adapted to each student’s individual situation.
• Classroom teaching, online lessons and guided self-study can be combined flexibly.
• Exams do not all have to be taken at the same time – subjects can be completed modularly and at different points in time.

This makes it possible to plan the academic programme around training sessions, training camps, competitions or longer periods away from home. Subject teachers and the academic leadership team provide individual support throughout the programme.

What are the advantages of studying at Academia Matura for athletes?

The key advantage is flexibility: young high-performance athletes do not have to choose between a demanding academic education and their sporting development.

• Time flexibility: The timetable is adapted to the student’s individual weekly schedule. Depending on the situation, lessons take place on campus or online, with part of the programme completed through guided self-study. This makes it easier to accommodate training camps, competition periods and travel.
• Academic flexibility: Students choose subjects based on their strengths and future university plans and complete individual subjects when they are ready. The pace of the programme can be adapted to their individual starting point.
• Personalised support: Instead of having to adapt to rigid school structures, students work together with the school to develop a realistic educational pathway that takes both their sporting development and long-term academic goals into account.

Where is the programme offered?

Academia Matura is offered at locations in Aarau, Basel, Bern, Lucerne, Winterthur and Zurich, as well as online.

Depending on the individual study programme, lessons take place on campus, online or in a combination of both. This hybrid approach is particularly valuable for athletes: it enables continuity in their education during training camps, competition periods or longer stays away from their home location.

How does admission work and what are the requirements?

• Consultation: Together, you review the student’s previous academic background, sporting situation, existing knowledge and short- and long-term educational goals.
• Individual study programme: You clarify which previous achievements can be recognised and at what level the student should begin individual subjects. If necessary, Academia Matura may conduct placement tests.
• English language level: As teaching is primarily conducted in English, Academia Matura recommends an English level of B2 for direct entry. If this level has not yet been reached, the starting point can be tailored individually and combined with preparatory language courses.

Ultimately, the school and the student decide together whether Academia Matura is the right educational model.

What qualification do athletes earn at the end of the program?

The program leads to International A Levels, an internationally recognized upper-secondary qualification. The program is generally complemented by IGCSE subjects to ensure that students complete the subject combination required for university admission.

With the appropriate subject combination, International A Levels provide access to universities and higher education institutions in Switzerland and around the world. Graduates of Academia Matura have gone on to study at Swiss universities, ETH Zurich, and universities abroad.

What else would be useful to know?

Find out more about how Kimmy Répond, figure skater, combined Academia Matura with elite-level sport.