Zurich Replaces Gymnasium Profiles with New Focus Subjects (Switzerland, June 2026)
Zurich’s Education Council amended the teaching regulation for cantonal gymnasiums as part of the development of the gymnasium Matura. The change removes the former Matura profile model and introduces a new set of focus subjects and a cantonal timetable basis.
Zurich’s Education Council amended the teaching regulation for cantonal gymnasiums as part of the development of the gymnasium Matura. The change removes the former Matura profile model and introduces a new set of focus subjects and a cantonal timetable basis.
What Changed?
Students entering the upper gymnasium will no longer choose one of the former Matura profiles. They will choose a focus subject, while the canton applies a common lesson-allocation basis and implements the revised Swiss Matura requirements.
Old System vs New System
Zurich gymnasiums used Matura profiles and locally shaped subject offers. The former national catalogues of focus and supplementary subjects were also tied to the previous Matura recognition rules.
The regulation anchors new focus subjects, keeps the total compulsory upper-gymnasium teaching load at 268 semester lessons, and sets cantonal requirements for school curricula, subject guidelines, and teaching concepts. The former profile system is removed from the cantonal middle-school ordinance.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Future students will choose from a new focus-subject model rather than from the former profile structure, which changes subject planning and preparation for the Matura.
Parent / Family Impact
Parents of future applicants will need to compare focus subjects and regional availability rather than relying on the old profile labels.
School / Institution Impact
Gymnasiums must adapt curricula, timetables, subject guidance, and school offers to the new cantonal rules before the first affected cohorts start.
Teacher / Staff Impact
Teachers will need to align subject planning with the new focus subjects, cross-subject requirements, and school-level curriculum documents.
Key Dates
- 2026-06-01: Education Council decision
- 2028-08-01: amended teaching regulation enters into force
- 2028/29: five-year tracks begin using the new offer
- 2029/30: other upper-gymnasium tracks begin using the new offer.
What To Do
- Prospective families should follow Zurich’s school-specific information on focus-subject availability
- and schools should prepare curricula and guidance for affected cohorts.
What To Watch Next
Zurich’s Education Directorate is preparing further bases for school curricula, promotion rules, and Matura rules, with consultation planned after the June decision.
Global Context
The change shows how a Swiss canton is translating the revised national Matura recognition rules into local curriculum and school-choice practice.
Source Record
Source type: regulation
Source name: Canton of Zurich, Education Council