Zurich University of Teacher Education

With 3820 students and over 24000 continuing professional development participants a year, Zurich University of Teacher Education (PH Zurich) is Switzerland’s largest teacher education institutions and an expert partner for schools, teachers and educational authorities. The university’s over 900 employees generate knowledge for schools as well as for public and private sector organisations, and its researchers are involved in various national and international projects and networks. The PH Zurich provides pre-service and in-service teacher education, research and a range of support services.

The campus is located next to the main railway station in the centre of Zurich. With its own lake and flanked by wooded hills, Zurich is a bustling city in the heart of Europe, offering many cultural and sports activities and excursions, and easy access to the nearby Swiss Alps. The PH Zurich’s facilities include lecture halls and seminar rooms with state-of-the-art technology, a large sports hall, ample workspaces for students and faculty, a well-stocked library, and a popular cafeteria.

Initial teacher education

The PH Zurich prepares students to teach in kindergartens as well as primary, secondary and upper secondary schools. An outstanding feature of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes is the high proportion of practical teaching experience, designed to prepare students to handle the challenges of their future careers. Students are introduced to school classes from the first weeks of their studies, and more than a quarter of their study time is devoted to visits and teaching practice in partner schools. The PH Zurich’s degree programmes can be attended on a full- or part-time basis.

Continuing professional development, postgraduate studies and support services

The PH Zurich offers postgraduate studies as well as counselling and consulting services for teachers, schools, school teams, school management, authorities and school communities. Apart from various Master of Advanced Studies (MAS), Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) and Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) programmes, the PH Zurich offers many continuing professional development opportunities, enabling education professionals to advance their professional skills and qualify for educational leadership positions.

Research

The PH Zurich supports the dialogue between science, research and practice in schools. Several thematically focused research groups and centres, each with a particular interdisciplinary orientation, are involved in educational research at both national and international level. On a yearly basis, the researchers at PH Zurich work on approximately 100 research and development projects, release 175 publications and cooperate in 50 national and international projects.

Courses for incoming exchange and visiting students at the PH Zurich

The PH Zurich offers a wide range of courses in teacher education and an attractive selection of course units taught in English. Topics include special needs education, diversity management, intercultural communication, methodology for teaching English as a Second Language, and German language courses. In addition, students can also do school experience placements to find out about the Swiss education system and gain valuable professional experience at different educational levels. In June/July, PH Zurich runs a summer school on hot topics of teacher education attracting students from all over the world.