Zurich University Of Teacher Education
Teacher training for pre-primary and lower primary levels (KUst)
Zürich, Switzerland
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
LANGUAGES
German
PACE
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2027
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: This programme at PH Zurich trains teachers for pre-primary and lower primary (1st–3rd class) education. It focuses on play-based and experimental learning, child development, and designing learning opportunities that support transitions between stages. Graduates are qualified to teach all educational areas and subjects at these levels, except English, which is taught from 2nd class.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work as classroom teachers in pre-primary and lower primary settings, early childhood educators, or primary school teachers. They can move into roles such as pedagogical advisor, curriculum developer, teacher trainer, or educational coordinator in public schools, training services, or cantonal education authorities.
Two years after entering pre-primary level children transfer lower to primary level for three years, after which they move on to intermediate primary level. Graduates of this programme are qualified to teach all educational areas/subjects at pre-primary and lower primary levels (except English).
Pre-primary and lower primary pupils have their own unique access to learning through play and experiment. The pre-primary and lower primary study programme trains teachers to tap into children's natural facilities at these stages, and to design a range of learning opportunities that incorporate play and learning doing while at the same time preparing pupils for the transitions they will need to make.
No specialist teachers are trained for individual subjects at pre-primary and lower primary levels; instead, class teachers are authorised to teach in all areas of the pre-primary level and for all subjects of the 1st to 3rd class of the primary school, with the exception of English, which is taught from the second class of the primary school.
