Bachelor's degree in Primary School Teaching

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Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education

Prepares to take on the role of primary school teacher with children aged 6 to 10 years old.

SUPSI Course Overview

Overview

  • Degree awarded

    Bachelor of Arts SUPSI in Insegnamento per il livello elementare (anni scolastici: 3-7)

  • Credits

    180 ECTS

  • Study modes

    Full Time (TP), from 3 years
    Part-time (PT), from 4 years

  • Applications *

    (TP) November 17th, 2025 - March 1st, 2026
    (PT) November 17th, 2025 - March 1st, 2026

  • Start date

    September 2026

  • Language

    Italian

  • Semester fee

    From CHF 800.-

  • Location

    Locarno, stabile A

*For further details see the "Admission and application" section

What not to miss

Asset Publisher

The primary school teacher works with children between the ages of 6 and 10. In this age group, the teacher promotes the overall development of the pupils and encourages the acquisition of cognitive, affective and social tools.
 
To best support this course, teachers must have a solid didactic and pedagogical background and excellent interpersonal and listening skills. 

The skills and knowledge related to the profession are contained in the "Skills profile of degree courses (in Italian)" document.

Professional perspectives
The qualification is recognised at federal level and allows you to work as a primary school teacher in every Swiss canton.
 
Study perspectives
Teachers active in the area can access the Continuing Education programme offered by the Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education or specialise by attending university Masters courses such as the one offered by the School: 
It is also possible to continue their studies in other university Master's programmes.

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The Bachelor's degree in Primary Education is conducted in various ways:
  • large-group courses;
  • class group seminars;
  • small group workshops;
  • block weeks or study days;
  • professional practice at a Ticino school.

The Bachelor in Primary Education is offered in both full time (TP) and part-time (PT) modes. Both modes require compulsory attendance.

The full-time programme lasts three academic years (six semesters) and awards 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits.

The part-time programme lasts four academic years (eight semesters) and awards 180 ECTS credits.
The expected commitment is four days per week, three of which usually consist of lessons held alongside the full-time Bachelor's programme participants.

The programme is structured around four main areas
  • professional practice (professional modules);
  • educational sciences;
  • disciplinary didactics;
  • scientific research in education.
Teaching is structured in modules. Various certification options are provided.

Full time (TP)
 
  • 1st year (60 ECTS)

    Professional module (16 ECTS)
    Educational science (17 ECTS)
    Disciplinary didactic (27 ECTS)

  • 2nd year (60 ECTS)

    Professional module (18 ECTS)
    Educational science (14 ECTS)
    Disciplinary didactic (28 ECTS)

  • 3rd year (60 ECTS)

    Professional module (20 ECTS)
    Educational science (8 ECTS)
    Disciplinary didactic (16 ECTS)
    Optional specialisation (10 ECTS)
    Bachelor's thesis (6 ECTS)

Part-time (PT)
 
  • 1st year (45 ECTS)

    Professional module (16 ECTS)
    Educational science (12 ECTS)
    Disciplinary didactic (17 ECTS) 

  • 2nd year (43 ECTS)

    Educational science (20 ECTS)
    Disciplinary didactic (23 ECTS)

  • 3rd year (46 ECTS) 

    Professional module (18 ECTS)
    Educational science (5 ECTS)
    Disciplinary didactic (23 ECTS)

  • 4th year (46 ECTS)

    Professional module (20 ECTS)

    Educational science (2 ECTS)

    Disciplinary didactic (8 ECTS)

    Optional specialisations (10 ECTS)

    Bachelor's thesis (6 ECTS)

One ECTS credit corresponds to approximately 25-30 hours of work for the student (classroom hours, individual study and hours devoted to certification).

Course FB Modules List

The contents of the published study plans reflect the structure of the modules and/or courses currently planned and may be subject to change over time, based on the evolution of the educational offering.
 

The study plan for the part-time programme will be published in spring 2026.

SUPSI Course Responsibles

Francesca Antonini

Docente-ricercatrice Senior / Responsabile Formazione Bachelor / Membro di Direzione - Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education

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Admission to the Bachelor's degree in Primary Education is by means of a numbered admission procedure that varies according to the qualifications and entry requirements of the candidates.

The document 'Bachelor Admission: Required Qualifications and Type of Admission' helps identify the admission procedure to be referred to.

Applicants with at least one of the following qualifications are eligible for the Bachelor's degree:

  • Baccalaureate degree obtained in accordance with federal legislation.
  • Commercial baccalaureate from the Cantonal School of Commerce.
  • Federal specialised teaching diploma.
  • Federal vocational or specialised university degree with supplementary examination certificate 'Universities and Institutes of Technology Passerelle' or 'SUPSI-DFA Passerelle'.
  • Foreign high school graduation.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree obtained at a Swiss high school, Swiss university, Swiss university of applied sciences or obtained abroad.

 
Specific requirements are requested from candidates with a foreign high school diploma or qualification obtained in a language other than Italian.

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Admitted to the Bachelor's degree programme by means of an early admission procedure are persons in possession of a Vocational or specialised (non-educational) federal or cantonal baccalaureate.

Admitted persons attend a one-year complementary examination preparation course organised by the Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education.
Successful completion of the supplementary examination grants access to Bachelor's training.

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Candidates who meet the following requirements: 

  • at least three years' education at secondary II level (Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, Specialist Secondary School diploma, professional or specialised baccalaureate - not pedagogical - under federal or cantonal law);
  • at least 27 years of age;
  • previous full-time employment of at least 3 years

can be admitted on dossiers.

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The application for admission can only be submitted online by accessing the Student Portal.

Candidates who meet the admission requirements verified on the basis of the documents provided are admitted to the admission procedure. 

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Final registration is required by the deadline.

Final registration is only confirmed when the candidate has:

  • completed and returned the required documents
  • paid the six-monthly fee.

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Application fee
A fee of CHF 200 must be paid online at the same time as the application. 
The fee is neither refundable nor deductible from the semester fee.
Semestrer fee
The semester fee is CHF 1'600, respectively CHF 800 for students benefiting from the application of the Intercantonal Agreement on Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (Swiss nationality or civil and fiscal domicile in Switzerland or Liechtenstein). Specific agreements apply for students resident in Campione d'Italia.
Contribution for teaching
A flat fee of CHF 80 per semester is also charged by the Department as a contribution to teaching costs.
Scholarships
Various public and private institutions offer support to students in need. More information.

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Frequently asked questions

FAQs List

Open days/evenings are held between January and March each year, during which, for example, the content of the course, professional outlets and the admission procedure are presented. It is also possible to visit the campus and meet directly with students and lecturers.

You can take a semester an maximum one year at another university in Switzerland or abroad through related agreements. Find more information and reference contacts on the dedicated page.

They are a contribution to the costs of teaching (school materials, charges for visits, general administrative and secretarial costs, teaching and IT support, etc.).

Following the Bologna Reform, study courses have been structured into modules and each module is allocated a number of study credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 to 30 hours. 60 credits represent the annual workload in the case of full-time education. A Bachelor's degree requires 180 ECTS and a Master's degree 90 to 120 ECTS.

Le pratiche professionali sono previste negli Istituti scolastici del Cantone Ticino.

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Visualizzatore contatto

  • Department of Education and Learning / University of Teacher Education

  • Piazza San Francesco 19
    CH-6600 Locarno

  • Telephone switchboard and InfoDesk

     

    Monday - Thursday: 08:00-09:00 / 10:00-12:15 / 14:00-16:15
    Fridays: 08:00-09:00 / 10:00-12:15

     

    Times may be subject to change.
    Please contact the switchboard for verification.

     

  • T +41 (0)58 666 68 00

    dfa@supsi.ch

    www.dfa.supsi.ch

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