HEPVS - Haute école pédagogique du Valais

Programme overview

The Bachelor in Primary Education is a 6-semester professional degree totalling 180 ECTS. The curriculum combines theory, supervised classroom practice and a scientific component to develop classroom teaching skills, collaborative professional work and an evidence-based approach to education. One third of the programme is completed in immersion in the second language (French or German) when following the bilingual route.

What you'll study

Studies are distributed across three main components: theoretical, practical and scientific training.

• Formation théorique (117 ECTS): organised around professional fields such as society and institutions; school and development; organisation of school life and work; planning, delivery and assessment; child development and heterogeneity; introduction to didactics; subject-specific teaching for Cycle 1 and Cycle 2; and training in school practices. The programme comprises 56 compulsory courses plus a choice of two optional courses.
• Formation pratique (48 ECTS): about 25% of study time and includes 27 weeks of school placements across Valais primary schools, divided into six institutional placements (one per semester). Practice is supported by reflection courses, mentorship and a professional portfolio.
• Formation scientifique (15 ECTS): preparation courses and a final thesis on a chosen educational topic, to develop scientific curiosity, systematic observation and problem-solving skills.
• Bilingual option: students can follow a French–German bilingual curriculum by studying three semesters in their mother-tongue site then three semesters at the second-language site; C1 level in the second language is required by the end of semester 4 (validated internally if needed).
• Stage long en emploi: in the final year students may undertake a long in-service placement, taking responsibility for a class up to 50% in co-teaching with an experienced teacher, with adjusted theory timetables to combine work and study.
• Study pacing: on request the programme may be spread over 6 to 10 semesters with a personalised plan agreed with study advising.

Entry requirements

Applications are processed in order of receipt; once capacity is reached further files are waitlisted in arrival order. Admission routes include admissions without exam (including VAE), admissions with exam and admissions on dossier; specific application windows and guides are provided per route. The bilingual pathway requires reaching C1 in the second language by the end of the fourth semester; this level can be validated through internal HEP-VS examinations.

Career prospects

Graduates receive a state-recognised primary teaching diploma (valid for degrees 1H–8H in Swiss Romandy) and a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education (Bologna-compatible). The bilingual diploma permits teaching across linguistic regions and in bilingual primary classes. Professional outcomes are principally classroom teacher roles in primary schools, with options for roles requiring bicultural or bilingual competence.

Scholarships & funding angle

The programme page references study grants and provides tuition and fee information; applicants should consult the HEP-VS pages for details on scholarships, semester fees, registration charges and any concessions related to permits for study. Financial planning should account for registration fees and per-semester contributions listed by the institution.