Switzerland
The educational system of the Swiss has no central power. Allowing each of their 26 cantons to set up its own educational system and having almost entire control of structuring the schools curriculum. Without a federal ministry of education the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Boards of Education) is responsible regulations where needed.
The school system is comprised of voluntary pre-school education (1-2 years), compulsory basic education (9 years), vocational training or further education (2-4 years) and advanced training or university studies (2-6 years). After completion of basic education there are numerous possibilities offered with vocational and general programs and institutions.
Vocational training can consist of a combination of on-the-job training in an apprenticeship and a related school programme.
In Switzerland one can choose from 10 cantonal universities and two institutions that are operated by the federal government. Also in Switzerland there are many universities of applied sciences (UAS or Fachhochschulen) found throughout the country.