Maturität

Maturität, also Matura, is the designation for the final secondary-school leaving examination in several German-speaking countries. The certificate, often called Maturität or Matura, signals the completion of upper secondary education and serves as the primary qualification for university entrance in those regions. The name and form vary by country and sometimes by canton or federal state.

In Switzerland the term Maturität is widely used and exists in several variants. The Allgemeine Maturität provides broad university access, while the Fachmaturität combines vocational training with a specialization and also enables higher education. In Austria and Liechtenstein the corresponding certificate is generally called Matura; the exams occur after completing a gymnasiale or analogous school track and confer the right to study at universities.

Assessment typically includes a mix of written and oral examinations across core subjects such as languages, mathematics, and a choice of sciences or social sciences, with cantonal or national variations. Some tracks also require a project, a thesis, or an extended essay. The exact subjects, number of exams, and passing criteria differ by jurisdiction.

With the Bologna Process, the Maturität/Matura is commonly recognized across European higher education institutions, facilitating cross-border study. The certificate may also be complemented by professional qualifications in vocational tracks. Students and institutions often rely on the Matura as the standard route to university admission in the German-speaking world.