matur

Matur is a term used in several European languages with origins in the Latin maturus, meaning ripe or ready. In modern usage it most often refers to a final-stage qualification or status indicating readiness, particularly in education, but it also appears as a form of the word related to maturity in general language.

In Swiss German, matur or matura is commonly used to denote the final secondary-school examination that qualifies a student for university admission. The formal term used in standard German is Matura or Maturität, depending on the country or cantonal tradition. The exam program and requirements vary by region, but the purpose remains consistent: to certify the completion of upper secondary education and to provide access to higher education. In many cantons, passing the Matura yields a diploma known as the university-entrance or matriculation qualification.

Beyond the examen context, matur functions as a root in Germanic vocabulary connected to maturity or ripeness, appearing in various compounds and inflected forms. In education-related terms, it gives rise to related concepts such as the Maturand or Maturant (a student preparing for or undertaking the Matura) and the Maturitätszeugnis or diploma that accompanies successful completion.

Globally, the concept of a matur-like school-leaving certification exists in several countries under different names (for example, Matura, Maturität, or equivalent systems), all serving a similar function: signaling readiness for university study after completing secondary education. The exact structure, subjects tested, and university-entry rules depend on the regional education system.