First-Generation Students are students from non-academic families, whose parents, guardians, or legal representatives have not obtained a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent diploma from a higher education institution in Switzerland.
Am I a first-generation student if…
…some of my siblings or cousins are already enrolled in a higher education program?
YES. In this case, you are still part of the first generation in your family to access higher education, so you definitely belong here! These family members, who belong to the same generation as you, can be a valuable resource by sharing their experiences with you. You are all first-generation students.
…one of my aunts, uncles, or grandparents has already completed a university degree?
YES. You are a first-generation student. These relatives can also be a valuable resource by sharing their experiences.
…my parents have a university degree but come from a modest socio-economic background?
YES. Students whose parents attended university but come from financially or socially disadvantaged backgrounds can also identify as first-generation students.
Social selectivity in the Swiss education system
While only 25.4% of the resident population aged 20 to 35 comes from families where at least one parent has studied at a higher education institution, this proportion doubles among tertiary-level students (universities, universities of applied sciences, universities of teacher education) to reach 49.9%.
