With approximately 3300 students and more than 12,000 continuing professional development participants a year, the Zurich University of Teacher Education (PH Zurich) is one of Switzerland's largest teacher education institutions and a leading center of expertise, teachers, and educational authorities. The university's approximately 830 employees generate and transform knowledge for schools and public and private sector organizations. Due to the high quality of its research, the PH Zurich is involved in various national and international networks. The services of the PH Zurich include:
- Education
- Training
- Research
- Additional services, such as consulting and international development projects.
The PH Zurich prepares students to become teachers in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.
The degree programs at the PH Zurich can be attended on a full- or part-time basis. Courses for vocational college teachers take place alongside their work. The PH Zurich offers the joint Master's program in teaching methodology in collaboration with the University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich. An outstanding feature of the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs is the high proportion of practical teaching experience, which prepares prospective teachers for today's schools and the future. Students are introduced to a school class from their first week of studies, and they spend almost a third of their entire studies in partner schools and teaching practice. Further features are:
- Internationally recognized university degree (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts) and teaching diplomas recognized throughout Switzerland.
- Relevance to school practice from the first week of study. Prospective teachers spend approximately one-quarter of their entire training period in teaching practice schools. This enables them to gain first-hand experience of current developments in education and experience a school's overall culture.
- The study program's various contents – practical training, teaching methodology, specialized knowledge, and educational sciences – are complementary and co-ordinated with each other.
- Acquisition of a detailed subject profile appropriate to a teacher's particular abilities and specialization in various fields. No subject specialists are trained in Switzerland for the pre-primary level and the nine years of compulsory schooling. The range of subjects includes seven to eight pre-primary and primary levels and four for secondary one education.
- Exchange opportunities with more than 70 partner universities in 30 countries with recognition of academic performance and no extension of the study period.
- Multiple further study options after graduation at the PH Zurich or other universities, thanks to the flexibility of the Bologna system (e.g., a Master's degree at the Zurich University of Special Education or the University of Zurich)
- Close cooperation with the other universities in the Zurich area
- The lively campus at the university's location next to Zurich central station with cultural opportunities, a broad range of sports, and many student activities
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