Ignite: Switzerland FAQs

Once applications are open with the school for the programme, students in the participating year groups will have received a secure Microsoft Forms link in their school email inbox. Should they choose to apply, parents will receive a confirmation email when the application has been submitted. 

Parents will also be informed that applications are opened through official school communication channels. We would encourage parents to discuss with their child regarding the suitability of the programme for their child's student journey.

The application is a series of open-ended personal essay questions for your child to complete. Once the application is submitted, the Ignite: Switzerland admissions team will review applications collectively. Parents will then receive a contract to ocnfirm their child's participation in the programme.

Each term offers a different environmental context and experience, but all deliver the same academic structure, level of support, and overall learning outcomes. When choosing a term, families may wish to consider your child’s interest, and what environment will most excite and motivate them.

In the application process, students select their top two preferences. Applications are reviewed collectively to ensure a fair and considered process.

The Ignite: Switzerland programme is hosted at Hochalpines Institut Ftan (HIF), part of the Education in Motion (EiM) family of schools. HIF is rooted in over 200 years of educational tradition and blends regional heritage with a global future. It is a co-educational day and boarding school for 12 – 18 year olds that offers both the Swiss Matura and A Levels to students from the region and internationally. Students from the Ignite programme will have opportunities to connect with the HIF community through different school activities.

HIF's details are below:

HochAlpines Institut Ftan (HIF) 

Address: Chalchera 154, 7551 Ftan, Switzerland

Contact: [email protected] 

Website: www.hif.ch

Flights are not included in the fee for Ignite: Switzerland. Parents will need to pay for the flight separately. Your child’s College will organise the flight and invoice you.

Obtaining the appropriate visa is a parental responsibility but your College will give advice. If your child’s passport requires a visa, you will need to apply for the Schengen visa which allows your child to study temporarily in Switzerland and the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

For travel to Switzerland in 2026, visa-exempt travelers (e.g., US, UK, Canada, Australia) must register with ETIAS online before traveling, starting in late 2026. Information on ETIAS here

Please consult the following link to check if you require a Visa or not:​

Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality (Annex CH-1, List 1)*​

​Passport holders which do not have to apply for a visa are permitted to travel freely to and inside of the Schengen Area but must apply for a ETIAS online before starting travelling. The length of stay is limited to 90 days within six months.

In short, no. It is very difficult to stay in Switzerland longer than 90 days within a 180 day period. If you are looking for an extension of your child’s Short-Stay Schengen Visa, you will need to prove an extension is required due to extraordinary circumstances. If you are looking for a Long-Stay Swiss Visa, also known as a National Visa or a D-Visa, you must prove that you have direct family already living in Switzerland, or that you have a study offer longer than 90 days. These visas are offered to those looking to study, work or live in Switzerland long-term, after which you must apply for a residence permit.

Your child will be accompanied by a chaperone from their College.

6 months - 15 days prior to your trip. It is recommended to apply 4 weeks before your trip. Processing times depend on the embassy, consulate or third party that is processing your application. The legal processing time for a Schengen visa is 15 calendar days. In some cases, you can receive an answer earlier. However, in extraordinary cases this period may extend from 30 to 60 days.

An integral part of the programme is the opportunity to get to see and embrace cultural aspects of the Lower Engadin valley and its surroundings.

You must pre-arrange picking up your child with the Head of Ignite: Switzerland who can be contacted on ([email protected]). You may holiday in Europe at the end of the term, however, you will be responsible for calculating the time your child has left on their Schengen visa, if relevant, and you must be careful to comply with the immigration laws in place.

Your child will be accompanied back by a chaperone from their College.

The Ignite: Switzerland programme has been designed to ensure that there will be very little content missed and the dynamic learning environment at Ignite will enable them to thrive when they return. Should your child require support, they will be supported upon their return to their College, if necessary.

Your child will be very busy with the Ignite: Switzerland curriculum, which includes and extensive evening programme where study time is built in.The programme has been designed to ensure that students are broadening and deepening the skills required for their studies, and beyond.

Before your child arrives in Switzerland, all information relating to their language ability will be shared. This will enable us to put your child into the right English group. We have a personalised approach so that each child’s learning pathway is paved just right.

Even though your child is only with us for the duration of the programme, we will get to know your child well. As this is a boarding environment, staff will get to know your child in the classroom as well as out of it. They will be with your child at weekends, after school and in the dining room. It is important to us that your child will feel completely at home when enjoying the Ignite: Switzerland experience.

Yes, all teaching staff are qualified and experienced. Much of the curriculum taught with Ignite: Switzerland programme is similar to that of your child’s College; iGCSE is currently taught at HochAlpines Institut Ftan so the teachers are fully equipped to support your child’s academic career.

Not only has Ignite: Switzerland paid close attention to building an academic programme that is comparable to the curriculum at your child’s current school but the boarding element of this programme will aid in the development of certain home skills that are conducive to successful academic study. Your child will be required to adhere to a strict time schedule that organises a healthy balance of free time and study time which culminates more core curriculum time at HIF. This environment teaches your child routine and time management.

A boarding environment allows your child to learn beyond the classroom. They will learn to be more independent and responsible. Through following the curated time schedule set out for your child, they will be able to experience a balanced routine of study time and free time. They will need to learn how to time manage wisely with the plethora of curricular and extracurricular activities they have at their disposal. If your child is studying English as a second language, they will be in an environment that exposes them to English inside and outside of the classroom.

Yes. Students have regular opportunities to communicate with home, while also being encouraged to be present and engaged in their experience. A balanced approach to device use supports both connection with family and meaningful engagement in daily life. We also have a dedicated Class Dojo classroom with photographs and videos of the week’s activities that will be updated regularly for parents to see so parents can feel part of the experience too.

Your child will be away from home- they will inevitably get homesick. You can help your child by reassuring them that this is normal. We will have staff on hand to help them through those difficult times. It will be important for you, as parents, to support us in helping your child work through these emotions.

Parents are asked not to visit whilst their child is at the school as it can be unsettling for the child. Also, part of going away on this experience is to gain independence, self-reliance and resilience. Parents may, however, pre-arrange with the Head of Ignite: Switzerland ([email protected]) regarding picking up your child at the end of the programme.

If your child’s birthday is during their time on the Ignite: Switzerland programme, it will be celebrated and we will help them feel special for the day. 

You may email [email protected] which is the contact email for boarding at HIF. All contact details for the school and the staff will also be in the Boarding Handbook that will be given to you before your child leaves for Switzerland.

To help you feel connected, we have a dedicated Class Dojo classroom with photographs and videos of the week’s activities that will be updated regularly for parents to see. We will upload as many photos and videos as possible so you can feel that you are part of the experience too. 

For the Year 8 programme, you will need to pay for your child's place at their college.

For the Year 9 programme, you will not need to pay for your child’s place at their College. You will pay fees directly to HIF for your child’s term with Ignite: Switzerland.

No, your child’s place will be kept at their College so they can return to their College after the Ignite: Switzerland experience.

Once your child has completed their application process and been offered a place, you will be given the details fee payment for the Ignite programme.

Education, boarding and food is included in the fee. This also covers excursions. Parents will have to pay separately for insurance, flights and any pocket money required by your child.

Switzerland is renowned for its excellent medical training and hospitals, utilising the latest technologies, guaranteeing quality care that is recognised throughout the world. We are lucky to work in close proximity with the local doctor, and are able to care for our students in a prompt and timely fashion. 

If you attend a Dulwich College International in China you can still benefit from this discount. However, the 5% annual fee discount will not apply outside China.

We will let you know if your child requires any medical treatment.

Fortunately, Switzerland has an excellent healthcare system so your child will be well looked after. If there is a medical emergency, we will contact you immediately and keep you updated so you know what is happening. Our staff are very experienced and will look after your child.

If you child requires counsellor support we will coordinate with you and their Home college to arrange this.

Our primary responsibility is to keep your child safe; as a result, our campus is fitted with a number of CCTV cameras and alarms.

It is mandatory to have travel insurance as this covers health insurance as well. Switzerland has excellent medical care, but it is expensive. Switzerland is part of the Schengen Zone. As such, your travel insurance for Switzerland has to comply with Schengen Visa insurance requirements, meaning:

• It must cover at least €30,000 for medical treatment and evacuation.
• It must be valid through the entire Schengen Zone.
• It must be valid through the entire duration of your trip to Switzerland or the Schengen Zone.

Before your child arrives in Switzerland, you will be asked to provide all important health information for your child. Our chef is used to providing specialist meals for students at the school already. Every care will be taken to meet the needs of your child.

Your child will receive 3 meals a day. Healthy snacks are also available throughout the day.