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University of Bern

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History

The foundations of the University of Bern were laid in the 16th century, when the Reformation made it necessary for new priests to be educated in a higher education establishment. In 1805, as part of the reorganization of higher education, the Bern government converted the former School of Theology into an Academy with four faculties.

Education

The university's comprehensive offering includes 8 faculties, some 180 institutes, 9 Competence Centers, 7 Graduate Schools, 60 Bachelor, 83 Master programmes, PhD in all disciplines and more than 200 executive programs. Courses include theology, humanities, law, the economic and social sciences, medicine, veterinary medicine and sciences. It’s your option to make various combinations, including across different faculties. Whether you want to combine economics with archaeology or psychology with computer science, you will not be short of choices.

Research

The University of Bern excels in five major areas:

  • Sustainability (focusing on climate, coping with global change, and regulation of world trade, biodiversity and resources research)
  • Health and medicine (with top achievements in the medical, natural, human and veterinary sciences)
  • Matter and the universe (with basic research in the fields of particle physics and space research)
  • Intercultural knowledge (to exchange and understand our own and other cultures)
  • Politics and administration (as the university for the capital city region)

Career

The modern spirit of the University of Bern is at home in a traditional environment. In a central location, new and historical buildings are spread across an entire neighborhood that has nevertheless remained familiar. Regardless of the age of the buildings, we offer a modern infrastructure everywhere.The workplaces can be reached easily and quickly from all over Switzerland on public transport.

University Ranking

Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
101
2023
101
2022
101
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
104 12
2024
116 -22
2023
94
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
161 -35
2024
126 -6
2023
120
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
111 -4
2023
107
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world.

Student services

Office for gender equality - The university is committed to gender equality for men and women. It promotes the success of both men and women in academia with effective instruments of gender equality and career models.

International Office - The University of Bern has numerous exchange contracts with partners in Europe and all over the world that make it possible for students from the University of Bern to gain experience at a foreign university for one or two semesters. Interested students obtain information from us on possible destinations, how to register and how to prepare for an experience abroad.

Housing services

Irrespective of whether you are alone or with your partner or family - allow sufficient time to look for a room or apartment. If you come from abroad, we particularly recommend dealing with accommodation several weeks before you arrive (e.g. temporary accommodation, a room in a student residence etc.).

Many apartments on offer are not available for occupation immediately due to the period of notice and are only free after a period of 1 to 3 months.The Welcome Center publishes offers accommodation from landlords in Bern and the surrounding area. They do not, however, act as direct intermediaries – please contact the landlords yourself.

Library services

The University Library of Bern not only provides books and journals in print and electronic format and access to subject-specific databases, but also offers courses in topics such as research methods, academic writing and citation, as well as support and equipment for electronic publishing.

ICT services

The IT Services Office (ID) offers a wide range of IT-related services, support and advice. It supports students, central administration staff and the institutes' IT managers.

We are responsible for planning and installation, and for ensuring uninterrupted, secure operation of the entire wired and wireless network. 

Medical services

People in further and continuing education can apply to be exempted from the compulsory health insurance in Switzerland, providing they can prove they are in possession of a comparable foreign health insurance. In the canton of Bern, the application must be submitted in writing to the Office for Social Insurance within three months of your entering Switzerland.

Campus life

Most of the institutes are located in the Länggasse, a lively student quarter that offers a wide range of places to eat and drink: snack bars, restaurants and cafes are an invitation to wind down. The railway station and city center with an abundance of shops are just a few minutes' walk from the different university buildings.

The city of Bern is listed among the cities that offer excellent quality of life in the world. The people of Bern are welcoming and peaceable, and the old town of Bern, nestling in a breath-taking setting surrounded by the Swiss Alps, is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The Swiss capital also has an broad range of cultural activities.

Sports facilities

We offer a diverse sports and exercise program for students and staff at the university and the university of teacher education. University Sports organizes guided training sessions, courses, competitions and events, offers advice and provides infrastructure for independent training. University Sports is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Center for Sport and Sport Science as well as other sports infrastructure.

Sports areas:

  • Alpine sports and climbing
  • Fitness
  • Combat sport / martial arts
  • Running and cycling
  • Snow sports
  • Games
  • Dance
  • Water sports

Student clubs

Student Union - The Student Union of the University of Bern (SUB) represents the concerns and interests of the students of the University of Bern. It is a public law entity based on the University Law of the canton of Bern. Over 90% of students in Bern are SUB members. As well as political representation, the SUB offers the students of the University of Bern a comprehensive and varied range of services and advice, such as jobs, accommodation, free tickets to cultural events, legal and financial advice and help.

Cultural associations:
  • BEST Bern Student Theater
  • Jazzorchester
  • University Choir
  • University Orchestra

The Swiss Accreditation Council has accredited the University of Bern as a university without conditions. With the accreditation decision, which the University of Bern received on 24 September 2021, the institutional accreditation procedure have been completed.

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