Universität Bern

Overview

English Name: University of Bern

Local Name: Université de Berne

Acronyms: UniBE

Founded: 1834

Control Type: Public

Entity Type: Non-profit

World Rank: #227

Rank in Switzerland: #4

Motto: Knowledges creates value

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Established in 1834, the Universität Bern (University of Bern) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Bern (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants).

Officially recognized by the Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, Schweiz (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation of Switzerland), Universität Bern (UniBE) is a large-sized coeducational Swiss higher education institution. Universität Bern (UniBE) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 190-year-old Swiss higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

UniBE also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Universität Bern's campus location, postal address, and the channels students typically use to reach the admissions team. Verified contact points help avoid third-party impersonators.

Academic Details

Key statistics on Universität Bern's student population, faculty size, and external recognition. International vs domestic student split is often missing from these figures but matters for campus culture.

Academic Structures

To understand where programmes live within Universität Bern, the academic structure is mapped below. Some institutions run joint faculties with external bodies — credentialing in those cases is shared.

Degrees

Also: Certificate of Advanced Studies and Diploma of Advanced Studies

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, Schweiz.

Programs Offered

Search the Universität Bern programme catalogue or scan it by degree level. The catalogue updates periodically; recently added programmes may not yet appear in some search-engine results.

How to apply to Universität Bern

A short guide to applying to Universität Bern — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.

1. 1
   Research programmes at Universität Bern

   Use the programme finder to browse Universität Bern's 113 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

2. 2
   Review admissions criteria

   Programme-level requirements at Universität Bern typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

3. 3
   Gather supporting documents

   Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

4. 4
   Lodge your application

   Universität Bern processes applications through www.unibe.ch. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

5. 5
   Confirm receipt and track progress

   Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +41 (31) 631 3470. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Universität Bern

Common questions students ask about Universität Bern — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.

Members of European University Association (EUA)

Joint research grants among European University Association (EUA) members create funded collaborations that often extend to graduate-student opportunities. The network listed below collaborates regularly with Universität Bern.

University of Oxford

Oxford · Public · Rank #10

University College London

London · Public · Rank #11

University of Cambridge

Cambridge · Public · Rank #26

Imperial College London

London · Public · Rank #28

Universiteit van Amsterdam

Amsterdam · Public · Rank #31

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Alumni networks within a region often outlast individual institutional choice. Universities near Universität Bern share post-grad employer connections that benefit students from any of them.

Where Else to Study Literature

Supervision quality at the Literature programme level is hard to assess externally but affects research output and graduate-school placement. Talk to current students or alumni where possible.

Universität Zürich

Zürich · Public · Rank #127

Université de Genève

Geneva · Public · Rank #317

Universität Basel

Basel · Public · Rank #339

University of Fribourg

Fribourg · Public · Rank #971

University of Neuchâtel

Neuchâtel · Public · Rank #1920

Universities Often Compared with Universität Bern

Rankings methodologies differ across peer institutions to Universität Bern. National, subject-specific, and international rankings can all tell different stories about the same set of universities.

Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen

Aachen · Public · Rank #232

Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Erlangen · Public · Rank #221

Technische Universität Dresden

Dresden · Public · Rank #243

Aix-Marseille Université

Marseille · Public · Rank #258

Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

Bonn · Public · Rank #260