University of Fribourg
Fribourg, Switzerland • World Rank #971
Overview
Founded in 1889, the University of Fribourg encompasses five faculties where people study, teach and research: Arts and Humanities; Law; Management, Economics and Social Sciences; Science and Medicine; and Theology.
As the only bilingual university in Switzerland, the University of Fribourg offers a wide range of courses of study in French, German or both. A number of courses with an international aspect are also offered in English.
The members of our University community come from 110 countries and make Fribourg, with its 40,000 inhabitants, a university town “par excellence”
Location & Contact
Where University of Fribourg sits geographically, plus the contact channels students use during admissions. Alumni-office inquiries are separate from admissions and have their own contact page.
Academic Details
University of Fribourg's key academic numbers — student body size, faculty composition, and accreditation context. Numbers reflect the most recent figures published by the institution and recognised bodies.
Degrees
More information: https://studies.unifr.ch
Bachelor's 27 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Eastern European Studies
- Economics
- Educational Sciences
- Fine Arts
- French
- Geography
- German
- History
- Information Management
- Information Technology
- Italian
- Law
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Physics
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Social Sciences
- Social Studies
- Theology
Master's 23 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- Geography
- Information Management
- Information Technology
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Social Sciences
- Social Studies
- Spanish
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Theology
Doctoral 37 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Accountancy
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Chemistry
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Eastern European Studies
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Sciences
- English
- European Studies
- European Union Law
- French
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- History
- International Law
- Islamic Studies
- Law
- Linguistics
- Musicology
- Natural Sciences
- Opera
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Slavic Languages
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Teacher Trainers Education
- Theology
Faculties & Divisions
Browse University of Fribourg's departmental structure. Field placement and internship programmes are managed at the faculty level and vary widely in availability and quality.
Arts and Humanities (Faculty) 32 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Classical Languages
- Contemporary History
- Education
- Educational Sciences
- English
- English Studies
- Ethnology
- European Studies
- Foreigners Education
- French
- German
- History
- Italian
- Literature
- Medieval Studies
- Modern History
- Modern Languages
- Musicology
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Romance Languages
- Slavic Languages
- Social Policy
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Teacher Trainers Education
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Law
- Commercial Law
- Criminal Law
- European Union Law
- International Law
- Law
- Private Law
- Public Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Management, Economics and Social Sciences (Faculty) 12 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Computing
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Finance
- International Business
- Management
- Management Systems
- Media Studies
- Political Sciences
- Social Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Medecine (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Theology (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Bible
- Catholic Theology
- Ethics
- History of Religion
- Pastoral Studies
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Religious Practice
Common Career Paths
- Religious Educator
- Pastoral Counsellor
- Faith Community Leader
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
University of Fribourg's programme finder filters by name across all degree levels. Departmental admissions criteria sometimes differ from institutional minimums — verify against the programme page before relying on either.
Bachelor's Degree
59 programmes
These 59 programmes make up University of Fribourg's undergraduate catalogue. A bachelor's degree is the baseline credential for most graduate careers and advanced study.
Teacher Education for Primary Level Education & Teaching
Teacher Education for Secondary Level I Education & Teaching
German as a Foreign Language Linguistics & Language Studies
French as a Foreign Language Linguistics & Language Studies
History History
History of Modern Times History
Contemporary History History
Art History Art History
Musicology and History of Opera Music
Sociology (FR) Social & Cultural Studies
Sociology (DE) Social & Cultural Studies
Social Work and Social Policy (FR) Social Sciences & Education
Social Work and Social Policy (DE) Social Sciences & Education
Eastern European Studies European Studies
Political Science Politics & International Relations
Religious studies
Social Anthropology Social Sciences & Education
Special Education Education & Teaching
Speech-Language Therapy Education & Teaching
Education Sciences Education & Teaching
Pedagogy / Psychology Psychology
Psychology Psychology
Biochemistry Biochemistry
Biology Biological Sciences
Chemistry Chemistry
Earth Sciences
Environmental Sciences and Humanities Environmental Sciences
Geography Geography
Mathematics Mathematics
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Human Medicine Medicine
Biomedical Sciences Biochemistry
Sport Sciences and Motor Control Sport and Exercise Science
Business Informatics Computer Sciences
Computer Science
Theology Religious Studies
Theological Studies
Interreligious Studies
Law Law
Part-time Law studies Law
Management Management & Leadership
Economics Economics
Economic and Legal Studies Law
Business Communication Communication Studies
Communication and Media Research Communication Studies
Communication Studies Communication Studies
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Classics Classical Studies & Ancient History
English Language and Literature Linguistics & Language Studies
French Linguistics & Language Studies
French and German: Bilingualism and Cultural Exchange Linguistics & Language Studies
German Linguistics & Language Studies
German Literary Studies Linguistics & Language Studies
Greek Studies Classical Studies & Ancient History
Italian Linguistics & Language Studies
Latin Studies Classical Studies & Ancient History
Rhaeto-Romance
Slavic Studies Linguistics & Language Studies
Spanish Linguistics & Language Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
80 programmes
These 80 programmes form University of Fribourg's master's offering, combining advanced coursework with independent work that signals readiness for leadership or research.
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Computer Sciences
Digital Neuroscience Neuroscience
Teacher Education for Secondary Level I Education & Teaching
Teacher Education for Baccalaureate Schools Education & Teaching
Teacher Education for Secondary Level I and Baccalaureate Schools Education & Teaching
Digital Society European Studies
Environmental Humanities and Sustainability Studies Environmental Sciences
Family, Children and Youth Studies Humanities & Cultural Studies
Islam and Society Religious Studies
Medieval Studies Humanities & Cultural Studies
German as a Foreign Language / German as a Second Language Linguistics & Language Studies
French as a Foreign Language / French as a Second Language Linguistics & Language Studies
Foreign Language Didactics
Multilingualism Studies Linguistics & Language Studies
History History
General and Swiss History of Modern Times History
Contemporary History History
Art History Art History
Musicology and History of Opera Music
Archaeology Archaeology
Culture, Politics and Religion in Pluralist Societies Religious Studies
Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work Social Sciences & Education
Social Problems, Social Policy and Risk Prevention Social Sciences & Education
Eastern European Studies European Studies
European Studies European Studies
Gender, Society, Social Policy Social Sciences & Education
International and Comparative Social Policy Literature
Sociology of Social Problems Social Sciences & Education
Special Education Education & Teaching
Remedial Education at School (FR) Communication Studies
Remedial Education at School (DE) Communication Studies
Education Sciences Education & Teaching
Pedagogy / Psychology Psychology
Psychology Psychology
Molecular Life and Health Sciences Health Sciences
Environmental Biology Biological Sciences
Chemistry Chemistry
Dynamics in Glaciology and Geomorphology
Earth Sciences
Environmental Sciences and Humanities Environmental Sciences
Geography Geography
Mathematics Mathematics
Nature, Society and Politics
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Human Medicine Medicine
Sport Sciences Sport and Exercise Science
Experimental Biomedical Research Biochemistry
Business Informatics Computer Sciences
Computer Science
Data Analytics & Economics Data Science & Analytics
Theology Religious Studies
Theological Studies
Interreligious Studies
Theology (Canonical License) Religious Studies
Law Law
Legal Studies Law
Management Management & Leadership
Economics Economics
Accounting and Finance Finance, Banking & Insurance
International and European Business European Studies
Marketing
Ethics and Economics Economics
Business Communication Communication Studies
Digital Media & Communication for Social Impact Communication Studies
Digital Communication and Creative Media Production Communication Studies
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Classics Classical Studies & Ancient History
Comparative Literature Literature
English Language and Literature Linguistics & Language Studies
French Linguistics & Language Studies
French: Foundational Curriculum Linguistics & Language Studies
German Linguistics & Language Studies
German Literary Studies Linguistics & Language Studies
Greek Studies Classical Studies & Ancient History
Italian Linguistics & Language Studies
Italian [Double Degree] Linguistics & Language Studies
Latin Studies Classical Studies & Ancient History
Rhaeto-Romance
Slavic Studies Linguistics & Language Studies
Spanish Linguistics & Language Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
50 programmes
Browse 50 programmes of research-degree study at University of Fribourg. Each culminates in a thesis defended before examiners as an original scholarly contribution.
Bioinformatics Computer Sciences
Islam and Society Religious Studies
Language Sciences Linguistics & Language Studies
History History
Contemporary History History
Art History Art History
Musicology Music
Archaeology Archaeology
Sociology (FR) Social & Cultural Studies
Sociology (DE) Social & Cultural Studies
Social Work and Social Policy Social Sciences & Education
Political Science Politics & International Relations
European Studies European Studies
Religious Studies
Social Anthropology Social Sciences & Education
Social Policy Social Sciences & Education
Special Education Education & Teaching
Education Sciences Education & Teaching
Psychology Psychology
Biochemistry Biochemistry
Biology Biological Sciences
Chemistry Chemistry
Geography Geography
Earth Sciences
Environmental Humanities Environmental Sciences
Geosciences Geography
Materials Science Physics & Astronomy
Mathematics Mathematics
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Medicine Medicine
Medical Sciences
Medical Humanities
Computer Science
Theology Religious Studies
Theological Studies
Study of Religion Religious Studies
Law Law
Legal Studies Law
Economic and Social Sciences Social Sciences & Education
Social Sciences Social Sciences & Education
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Classics Classical Studies & Ancient History
Comparative Literature Literature
English Language and Literature Linguistics & Language Studies
French Language and Literature Linguistics & Language Studies
German Language and Literature Linguistics & Language Studies
Italian Language and Literature Linguistics & Language Studies
Rhaeto-Romance Language and Literature Literature
Slavonic Languages and Literatures Literature
Ibero-Romance Languages and Literatures Literature
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to University of Fribourg
Below is a five-step path through the application process at University of Fribourg, useful for first-time applicants and international students.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
University of Fribourg's catalogue includes 189 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for University of Fribourg's admissions process.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
Submit your completed application through University of Fribourg's official website at www.unifr.ch. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
- 5 Reach out and track your application
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at 41 26 300 7034. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Fribourg
Common questions students ask about University of Fribourg — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
What city is University of Fribourg in?
University of Fribourg operates from Fribourg, Switzerland.
Is University of Fribourg a public or private institution?
University of Fribourg operates as a public institution.
How big is University of Fribourg's student body?
University of Fribourg serves approximately 10,000 students.
Where does University of Fribourg stand in university rankings?
University of Fribourg is ranked #971 globally and #9 in Switzerland.
What degrees does University of Fribourg offer?
University of Fribourg delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
Where can I learn more about University of Fribourg?
University of Fribourg's official website is www.unifr.ch.
Top-Ranked Universities in Switzerland
Industry partnerships of Switzerland's top universities signal employer engagement at the apex of the system. Lower-ranked institutions including University of Fribourg may still partner with strong employers locally.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
If you're weighing University of Fribourg against other institutions in the area, these neighbouring universities offer overlapping faculties and similar admissions cycles. They are useful for shortlisting based on travel distance or campus environment.
Where Else to Study Linguistics & Language Studies
Other universities in Switzerland that teach Linguistics & Language Studies appear below — useful for comparing programme depth against University of Fribourg. Programme structures differ even within the same country, so detailed comparison is worth the effort.
Universities Often Compared with University of Fribourg
Below: institutions that students typically weigh against University of Fribourg when finalising their shortlist. The comparison set reflects scale and prestige; specific programme fit still needs separate verification.
