Study abroad in Bern
Housing, Erasmus groups, universities, costs and student life for exchange students in Bern.
Country
SwitzerlandStudy abroad in Bern: student life
Study abroad in Bern works best when you balance university fit, housing and daily routine, not just the postcard version of the city. Switzerland's federal capital: a compact UNESCO old town on a bend of the Aare river, home to the University of Bern and Bern University of Applied Sciences, with a calmer, less touristic feel than Zürich or Geneva. Check neighbourhoods and campus routes before falling for the centre.
Who loves this city?
Students who want a serious, mid-sized Swiss university experience without Zürich's price intensity or Geneva's international-organisation bustle — Bern is the federal capital but feels more like a large town than a metropolis.
What makes it special
A UNESCO World Heritage old town, the Aare river you can float down after class, and the seat of the Swiss federal government all sit inside a 15-minute walk of the University of Bern's main building — a rare combination of history, nature, and political relevance at a manageable scale.
Newcomer shocks
- Bern is much quieter than Zürich or Geneva at night — this is a deliberate trade-off for lower stress, not a lack of things to do.
- Sunday is a genuine shutdown: almost all shops are closed, and loud activity is socially and sometimes legally restricted, as across Switzerland.
- Switzerland is not in the EU, so visa/residence-permit paperwork (commune registration, permit B) is more involved than the Erasmus-zone norm.
Weather in Bern & what to pack
Bern's weather changes commutes, class routines and social plans more than brochures suggest. Use the month table to plan clothing, daylight and the weeks when indoor study becomes easier.
| Month | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January 3.4° / -2.9° | ❄️ Cold, occasional snow, 60.3mm precipitationCold, occasional snow, 60.3mm precipitation, cold | Shortest days of the year — heavy coat and layers needed. |
| February 5.2° / -2.8° | 🌤️ Still cold, 55.5mm precipitationStill cold, 55.5mm precipitation, cool | Days start lengthening but still need winter layers. |
| March 10.3° / 0.3° | 🌧️ Mild with rain, 64.9mm precipitationMild with rain, 64.9mm precipitation, cool | Early spring — sweater weather, occasional sun. |
| April 14.5° / 3.4° | 🌤️ Showery spring, 78.0mm precipitationShowery spring, 78.0mm precipitation, mild | Noticeably longer evenings. |
| May 18.6° / 7.6° | 🌧️ Warm with frequent rain, 112.4mm precipitation, one of the wettest monthsWarm with frequent rain, 112.4mm precipitation, one of the wettest months, mild | Aare-floating season starts for the brave. |
| June 22.5° / 11.3° | 🌤️ Warm, can be stormy, 101.5mm precipitationWarm, can be stormy, 101.5mm precipitation, warm | Long days, Aare river swimming in full swing. |
| July 24.6° / 13° | 🌤️ Warmest month, 108.0mm precipitationWarmest month, 108.0mm precipitation, warm | Peak Aare and Gurtenfestival season. |
| August 24.2° / 12.9° | 💧 Hot and humid, 112.3mm precipitationHot and humid, 112.3mm precipitation, warm | Still full summer; occasional thunderstorms. |
| September 19.4° / 9.2° | 🌤️ Mild autumn start, 87.0mm precipitationMild autumn start, 87.0mm precipitation, mild | Good arrival month for the autumn semester. |
| October 14° / 5.5° | 🌤️ Cooling fast, 86.5mm precipitationCooling fast, 86.5mm precipitation, mild | Layer up; fog over the Aare some mornings. |
| November 7.7° / 1° | ☁️ Cold and grey, 76.9mm precipitationCold and grey, 76.9mm precipitation, cool | Zibelemärit lights up an otherwise gloomy month. |
| December 3.8° / -2.1° | ❄️ Cold, occasional snow, 78.5mm precipitationCold, occasional snow, 78.5mm precipitation, cold | Christmas markets, shortest daylight of the year. |
Packing checklist
- Bring a proper winter coat, hat, and gloves for December–February — damp cold, not dry cold.
- A reliable rain jacket matters: May is the wettest month on average.
- Pack at least one smart-casual outfit — Swiss social and academic settings lean slightly more formal than many exchange students expect.
Cost of living for students in Bern
The budget to study abroad in Bern is mostly rent-led: use CHF 700-1280/month for rooms and CHF 1900-2700/month as the wider monthly planning range. Keep a buffer for deposit, transport and first-week setup.
| Category | Range / mo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private Room Rent | CHF 700 – 1,280 | The University of Bern offers no student housing of its own; figures are drawn from ImmoScout24 listings in the main student districts (Länggasse from ~CHF 1,280 for a flat; Breitenrain-Lorraine generally cheaper) and private lodging providers such as Stuwo. Confirm current listings directly — Bern's private rental market moves fast. |
| Transport | CHF 80 – 82 | Numbeo-reported range for a Bernmobil/Libero monthly pass; the official Libero/Bernmobil tariff page was not directly confirmed at time of writing — treat as directional only and verify before budgeting. |
| Groceries | CHF 230 – 380 | Based on Numbeo per-item grocery prices (milk CHF 1.82/L, eggs CHF 6.45/dozen) scaled to a typical single-student monthly basket; directional only. |
Going out & dining
Supermarket basket
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Student housing in Bern
Housing in Bern should be solved before arrival: compare neighbourhood, campus route and contract terms, not just price. Use official contacts, verified platforms and student groups, and avoid rushed deposits.
Länggasse
Lower than the city centre, but the highest of the four student areas listed here.Walking distance to the university's main faculty buildings, with the densest cluster of cheap student food options in the city.
Breitenrain
Among the most affordable in the city.Lively district near the Aare with cafés and good tram connections; one of Bern's more affordable rental zones.
Lorraine
Among the most affordable in the city, limited stock.Alternative, artsy neighbourhood across the Aare, popular with students wanting a less central, less formal atmosphere.
Mattenhof
Moderate.Quiet residential district with reasonable tram access to both the university and the Hauptbahnhof.
Where to search
Official contacts
Host university accommodation or international office
Start with your host university in Bern; they usually publish residence routes, partner platforms or scam warnings.
Student residences
University residences and student halls
Useful first landing if you accept less flexibility and apply early.
Private platforms
Student groups
ESN and international student groups
Useful for room leads, flatmates and scam warnings; still verify contract and identity.
Documents to prepare
Passport and, for non-EU/EFTA citizens, the approved permit B paperwork
Admission or exchange confirmation letter from the University of Bern or BFH
Proof of funds or guarantor details if requested by a private landlord
Deposit funds (often 1–3 months' rent) and a signed lease
Swiss health insurance confirmation, needed for commune registration shortly after arrival
Timing
Start the private-market search as early as possible — the university provides no housing of its own, so there is no institutional waiting list to rely on.
Register with the local commune within the legally required window after moving in.
Keep a short-term arrival option (hostel, sublet) ready in case private housing isn't confirmed before semester start.
Deposit & contract notes
Do not pay a deposit without a written contract, landlord identity and proof the room exists.
Ask whether utilities, internet, building fees and agency fees are included.
Red flags
Never transfer a deposit or first month's rent before signing a written contract and meeting the landlord or living group in person (or via verified video call).
Understand Contract A vs. Contract B before signing — Contract A cannot be terminated before 31 January or 31 July.
Confirm the room and living group in person or via live video before committing.
Is Bern safe for students?
Bern is usually manageable for students, but the real risks are practical: petty theft, late-night routes, housing scams and weak arrival planning. Save 112 and test your commute before classes intensify.
Top risks
- Bike theft for unlocked or weakly locked bicycles — Bern has a high cycling rate, similar to other Swiss cities.
- Petty theft and pickpocketing around Bern Hauptbahnhof, especially during rush hour and major events like Zibelemärit.
- Petty scams targeting newcomers in the private rental market (fake listings, deposit fraud), since the university offers no housing of its own.
Getting around Bern
Transport in Bern works best once you pick the right pass or card in week one. A direct campus route often matters more than the most fashionable neighbourhood.
🚊 Bernmobil (tram, bus) + Libero fare network
Covers city trams and buses within Bern. Buy via the Bernmobil/Libero app or ticket machines at any stop.
Under-25 discounts may apply through Libero; confirm current rate directly at bernmobil.ch before relying on a specific figure.
🚌 SBB Half Fare travelcard
Cuts nearly all Swiss train, bus, and boat fares outside the city network in half — useful for weekend trips beyond Bern.
Same price for students as for any resident, but pays for itself within a few trips
🚲 Bike / e-bike
Bern is hilly around the old town but flatter along the Aare and toward Länggasse.
No specific student rate
Things to do in Bern as a student
Events in Bern are not just sightseeing; they help students build groups, understand the city and keep social life affordable. Mix seasonal festivals, local culture and low-cost repeatable plans.
Gurtenfestival
15–18 July 2026
Day/weekend tickets, prices vary by year
One of Switzerland's biggest open-air music festivals, held on the Gurten hill just outside the city — an easy tram-and-funicular ride from the university.
Zibelemärit (Onion Market)
23 November 2026 (4th Monday of November)
Free to attend
Bern's oldest folk tradition — the old town fills before dawn with onion-braid stalls, confetti fights, and onion-flavoured street food; a fast way to feel the city's local culture in your first semester.
Aareschwimmen (Aare river swimming/floating)
May – September
Free
Floating down the Aare from the Marzili or Lorraine bathing spots through the city centre is Bern's defining local rite of passage — every Bernese student grows up doing it, and exchange students pick it up fast. Strong swimmers only; conditions and flow speed vary by week.
BearPark (Bärenpark)
Year-round
Free
Bern's bears live in a free, open-access park on the Aare slopes right below the Old Town — an easy five-minute stop on the way to or from Länggasse.
Bern Münster tower climb
Year-round (seasonal hours)
CHF 5 for the tower; cathedral interior is free
344 steps up Switzerland's tallest cathedral spire end in a panorama over the Old Town's red rooftops, the Aare loop, and the Bernese Alps — one of the cheapest big views in the city.
Gurtenfestival Sunday day-tickets
15–18 July 2026
Single-day tickets cheaper than full festival pass
Even without a full festival pass, single-day tickets to Gurtenfestival on the hill above the city are a lower-cost way to catch a big-name lineup without committing to the whole weekend.
Münsterplattform terrace
Year-round
Free
Elevated terrace next to the cathedral with chess tables, a giant chestnut grove, and a sweeping Aare/Alps view — the default free meeting spot before heading down to Marzili.
Unisport Bern
Year-round, both semesters
Free to low-cost per class/term with Unisport ID
University-run sports programme open to anyone enrolled at the University of Bern or PHBern, ranging from acro yoga to climbing to team sports — register online for a Unisport ID, then book courses through the term.
Bundesplatz fountain field
Year-round, fountains run April – October
Free
The square in front of the Federal Palace switches between a market, a 26-jet ground fountain field students walk and cool off in during summer, and an open-air ice rink in winter.
Bern Christmas markets (Waisenhausplatz + Münsterplattform)
27 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 (Waisenhausplatz); late November – 24 December (Münsterplattform)
Free to browse
Two distinct Christmas markets a few minutes apart — around 50 wooden chalets of gifts and local produce at Waisenhausplatz, plus a smaller handicraft market right next to the cathedral with a view over the Aare.
Student discounts & perks in Bern
Student perks in Bern can reduce transport, food, culture and activities if you carry proof of enrolment. Activate them early because small savings matter by the end of the month.
Food Savings
Too Good To Go
Widely used in Bern to buy surplus bakery, supermarket, and restaurant food at a steep discount.
Get appUniversity of Bern Mensas
Mensa Unitobler (Länggassstrasse 49) and Mensa Gesellschaftsstrasse offer subsidised hot meals for up to CHF 8 — considerably cheaper than eating out anywhere in the city.
Get appConfirm the current Bernmobil/Libero monthly pass rate and any under-25 discount directly at bernmobil.ch before budgeting around the Numbeo-reported CHF 80–82 figure. Fares & passes
Universities in Bern for exchange students
University of Bern, Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) are the main reference points. Compare faculty fit, language, campus route and housing before choosing.
Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
A practice-oriented public university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) with around 7,780 students across departments spanning Business, Engineering, Architecture, Social Work, Health, Agriculture, and the Arts — a hands-on alternative to the academic University of Bern, with several departments based directly in Bern and others in nearby Biel/Bienne and Burgdorf.
University of Bern
A mid-sized, research-strong public university centred on its landmark domed main building near Bern's old town, with eight faculties, around 19,600 students, and recognised strength in climate, space, and biomedical research — a calmer alternative to Zürich or Geneva.
Student social life in Bern
Social life in Bern starts faster when you join ESN, student associations, sport or weekly routines. Do not rely only on nightlife; repeated groups usually build better friendships.
What Students Usually Get Wrong
Meeting Places 3