Erasmus guide Bern University of Applied Sciences
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Bern University of Applied Sciences in Bern, Switzerland.
City
BernCountry
SwitzerlandInternational
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Enrollment
7,780 students
Study abroad at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH): overview
Study abroad at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH — Berner Fachhochschule) is a public Fachhochschule with around 7,780 students spread across departments in Business, Technology and Computer Science, Architecture/Wood/Civil Engineering, Health, Social Work, Agricultural/Forest/Food Sciences (HAFL), and the Arts (HKB). Useful proof points: 7,780 students; Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.; Applied Engineering and Computer Science, Social Work, Health Sciences. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
7,780 students
International Mix
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Applied Engineering and Computer Science, Social Work, Health Sciences and are willing to check language, seats and campus rules before choosing. In bern, housing and the daily route matter as much as reputation.
Language of instruction: German (most bachelor's programmes, Level B2-C2 required), English (a smaller number of master's programmes, including Digital Business Administration and Biomedical Engineering, Level B2-C1 required)
Exchange & application at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
✅Requirements
Exchange students need a home-university nomination, the BFH online application, a learning agreement or course plan, valid passport/ID, proof of health insurance, and proof of the required language level. Non-EU/EFTA students additionally need visa and residence-permit documentation.
📨Nomination Process
Contact your home university's international/exchange office; recommended nomination by 31 March for the autumn semester (application deadline 15 April) or 30 September for the spring semester (application deadline 15 October).
🛂Visa Support
EU/EFTA students do not need a visa but must register with the commune and apply for a residence permit (Permit B) if staying over 90 days. Non-EU/EFTA students need a Type D student visa from a Swiss representation before travelling, then convert it to a Permit B after arrival.
🧭Orientation Week
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn semester | 31 March (recommended) | 15 April |
| Spring semester | 30 September (recommended) | 15 October |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm which BFH site your programme is based at (Bern, Biel/Bienne, Burgdorf, or Zollikofen) before arranging housing.
- Start the private-market housing search early — BFH has no central campus housing of its own.
- Register with the commune within the legally required window after arrival.
Academics & courses at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
Academics combine ECTS credits, exam calendars and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, the real teaching language of each course and whether course lists can change before enrolment.
📝Course Registration
Course registration is coordinated by the relevant department's international advisor after admission is confirmed; course availability for exchange students varies significantly by department and site.
🎓Credit System
ECTS
💯Grading System
Swiss 1–6 scale: 6 is the best grade, 4 is the minimum pass.
✍️Exam Culture
Assessment is spread across practical projects and applied coursework more than at traditional universities, but written exams during the standard Swiss exam sessions (January/February and June/July) still apply for many modules — confirm with your department.
📚Library Access
Library, learning platform and study spaces normally activate after enrolment.
Tuition & fees at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
For exchange, separate home tuition, local admin fees, insurance and living costs. Full-degree tuition is a different category and must be checked on the official fee page.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | CHF 0 for SEMP/Erasmus+ exchange students | Confirmed via BFH's official Global Engagement Office page. |
| Full degree (all levels) | Current CHF figures are published on BFH's official fee schedule, which varies by department and student category — not independently re-verified against a specific number in this research pass | Confirm the exact current fee directly with the relevant department before relying on a specific figure, per Rule 1. |
| Full degree - EU/EEA | Check official fee page | Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status. |
| Full degree - non-EU/EEA | Check programme and canton rules | Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page. |
CHF 0 for SEMP/Erasmus+ exchange students
Confirmed via BFH's official Global Engagement Office page.
Current CHF figures are published on BFH's official fee schedule, which varies by department and student category — not independently re-verified against a specific number in this research pass
Confirm the exact current fee directly with the relevant department before relying on a specific figure, per Rule 1.
Check official fee page
Full-degree fees depend on programme, credits and region; do not mix them with exchange status.
Check programme and canton rules
Non-EU/EEA students can face different programme rules; verify the official page.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
Housing near Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Bern
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin mistakes from becoming blockers.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — basic LAMal/KVG-compliant health insurance is legally required for all residents, including exchange students staying more than 3 months.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
No
🏥Campus Clinic
BFH does not operate its own general medical clinic for students; students use the ordinary Swiss system of Hausarzt (GP) practices and Permanence walk-in clinics, with 144 for ambulance emergencies.
🧠Mental Health
Not explicitly published on an official BFH page in this research pass — confirm current counselling resources with the Global Engagement Office on arrival.
Standard Swiss LAMal/KVG basic insurance
Approx. CHF 250–400/month, varies by canton and insurer
Mandatory baseline coverage; compare insurers via the official priminfo.admin.ch comparison tool.
EU/EFTA home-country exemption
Home-country dependent
EU/EFTA students can apply to be exempted from Swiss insurance if their home policy provides equivalent coverage — apply within 3 months of arrival via the cantonal health authority.
Campus services
Global Engagement Office (Information for Partner Universities)
Central office for exchange agreements, nomination, and incoming-student coordination across all BFH departments.
Students from abroad
General guidance page for all incoming international and exchange students.
Accommodation guidance
BFH's own housing guidance, including estimated monthly living-cost ranges.
Student life at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, ESN or faculty groups. Do not wait for the campus to do all the work; join repeated channels early.
Key exchange dates at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Recommended nomination (Autumn semester)
31 March
Followed by the formal application deadline of 15 April.
-
2
Recommended nomination (Spring semester)
30 September
Followed by the formal application deadline of 15 October.
Campus events hub: Browse all events