Erasmus guide University of Bern
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Bern in Bern, Switzerland.
City
BernCountry
SwitzerlandInternational
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Enrollment
19,600 students
Study abroad at University of Bern: overview
Study abroad at University of Bern makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. The University of Bern, founded in 1834, is a mid-sized public university with around 19,608 students across eight faculties: theology, humanities, law, medicine, science, veterinary medicine, human sciences, and economics and social sciences. Useful proof points: 19,600 students; Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.; Space Research (PlanetS — planetary system formation, ties to the Swiss space programme), Climate Science (Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research), Molecular and Biomedical Sciences (TransCure, MUST national research centres). Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
19,600 students
International Mix
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Space Research (PlanetS — planetary system formation, ties to the Swiss space programme), Climate Science (Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research), Molecular and Biomedical Sciences (TransCure, MUST national research centres) 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), English (many master's and PhD programmes, particularly in the sciences)
Exchange & application at University of Bern
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At University of Bern, 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 UniBE online application, a learning agreement or course plan, valid passport/ID, and proof of health insurance. Non-EU/EFTA students additionally need visa and residence-permit documentation.
📨Nomination Process
Contact your home university's international/exchange office; they nominate you to the relevant UniBE faculty coordinator before the published deadline (30 April for autumn, 30 September for spring; Veterinary Medicine uses 30 April for both semesters).
🛂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 | 30 April | 30 April — online application at incoming.unibe.ch once nominated |
| Spring semester | 30 September | 30 September — online application at incoming.unibe.ch once nominated |
Arrival Checklist
- Start the private-market housing search immediately on nomination — the University of Bern offers no housing of its own.
- Register with the commune of Bern within the legally required window after arrival.
- Join the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) buddy system for help settling in.
Academics & courses at University of Bern
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 happens after admission is confirmed, through each faculty's own enrolment system; exchange students should confirm course language (German vs. English) carefully, since this varies by faculty.
🎓Credit System
ECTS
💯Grading System
Swiss 1–6 scale: 6 is the best grade, 4 is the minimum pass.
✍️Exam Culture
Exam sessions fall in January/February (autumn semester) and summer, roughly June–August (spring semester); exchange students should confirm their own faculty's exact exam dates before booking return travel.
📚Library Access
Library, learning platform and study spaces normally activate after enrolment.
Tuition & fees at University of Bern
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 | Expected CHF 0 under standard SEMP/Erasmus reciprocity — not found verbatim on an official UniBE page | Confirm directly with the relevant faculty exchange coordinator before relying on this for a specific application. |
| Full degree (all levels) | CHF 850/semester base fee for Swiss/EU students, plus an additional CHF 1,700/semester surcharge for non-Swiss students, plus a CHF 34 semester fee and a CHF 25 student-union (SUB) fee | Confirmed directly on the University of Bern's official semester-fee page; applies to full-degree students, not exchange students, who are categorised separa… |
| 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. |
Expected CHF 0 under standard SEMP/Erasmus reciprocity — not found verbatim on an official UniBE page
Confirm directly with the relevant faculty exchange coordinator before relying on this for a specific application.
CHF 850/semester base fee for Swiss/EU students, plus an additional CHF 1,700/semester surcharge for non-Swiss students, plus a CHF 34 semester fee and a CHF 25 student-union (SUB) fee
Confirmed directly on the University of Bern's official semester-fee page; applies to full-degree students, not exchange students, who are categorised separa…
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 University of Bern
Housing near University of Bern 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 University of Bern
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
The University of Bern does not operate its own general medical clinic for students; students use Bern's ordinary system of Hausarzt (GP) practices and Permanence walk-in clinics, with 144 for ambulance emergencies.
🧠Mental Health
Not explicitly published on an official UniBE page in this research pass — confirm current counselling resources with the Welcome Center or SUB 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
Application and Deadlines — SEMP/Erasmus incoming students
Official deadlines, nomination process, and online application link for incoming European exchange students.
Welcome Center — Accommodation guidance
Confirms the university provides no housing of its own and lists private lodging providers and contract types.
Studierendenschaft der Universität Bern (SUB) — Student Union
Job centre, accommodation office, legal advice, and free entry to cultural events for enrolled students.
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Bern
Social and cultural activities plus a buddy system specifically for incoming exchange students.
Student life at University of Bern
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.
Student Clubs
- SUB lists subject-specific and interest-based student clubs each semester — browse the current directory via the Student Union's site.
Buddy Program
ESN Bern runs a dedicated buddy system pairing incoming exchange students with local mentors.
Public Groups & Communities
SUB — official University of Bern Student Union, job centre, and housing board
ESN Bern — Erasmus Student Network social and cultural events
Your First 2 Weeks
- Confirm housing first via Stuwo, WG-Zimmer.ch, or HousingAnywhere — the university offers none of its own.
- Register with the commune of Bern within the legally required window after moving in.
- Join ESN Bern's buddy programme and check the official exam schedule before booking return travel.
Key exchange dates at University of Bern
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
Nomination + application deadline (Autumn semester)
30 April
Home university nominates by email to the relevant UniBE faculty coordinator; student then applies online at incoming.unibe.ch.
-
2
Nomination + application deadline (Spring semester)
30 September
Same nomination flow as autumn but on a spring-intake timeline.
-
3
Autumn semester teaching period
Mid-September to late December
Followed by the January/February exam session — confirm exact dates with your faculty.
Campus events hub: Browse all events