The University of Bern is a prominent and public research institution of higher education in Swiss which is the capital of Bern. It was established in 1834.
History of the University of Bern
Early History
The basis of this university was laid in the 16th century when the renovation made it essential for new rectors to be educated in a higher education institution.
As a part of the reformation of higher education in 1805, the government of Bern altered the previous School of Theology into an Academy with 4 faculties. Not only Political Leader but also Lawyers and physicians could complete their education in Bern.
The Old University
In 1831, the Liberals gained victory in the Canton of Bern by the struggles among Conservatives and Liberals during the renewal. In 1834, the Academy was changed into a university under the administration. Approximately 45 Lecturers provided education to roundabout 167 students.
Also, this facilitated people from other social classes to obtain higher education. Higher Education Institutions could develop more progressively after the Federal State was formed because of the political situation in 1848. The number of students surpassed 500 for the first time in 1885.
This figure had doubled by the turn of the century. Thus, the University of Bern was the largest university at that time in Switzerland. Overseas students were responsible for the fastest development. Half of the population of the student population of this university came from Germany and Russia. After 1870, they included female Russian students.
The New University
At the end of the 19th century, the university in Langgasse extended with the prosperity of Bern. The Langgass district was home to a variety of new university departments and the new main building was inaugurated on the Grosse Schanze in 1903.
Also, the number of faculties increased. In Faculty of Independent Catholic Theology was opened in 1874 and Natural & Social Sciences was divided in 1921 into the Faculty of Science and Humanities. Three personalities were responsible for the limelight of this university in 1908-1909.
Albert Einstein started teaching Theoretical Physics for 3 semesters and Anna Tumarkin who was the Russian philosopher was chosen as a professor. He was the first lecturer in Europe enable to accept Doctoral and Professorial students. Bern unified its position as a Cantonal Higher Education institution with almost 2,000 students in the following years.
The Modern University
This university was needed for the magnification of the Academic and Technical Sector of Education in the 1950s. This university already had almost 5000 students in 1968. This fast expansion forced a modification of the University Law. A solution was found when an incompletely revised law was passed in 1989.
A modern and fully revised University Law came into force in 1996 and altered this university from a management department into an autonomous institution with an authorized entity. Also, this Act resulted in a service agreement between the higher education institutions and the state. In 1992, the university passed another milestone as the number of students raised to 10,000.
Rector of the University of Bern
Christian J. Leumann is the Rector of this university.
Student Enrolled at the University of Bern
|
Academic Year |
Students |
|
2014-2015 |
17,428 |
|
2015-2016 |
17,430 |
|
2016-2017 |
17,514 |
|
2017-2018 |
17,882 |
| 2018-2019 |
18,019 |
| 2019-2020 |
18,576 |
| 2020-2021 |
19,230 |
| 2021-2022 |
19,441 |
| 2022-2023 |
19,297 |
Admission Requirements at the University of Bern
For Bachelors Admission:
- Online Application
- Application Fee: CHF 105
- Certified Photocopies of School Leaving Certificate
- CV or Resume
- General Educational Character
- Completion of 11 School years of which at least three years at Academic Upper Secondary School
- German Language Proficiency is equal to C1.
For Masters Admission:
- Online Application
- Recognized Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized Foreign University
- CV or Resume
- General Educational Character
- German Language Proficiency equal to C1
Tuition Fees at the University of Bern
Bachelor Tuition Fees
|
Student Type |
Annual Tuition Fees |
|
Domestic Students |
1,500 CHF |
| International Students |
1,900 CHF |
Master Tuition Fees
|
Student Type |
Annual Tuition Fees |
|
Domestic Students |
1,500 CHF |
| International Students |
1,900 CHF |
Ranking of the University of Bern
In 2024, this university ranks as # 126th by QS World University Rankings. Also, this university is ranked:
- As # 107th in Best Global Universities
- As # 39th in Best Global Universities in Europe
- As # 4th in Best Global Universities in Switzerland
Ranking in 2022-2023
|
Institution Name |
University of Bern |
|
World Rank |
139th |
|
National Rank |
6th |
| Education Rank |
151st |
| Employability Rank |
1068th |
Academic Programs at the University of Bern
Bachelors Degree Programs:
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Biology
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry & Molecular Sciences
- Classics
- Computer Science
- Dental Medicine
- Earth Sciences
- Eastern European Studies
- Economics
- Education
- English
- French Linguistics & Literature
- Geography
- German Language and Literature
- History
- Medicine
- Mathematics
- Musicology
- Law
- Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Physics
- Social Sciences
- Philosophy
- Sport Science
- Theatre Studies
Master Degree Programs:
- Applied Economics Analysis
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomedical Sciences
- Business & Economics
- Business Administration
- Ancient Judaism
- Dental Medicine
- Climate Sciences
- Computer Science
- Ecology & Evolution
- English
- Education
- Editorial Studies
- European Archaeology
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Political Science
- Pharmacy
- Molecular Life Sciences
- World Literature
- Statistics & Data Science
Faculties at the University of Bern
- Faculty Theology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine
- Vetsuisse Faculty
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Human Sciences
- Faculty of Science
University Library
The University Library Bern which is also known as UB has almost 29 libraries Academic Field & Faculty Libraries as well as the Munstergasse Library and the institute libraries. UB is the library of the university. Also, it is a public Academic Cantonal Library. The UB (University Library Bern) offers:
- Proper Learning Environment
- Books & Professional Journals
- E-Journals, E-Books and Specialist Databases
- Courses on Professional Researching, Citing and Writing
- Support & Infrastructure for Academic Publications
- A Storage Area for publications of the university
- Data for the Publication Lists of Researchers
- Old Prints and Historical Maps
- Special Collections like Rossica Europeana of the Swiss Library of Eastern Europe and many others
General University Institutions
There are almost 6 centers with specialized roles and interfaculty units maintained by this university which are:
- Collegium General
- Walter Benjamin Kolleg
- Interdisciplinary Center for Gender Studies
- Microscopy Imaging Center
- Experimental Animal Center
- Center for Continuing University Education
Interdisciplinary Centers
There are almost 10 strategic centers which are:
- Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics
- ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine
- Center for Development & Environment
- Center for Regional Economic Development
- Center for Space & Habitability
- Center of Competence for Public Management
- Multi-disciplinary Center for Climate Change Diseases
- Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research
- World Trade Institute
Museums & Collections at the University of Bern
- General History of Medicine Collection
- Rare Books, University Library Bern
- Collection of Antiques of the University of Bern (Institute of Archaeological Sciences)
- Botanical Garden Bern
- Bernensia, University Library Bern
- Collection of Spectacles
- Digibern, University Library Bern
- Map Collection, University Library Bern
- Collection of Microscopes, Institute for the History of Medicine
- Rossica, University Library Bern
Affiliations
- Guild of European Research Intensive Universities
- Swiss Universities
Contact Us
Address:
Hochschulstrasse 4, Bern 3012, Switzerland
Phone No:
+41 31 684 81 11
Official Website
unibe.ch
Discover More Universities:
- The World’s Top Universities
- List Of Best Colleges In The World
- World’s Best Schools List
- Top Universities in Japan
- Top Universities in the UK
- Top Universities in China
- Top Universities in the USA
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What GPA do you require to get admission at the University of Bern?
The minimum GPA required to get into this university is 3.
What acceptance rate does this university have?
The acceptance rate of this university is nearly about 19%.
What is the student distribution ratio at this university?
The ratio of male to female students at this university is nearly about 41: 59.