The University of Bern is a public (cantonal) university in Switzerland’s capital, founded in 1834.[1] In autumn 2025 it had 19,741 registered students; 4,217 of them (21 percent) were foreign nationals.[2] In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 it is 121st.[3]
From the fall semester 2026 the regular tuition fee is CHF 850 per semester. Non-Swiss students who did not have their civil-law residence in Switzerland or Liechtenstein when they obtained their university entrance qualification pay a further CHF 1,700 per semester, which makes CHF 2,550 in total, plus a semester fee of CHF 34.[4] Bachelor’s applicants whose native language is not German must show German at level C1 or pass the University of Bern’s German test.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Universität Bern (University of Bern) |
| Location | Bern, Switzerland (Hochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern)[2] |
| Type | Public (cantonal) university, regulated and financed by the canton of Bern[1] |
| Founded | 1834, when the canton’s liberal government turned the academy into a university[1] |
| Students | 19,741 registered in autumn 2025: 8,014 bachelor’s, 5,213 master’s, 3,588 doctoral, 2,926 further education[2] |
| Origin of students | 6,827 (39 percent; excluding further education) from the canton of Bern; 4,217 (21 percent) foreign nationals[2] |
| Faculties | Eight faculties and some 150 institutes[1] |
| Language of teaching, master’s | German, English or other languages, depending on the programme[6] |
| Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 | 121st[3] |
| Tuition from fall semester 2026 | CHF 850 per semester; plus CHF 1,700 per semester for non-Swiss students without Swiss or Liechtenstein residence at the time of their entrance qualification (CHF 2,550 in total)[4] |
| Semester fee | CHF 34 per semester (members of the student union SUB pay CHF 25 on top)[4] |
| German for bachelor’s applicants | Level C1 or the University of Bern’s German test, unless German is your native language[5] |
| Official website | unibe.ch |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About the University of Bern
The University of Bern was founded in 1834. In that year the liberals, who had taken control of the canton in 1831, turned the existing academy into a university with 45 teaching staff and 167 students.[1] It is regulated and financed by the canton of Bern and has eight faculties: Theology, Law, Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine (Vetsuisse), Humanities, Science, and Human Sciences.[1]
There is no single campus on the edge of town. Most institutes and clinics are in the Länggasse, the traditional university district next to the city centre.[1] For other Swiss universities see our Switzerland ranking.
How is the University of Bern ranked?
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 the University of Bern is 121st.[3] The same THE profile counts 12,295 students, while the university’s own statistics show 19,741 registered students in autumn 2025.[3][2] The THE page does not explain the difference, so we show both.
We could not confirm a position in the QS World University Rankings 2027, because QS blocks automated access and none of the sources we read gave the 2027 figure. Wikipedia’s infobox lists “=184” for the QS edition of 2026.[1] The university itself says it is consistently among the top 200 universities worldwide in the best-known international rankings, and calls rankings of secondary importance for its quality management.[7] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Bern?
The university offers programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level across its eight faculties (see above), plus further education.[2][1] In autumn 2025, 41 percent of students were at bachelor’s level, 26 percent at master’s level, 18 percent at doctoral level and 15 percent in further education.[2]
At master’s level the teaching language is German, English or one or more other languages. For some programmes you need a very good command of English; the “Requirements” tab of each programme lists the language details.[6] Medicine, dental medicine, veterinary medicine and sport science have additional admission requirements.[5]
How much does the University of Bern cost?
| Item | Amount per semester |
|---|---|
| Regular tuition fee (all students) | CHF 850 |
| Additional fee, non-Swiss students without Swiss or Liechtenstein residence at the time of their entrance qualification | CHF 1,700 |
| Tuition in total for this group | CHF 2,550 |
| Semester fee | CHF 34 |
These are the amounts on the university’s fee page, which links the rules “from the fall semester 2026”.[4] The CHF 2,550 is our addition of the first two lines; for two semesters that is CHF 5,100 in tuition. The additional fee depends on residence at the time of the entrance qualification to a bachelor’s programme, not on nationality alone.[4]
Transitional rule and exemptions
- Non-Swiss students who were already enrolled before the fall semester 2026 (enrolment in spring 2026 is decisive) keep the previous additional fee of CHF 200 until they finish their current level of study, bachelor’s or master’s.[4]
- Students who acquire Swiss citizenship while registered are exempt from the additional fee.[4]
- The Executive Board can waive the increase fully or partly in cases of hardship.[4]
- Recognised refugees (B permit), provisionally admitted persons (F permit), persons in need of protection (S status) and asylum seekers (N permit) can apply for an exemption from the additional fee starting in the spring semester 2027.[4]
- Long-term students pay CHF 1,700 in the first semester after the twelve-semester limit; the fee doubles with each further semester.[4]
- Members of the student union SUB pay CHF 25 per semester on top of the semester fee.[4]
Tuition is only part of the bill. For rent and living costs see our Switzerland guide and the Study in Switzerland guide.
How do you apply to the University of Bern?
The route depends on your school-leaving certificate and the level.
- Bachelor’s with a Swiss Matura: with a Swiss high-school leavers’ certificate (Matura), or a Swiss vocational or specialised baccalaureate with the “Passerelle” examination, you can apply directly. Medical degree programmes are the exception.[8]
- Bachelor’s with an international certificate: you need either an international university degree from a state or state-recognised university after at least three years of study, or you must meet the country-specific admission requirements. For some countries, whose certificate differs considerably from the Matura, admission is possible only after the supplementary examination for studying at a Swiss university.[5] You apply online and submit the documents in paper form.[5]
- Master’s with an international degree: you need an international university degree from a recognised university after at least three years of study. Trainings and further-training qualifications such as an Executive Master, certificates and diplomas are not recognised. A checklist for each subject lists the documents, payments and tests.[9]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year; see the application-deadlines page of the university. Faculties assess the applications and the Admissions Office is responsible for admission.[8]
Which language level do you need?
Bachelor’s. If German is not your native language, you must show German at level C1 or equivalent, or take a German test at the University of Bern.[5] The university’s language sheet (dated 16 June 2026) accepts either native-speaker status or the language of instruction of your school-leaving certificate; everyone else takes the test.[10] Generally exempt from the test are holders of, among others, the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or C2, telc Deutsch C1, TestDaF with at least 4 in each part, DSD II, ÖSD C1 and DSH 2 or 3. No other German tests or certificates are recognised.[10]
An exemption can be requested for the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of Humanities. For the faculties of Law, Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine (Vetsuisse), Human Sciences and Science the sheet lists no exemption.[10]
Master’s. The language depends on the programme: some require German or very good English, and the checklist for your subject states whether a certificate is needed. If none is required, you are responsible for having enough language skills to follow teaching.[9] We found no general English score on the pages we read, so check the programme page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are tuition fees at the University of Bern for international students?
From the fall semester 2026: CHF 850 regular tuition plus CHF 1,700 additional fee per semester if you are non-Swiss and had no Swiss or Liechtenstein residence when you obtained your entrance qualification, so CHF 2,550 per semester, plus a CHF 34 semester fee.[4]
Did the fees for foreign students at Bern go up in 2026?
Yes. The additional fee for non-Swiss students is now CHF 1,700 per semester. Students enrolled before the fall semester 2026 keep the previous additional fee of CHF 200 until they finish their current level of study.[4]
Do I need to speak German to study at the University of Bern?
How is the University of Bern ranked?
It is 121st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.[3] We could not confirm a QS 2027 position.
How do I apply as an international student?
For a bachelor’s you apply online and submit paper documents; you need a recognised foreign certificate or a university degree of at least three years.[5] For a master’s you need an international degree from a recognised university after at least three years, and a checklist for your subject applies.[9]
More about studying in Switzerland
- Switzerland: best universities
- Study in Switzerland: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Switzerland
- Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
- EPFL
- ETH Zurich
- FHNW
- Franklin Switzerland
- Geneva Graduate Institute
- HES-SO
- IMD Business School
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)
- University of Basel
- University of Fribourg
- University of Geneva
- University of Lausanne
- University of Lucerne
- University of Neuchâtel
- University of St.Gallen (HSG)
- University of Zurich
- Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
- Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: University of Bern (history, faculties and campus; QS 2026 infobox entry)
[2] University of Bern: Students (facts and figures) (page without a date; figures for autumn 2025)
[3] Times Higher Education: University of Bern (page without a date; World University Rankings 2027 data)
[4] University of Bern: Tuition and Semester Fees (page without a date; rules from the fall semester 2026)
[5] University of Bern: Bachelor’s application with an international school-leaving certificate or degree (page without a date; refers to the admission requirements 2026/27)
[6] University of Bern: Master’s application and admission (page without a date)
[7] University of Bern: Rankings (page without a date)
[8] University of Bern: Bachelor’s application with a Swiss Matura or degree (page without a date)
[9] University of Bern: Master’s application with an international degree (page without a date; refers to the admission requirements 2026/27)
[10] University of Bern: German language skills at bachelor level (PDF) (document dated 16 June 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.