Universität Bern

geo logo universiteit Bern exchange destination

Universität Bern is an exchange destination for Utrecht University students of the faculty of Geosciences in Bern, Switzerland.

Student experiences

No student experiences available yet.

Webpages

General information for exchange students

Registration

Course information

Information for exchange students: Welcome to UniBE (pdf)

 

Academic calendar

Academic year

The academic year lasts from August 1 to July 31 of the following year. It is divided into two semesters.

Fall semester: August 1 through January 31
Spring semester: February 1 through July 31

Lecture times for all degree programs (apart from Medicine)

Fall semester: Calendar week 38 to 51 (mid-September to Christmas)
Spring semester: Calendar week 8 to 22 (mid-February to end of May)

Requirements

Since most course are taught in German, a proficient level of German is required. 

Areas of study open to exchange students

Geography

Courses at Master’s level

Yes.

Language of instruction

German and English. Most courses in English are at Master's level.

Housing assistance

Yes, see: Accomodation.

Estimated living costs per month

For your stay in Switzerland, you need at least CHF 1,500 a month for accommodation and food. See the information below for costs in more detail: 

Accommodation (potential additional costs: telephone, internet, Billag*)  620 - 800   CHF  
Health / medical insurance 180 - 400 CHF
Food, household goods 400 - 500 CHF
Public transport 100 CHF
Course material   100 CHF
Miscellaneous 100 - 300 CHF
TOTAL 1,500 - 2,200 CHF

* Every household in Switzerland is obligated to register their receiving devices and pay the radio and television fees. Your fees contribute to the public service offered by radio and television broadcasting in Switzerland. You have to register your receiving devices with Billag even if you pay for cable TV in your ancillary costs. Detailed information are available on the Billag web site.

Credits

The standard unit of study is the semester. The normal load of a semester is 30 credits. The convention of 30 credits/semester was chosen to adjust to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The credits assess the normal volume of a student's work.

Number of places available

2 places per year.