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Last updated: May 24, 2026

University of Bern

Switzerland · Bern

University of Bern

Switzerland
Country
Bern
City
19741
Total Students
Status
About the University

University of Bern overview

The University of Bern, whose roots can be traced back to the sixteenth century, is a public university located in Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Having served as a high school from 1500 to 1834, as an “old university” from 1834 to 1900, as a “new university” from 1900 to 1950, and as a “modern university” from 1950 to 2000 — and having reached its current status with the Bologna reforms beginning in 2000 — the University of Bern is the third-largest university in Switzerland, providing higher education opportunities to more than 19,000 students, over 2,200 of whom are international students, across eight faculties and more than 150 institutes.

About the University

About University of Bern

The University of Bern, whose roots can be traced back to the sixteenth century, is a public university located in Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Having served as a high school from 1500 to 1834, as an “old university” from 1834 to 1900, as a “new university” from 1900 to 1950, and as a “modern university” from 1950 to 2000 — and having reached its current status with the Bologna reforms beginning in 2000 — the University of Bern is the third-largest university in Switzerland, providing higher education opportunities to more than 19,000 students, over 2,200 of whom are international students, across eight faculties and more than 150 institutes.

City
Bern
Country
Switzerland
Number of Students
19741
#108
Times Universities
#184
QS World
#3
National Ranking
61
Quality Score
#151
Shanghai List
Faculties & Programs

University of Bern faculties and programs

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Campus

Take a closer look at University of Bern

The majority of the buildings affiliated with the University of Bern, which is located in the heart of Bern — the capital of Switzerland — are situated in Länggasse, a traditional university district adjacent to the city center.

Since nearly all of the university's affiliated buildings are within walking distance of one another, the University of Bern has chosen not to become a campus university; instead, it prefers to renovate old and unused buildings in the city center to make them suitable for education and instruction — for example, some institutes within the Faculty of Humanities are now housed in Unitobler, a former chocolate factory.

A former hospital whose renovation project was completed in 2005 now serves as a hub for institutes within the university's Faculty of Law and the Department of Economics.

Although virtually every university building is within walking distance of one another, as a capital city, Bern has an extensive urban public transit network consisting of trams, buses, and taxis.

Campus Life

Located in the heart of the city of Bern, the University of Bern is home to 29 separate libraries spread across various points throughout the city. The University of Bern's libraries offer students and faculty members reading rooms, group meeting rooms, and the necessary technical infrastructure, as well as books, professional publications, electronic publications, books, bulletins, specialized databases, courses in professional research, writing, and citation, support and infrastructure for academic publishing.

Although the University of Bern is located in the center of Bern, the capital of Switzerland, and is within walking distance of a large number of restaurants, cafes, pubs, and shops, the University of Bern's Online Store provides the opportunity to shop online for products across various categories.

The University of Bern also hosts a student bookstore where students can purchase the books they need, the University of Bern Student Union which represents University of Bern students, restaurants, cafes and bars, more than 120 student clubs and organizations in which students can participate, and sports facilities allocated for students to engage in physical activity.

Student Profile

The University of Bern has an extensive alumni network made up of individuals who have achieved distinction in a variety of fields. Among the university's notable alumni are:

  • Emil Theodor Kocher
  • Georg von Békésy
  • Kurt Wüthrich
  • Walter Rudolf Hess
  • Charles Albert Gobat
  • John le Carré
  • Walter Benjamin
  • Friedrich Dürrenmatt
  • Grigory Zinoviev
  • Liselotte Pulver

Living

University of Bern cost of living

Achievements

University of Bern awards and achievements

  • 3 Nobel Fizyoloji veya Tıp Ödülü Sahibi Mezun/Fakülte Üyesi
  • 1 Nobel Kimya Ödülü Sahibi Mezun/Fakülte Üyesi
  • 1 Nobel Barış Ödülü Sahibi Mezun/Fakülte Üyesi

University of Bern Location

Bern, Switzerland

University of Bern Contact

Email
info.zib@unibe.ch
Phone
+41 31 684 81 11
Website
https://www.unibe.ch/
Address
University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern

University of Bern Social Media

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University of Bern

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Why University of Bern?

Located in Bern, Switzerland, University of Bern is known for its academic excellence, distinguished faculty, and remarkably rich history.

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