PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The study programs and various graduate schools and centres cover fields from economics and social science, humanities, sciences, law, medicine and veterinary medicine, human sciences and theology. The historic roots of the University of Bern go back to 1528.

Today most of the 160 institutes are located within walking distance of the historic main building. The infrastructure is of very high quality and, thans to its relatively small size of about 18,000 students, the ambience is friendly and personal. Furthermore courses in almost any sport discipline are open to all students.

More than 2400 teaching staff in eight faculties prepare students for their future academic or professional career. The study programs cover fields from economics and social science, humanities, natural sciences, law, medicine and veterinary medicine, human sciences and theology. There are 46 undergraduate programs, 80 graduate programs and over 200 further education courses with 4200 academic qualifications per year.

HOUSING

ISEP students can book rooms in local student dormitories. Students will receive a monthly stipend for both housing and meals, and will pay the monthly rent using the stipend they receive.

MEALS

ISEP students will receive a combined housing and meal stipend based on the cost of living for students in Bern. After rental payments, the remaining sum can be used to purchase groceries and cook meals in shared facilities.

All students will be expected to budget for their meals accordingly, and can ask their ISEP Student Services Coordinator for tips, as well as check out ISEP's resources for Budgeting for Study Abroad

SCHOLARSHIP

This program qualifies for the ISEP French and German Language Annette Kade Fund Scholarship. The scholarship awards $500 - $1,500 USD to students who are from a U.S. institution and studying French or German language in Austria, France, Germany, Reunion Island, or Switzerland. Learn more here!

Program Website

Course Description

Courses in English

Courses at the University of Bern can be found through their search engine. You can see additional course information by department here

Courses in German

German majors are encouraged to enroll in courses at the Institute of Germanic Languages and Literatures. Students with advanced German Language levels can also elect to take most courses taught in German at the Universität Bern.

Students with a minimal foundation in German (A2 minimum) are encouraged to register for a German as a second language course during the semester as well as the German Language pre-session (A1.2 through C1 level). Combining the pre-session and the semester long German course provides students with a approximately 6 ECTS or 3 US credits of German as a second language. 

Academic Considerations

Students attending the Universität Bern should select the majority of their courses from one department. This department should be related to the degree the student is pursuing at their home university. 

Upper-level undergraduate students may be able to enroll in Masters-level coursework, provided they meet course pre-requisites and obtain departmental approval (exceptions are indicated in the course catalogue).

Semester Names - Please note the following term names when looking for courses at Uni Bern:

ISEP Spring Semester = Bern Frühjahrssemester (FS)

ISEP Fall Semester = Bern Herbstsemester (HS)

Website for Course Availability

ISEP STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER Quiamony Gaskins 703-504-9963 | QGaskins@isep.org Thank you for your interest in ISEP Study Abroad! I’m your Student Services Officer and main point of contact here at ISEP. As you search for programs, I’ll be available to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact me at any point in your search process for help, tips or advice.

Academics

Undergraduate
(in English)

Fields of Study

  • Business:

    Business Management Economics

  • English Language and Literature

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures

    German Language and Literature

  • Social Sciences:

    Political Science and Government Sociology

Academic Requirements

  • U.S. GPA: 2.75 or higher
  • TOEFL iBT Score: 95
  • IELTS Score: 7.5
  • LPR accepted as alternate to TOEFL or IELTS
  • LPR Writing Score: C1 - Advanced Plus-Superior
  • LPR Reading Score: C1 - Advanced Plus-Superior
  • LPR Listening Score: C1 - Advanced Plus-Superior
  • LPR Speaking Score: C1 - Advanced Plus-Superior
LPR = ISEP Language Proficiency Report

Special Application Instructions

Students interested in taking courses in German must have a B2 in German. Please reach out to your ISEP Student Services Officer if you wish to take coursework in German. EXCEPTION: Students of all German levels (beginer through advanced) can enroll in the german pre-session as well as the German as a second language courses during the semester as mentioned above. 

Students must have completed their previous undergraduate studies in the same or a discipline which is close to the study field which they would like to attend during their exchange

Special Needs Support

  • Mental Health
  • Mobility
  • Hearing
  • Speech
  • Learning

Graduate
(in English)

Fields of Study

  • Business: Recommended!

    Business Management Economics

  • Computer and Information Sciences

  • Engineering

  • English Language and Literature

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures: Recommended!

    German Language and Literature Linguistics

  • Mathematics

    Statistics

  • Physical Sciences:

    Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Chemistry Geology/Earth Science Physics

  • Social Sciences:

    Anthropology Geography

Academic Requirements

  • U.S. GPA: 2.75 or higher
  • TOEFL iBT Score: 95
  • IELTS Score: 7.5

Special Application Instructions

Students interested in taking courses in German must have a B2 in German. Please reach out to your ISEP Student Services Officer if you wish to take coursework in German. EXCEPTION: Students of all German levels (beginer through advanced) can enroll in the german pre-session as well as the German as a second language courses during the semester as mentioned above. 

Students must have completed their previous undergraduate studies in the same or a discipline which is close to the study field which they would like to attend during their exchange

Special Needs Support

  • Mental Health
  • Mobility
  • Hearing
  • Speech
  • Learning

Other Academic Conditions

Students attending the Universität Bern should select the majority of their courses from one department. This department should be related to the degree the student is pursuing at their home university. 

Due to the fact that courses are subject to change every semester (they will be different from those offered at the time of ISEP application), the Bern course catalogue is updated as follows:

Please check courses in July / August about courses to be held in the fall semester and in December/January for courses to be held in the Spring semester.

Upper-level undergraduate students may be able to enroll in Masters-level coursework, provided they meet course pre-requisites and obtain departmental approval (exceptions are indicated in the course catalogue).

NOTE: Biology courses are CLOSED to ISEP students

PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible. 

VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT: Most students attending this program will be required to obtain a visa/residence permit. For more information on the process and estimated cost, please review the ISEP Country Handbook here.

Semester & Prices (based on your filters)

Select a semester to calculate the price. Semesters are named according to host university's calendar.


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