DISCOVER AARAU
FIND YOUR STUDY PROGRAM IN AARAU
AARAU AT A GLANCE
Aarau is the capital of the northern Swiss canton of Aargau. It is situated on the Swiss plateau, 65 kilometers away from Bern. The town can be easily reached by train, and there is also public transport operating in the region. The hottest month in Aarau is July, with average temperature of 20 °C. In the winter temperatures can reach 1 °C, with January being the coldest month. The official language of the town is German. However, locals mostly speak their own version of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect. What is more, a great percent of the people in this area understand and speak English at least on a basic level. An interesting historical fact is that the Roman road between Salodurum and Vindonissa once passed through the town of Aarau. Moreover, a number of Neolithic artifacts were found close to the present train station. There are different events and club meetings regularly organized in the town. Visitors come from all over the region to enjoy the atmosphere of the beautiful Aarau.
Academic Year
Summer Semester: March – June
Official Language
German, French
Higher Education Institutions
1
Population
21503
Living Costs
850 – 1,000 EUR
STUDYING IN AARAU
When it comes to higher education, the town of Aarau provides study programs at the Theological Diaconal Seminary Aarau (TDS Aarau). This ecclesiastical university was founded in 1960 and currently has about 130 students enrolled in courses preparing them to become deacons. Moreover, it receives sponsorship by the Theological Diaconal Seminary Aarau association. There are three training programs to choose from. The first one (“Sozialdiakonie mit Gemeindeanimation”) has a duration of four years. It prepares students for a career in ecclesiastical and social job positions. Another choice is the extra-occupational Diploma program “Gemeindeanimation“. Those who want to study part-time can opt for the certificate program “Chatechism“, which lasts three years and gives students the skills to conduct religious classes at the majority of the Reformed Churches in Switzerland. In order to live in Aarau, students can turn to the local private housing market. There they can find accommodation at a reasonable price. However, one should start looking for a room as early as possible, as the prices become higher when the new semester approaches.
AARAU LIFESTYLE
Locals enjoy the spring Aarau Fair held at the ice skating rink. The rich nature in the region and the wonderful woodlands suggest that there are great places to camp and go for a hike. Moreover, there are groups for climbing often organized by the local sports club which welcome every enthusiast. When it comes to bars and cafés in Aarau, there are plenty of choices. The Tuchlaube Cafe Bar offers a modern and friendly atmosphere. One can drink coffee and chat with friends for hours. Another suggestion is Lockentopf, where people have a cup of fresh tea and enjoy a delicious breakfast in the morning. What is more, the town does not lack night clubs. To drink and dance, young people prefer to go to places like Les Amis Club and Utopia. There are various options for recreation in town.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN AARAU
According to statistics, Aarau has the most jobs per capita among all cities in Switzerland. The borders of the town are expanding more and more, due to the high employment rate and the workers it attracts from surrounding areas. Manufacturing of electrical goods, cotton textiles and cutlery is well-developed in the region. The cantonal government is the largest employer in Aarau, however there are also small businesses that look for new employees. Graduates from the Theological Diaconal Seminary Aarau can start their career path by looking for opportunities in the region of Aarau. Furthermore, one should keep in mind that a great benefit of studying at the Seminary is that it also provides practical training. Students can adapt to a real working environment early during their studies. That also contributes to the chance to get hired right after a student finishes the courses. However, young graduates can also seek career opportunities outside of Aarau. Bigger cities in this area offer many different job positions, for which the knowledge and skills developed at the Seminary will be very useful. Ecclesiastical schools all over the country are always on the lookout for new candidates and talented young people. One can become an excellent teacher after completing studies at the Theological Diaconal Seminary Aarau. It is in the hands of every student to decide which road to take.