DISCOVER BERN

FIND YOUR STUDY PROGRAM IN BERN

BERN AT A GLANCE

The unique city of Bern is the capital of Switzerland, as well as the country’s hub of political activity since 1848. With its total area of 51.62 km2, the city of Bern is located between the German- and French-speaking parts of the country. Nowadays, Bern is the fifth most populous city in the country with over 140,000 inhabitants living, working and studying there. However, over thirty percent of the population of Bern are foreigners, mostly from Germany, Italy and Spain. The official language in Bern is German. The most common spoken languages there are Swiss German, Italian, and French. The climate in Bern is considered humid continental, which means that there are huge differences in temperatures during the seasons. In fact, while the summer in Bern is really hot, winters are cold. Temperatures in December and January are between 2 and -3 °C and the warmest months in the city are July and August when it is between 25 and 29 °C Switzerland is famous for its watches, they go hand in hand. And when talking about the people there, it can be said with no doubts that Swiss people really do have a special connection to time and time management. The same can be said for the public transportation network in every city. The city of Bern is no exception. Bern has an excellent, reliable and amazingly convenient public transportation network. All parts of the city are connected through buses, trams and different kinds of trains. The public transportation network is designed in a way that no matter what happens, no one waits for more than ten minutes to change the next tram, train or bus. And most importantly, if the train is supposed to leave at 7:22 a.m., it will leave exactly at that time, not even a minute earlier or later. Moreover, the main train station of Bern, also called Hauptbahnhof Bern, is the second busiest railway station in whole Switzerland – it connects not only the city with suburban areas, but also with other national and international railway networks. Every day, over 200,000 passengers from both Bern, other part of the country and even from abroad are going from, to and through the Bern main train station.

Academic Year

Summer Semester: February/March – September / Winter Semester: September/October – February/ March

Official Language

German

Higher Education Institutions

Population

133791

Living Costs

1000 – 1100 EUR

STUDYING IN BERN

In the city of Bern, students have the opportunity to receive high-quality education in many different fields of study, including business, social sciences, computer science and humanities, among many others. The main language of instruction is German, especially for the Bachelor’s degree programs. If a program is entirely taught in the German language, applicants must provide proof for level of knowledge in the language. Master’s degree programs, on the other hand, are taught in German and English, depending on students’ preferences. However, there are some Bachelor’s degree programs also available in English, which makes them the perfect choice for both exchange and full-time international students. In fact, approximately twenty percent of all the students in Bern are from around the world – both full-time students and exchange ones. Students in Bern can either choose to live in a student dormitory, also called student hall of residence, or rent a room for themselves in a shared flat. However, in Bern, it is sure that every student will find a place to live according to his or her budget. Usually, a room in a student hall of residence costs around 500 to 550 EUR per month for a student. Going to private student accommodation, however, comes at a higher price. Renting a single room in shared flat costs between 700 and 800 EUR per month, depending on the chosen neighborhood.

BERN LIFESTYLE

Switzerland’s capital is a dynamic and vibrant city. However, sometimes people need to escape from everything and forget about everyday life for just an hour and bring themselves peace of mind. Well, Bern really has something for everyone. Gurten Mountain offers a breathtaking view to the stunning town and its surrounding area. People often go there just to sit, spend some time alone and just remember one more time how amazingly beautiful the city of Bern is. On top, there is a beautiful park located close with kids playgrounds and everything needed for one perfect day spent outside. Religious monuments are a huge part of the city and its spirit. The famous Münsterkirche cathedral in the city of Bern is well-known mostly for having the highest spire among all cathedrals in the country of Switzerland. There is no doubt that every student appreciates if the city which is about to become a home for the next four years can offer quality in terms of nightlife. And Bern’s nightlife has an excellent reputation. Clubs and discos can be easily found close to the city center. Among the most popular clubs in the city is Club Prestige. It is even one of the tourist attractions in terms of nightlife in Switzerland in general due to its unique music events. The club often organizes performances of famous disco singers and musicians. In addition, it is often visited by celebrities.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN BERN

The city of Bern can offer an excellent work environment for expats. Every year, thousands of individuals decide to study and live in Bern. After graduation, students have many doors open in terms of career opportunities in the city. The city of Bern is famous for its vineyards and cheese, in particular, the Emmental which is produced in the region. The well-known Toblerone chocolate was also invented in the city. Most of the agricultural products that are sold in city markets, shops and coffee shops are locally produced. A big part of the city inhabitants is actually working in the food sector. Apart from the food and manufacturing industry, another major sector in Bern is technology. Start-up companies benefit from skilled graduates and international students from the local universities who often happen to be multilingual. Another bonus of the city of Bern is that some leaders in the market, such as Swiss Post, Rolex and Swatch have their headquarters based there. In fact, every year, many students decide to do their internships in one of those companies due to the great reputation they have, as well as the practical knowledge and skills that can be gained while learning from “the best”. Moreover, a big percentage of those students continue working for companies as full-time employees after successful internship placements.