DISCOVER NEUENBURG

FIND YOUR STUDY PROGRAM IN NEUENBURG

NEUENBURG AT A GLANCE

On the northern left side of Lake Neuchâtel lies a beautiful small-town home to impressive historic architecture, attractive scenic spots and some 34,000 people who enjoy all of this on daily basis. The overall atmosphere in Neuchâtel is quite friendly and peaceful, a prerequisite for a good-quality lifestyle. Within the city people can indulge in the rich culture and traditions, whereas the surrounding areas of accessible mountains and vast green landscapes offer the perfect opportunity to try new activities and relax throughout the weekends. Regardless of being small in size, Neuchâtel is an attractive destination for young adults as it not only offers an excellent quality of life but it also has a renowned university carrying the reputation of being one of Switzerland’s most international higher learning institutes. The temperatures in Neuchâtel are temperate and sometimes influenced by the city’s location between the Jura mountains and the Alps. Summers here are mild with average temperatures of 25 ᵒC to 30 ᵒC, falling below 0 ᵒC and sometimes reaching -5 ᵒC during the winter season. The local public transport system is serviced by trolleybuses running throughout all districts of the city. Neuchâtel is also well connected with bigger cities in Switzerland such as Bern and Geneva. The higher education facility in the city attracts young and old people from all corners of the world, which contributes to the diverse multicultural society in the city. Here expats can adapt easily since many other languages than French are spoken around.

Academic Year

Spring Semester: February – July / Fall Semester: August – January

Official Language

French, German, Italian, Romansh

Higher Education Institutions

Population

33475

Living Costs

1400 – 1600 EUR

STUDYING IN NEUENBURG

The University of Neuchâtel (UniNE) is the only higher learning institute in the city with currently some 4,000 students enrolled. With the passionate and qualified professors and modern facilities, UniNE allows its students to engage actively in lessons and research projects while exchanging ideas with their fellow students and teachers. Here students from other parts of Switzerland or from abroad can choose from a wide range of degree programs some taught also in English. Some of the subjects taught across the four faculties of the university are in the fields of Law, Psychology, Art and Humanities, Social Science and more. Living in Switzerland as a student can be somewhat challenging, especially for individuals with a foreign background. Since the university is located in the heart of the city and it does not really have a campus, students tend to seek for accommodation within Neuchâtel. Living in a student residence hall is available for everyone, however it is highly recommended to start looking for one as early as possible, since UniNE cannot guarantee a place for its students. There are four locations in the city offering more than 300 rooms for students at prices ranging between 365 CHF and 720 CHF. Alternatively, rooms and shared flats can be also had on the private housing market.

NEUENBURG LIFESTYLE

The lifestyle in Neuchâtel can be compared to the one of a small island blended with the one of a bigger city. The small size of the Swiss town serves here as a benefit to its citizens, since thus they get to know and help each other. People here are very friendly and speak all sorts of languages, which usually comes in very handy for expats as they get to adapt more quickly and face fewer challenges. Neuchâtel offers a modern environment with a vivid cultural scene and a variety of leisure activities available to everyone all year round. Furthermore, outside of the city in its surrounding areas one can find an abundance of green spots with forests and mountains, perfect for relaxation and sports. Students who choose Neuchâtel for their studies will most certainly fall in love with the city and spend their years in university in the best way possible. UniNE strongly encourages all students to participate actively in the campus life. Various associations and clubs are responsible for the organization of different activities such as excursions, conferences and parties, where everyone member of the university can participate. Indoor and outdoor sports like skiing, golf, football, aikido or sailing can also be practiced free of charge or for an inexpensive fee offered by the Sports Service (SUN) at the university.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN NEUENBURG

One of the things Switzerland is known for are the steep costs of living. Neuchâtel is a bit more affordable compared to other larger cities, but some students still might find it necessary to find a part-time job while studying. According to the laws in Switzerland, students are allowed to work for no more than 15 hours per week during the lecture periods and full-time throughout the breaks. In order to be able to work legally, one must also obtain a working permit from the Cantonal Office of Population in Migration. Individuals coming from countries outside of the EU/EFTA can start working only after six months after the start of their studies. Students’ jobs can be found on the university’s website where they are published regularly. Some of the job roles students can choose from are assistant, language tutor, or animator. Alternatively, plenty of other opportunities can be found around the city in the shops, bars, restaurants or medium-sized companies. Throughout the course of studies, students can also engage in various internships in Neuchâtel or other bigger cities like Geneva and Bern or smaller cities like Genolier or Matran. To become an intern, students must look occasionally at the Student Forum or at the University of Neuchâtel’s website and apply following the links provided there. Additionally, employment offers are also being published in the “Career” section on universitaet.com.