University of Bern Admission Requirements 2027

Requirements

Bachelor

• An international qualification granting access to higher education, from an academic programme lasting at least three years, recognised by the University of Bern.
• C1-level German proficiency (or a German test the university itself runs), unless prior studies were conducted fully in German.
• Application through Bern's online system with the paper documents its checklist requires, by the published deadline.

Master

• An international university degree from an academic programme lasting at least three years, recognised by the University of Bern; executive master's degrees, certificates and diplomas are not accepted as the qualifying degree.
• Language proficiency matching the specific programme: German (commonly C1) for German-taught programmes, or English for English-taught and some mixed programmes. Where documented, the requirement is IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100 (test no more than 6 months old), waived for applicants whose prior education was in a language community where English is the main language.
• Application online with required paper documents by the published deadline; specific master's programmes publish their own checklist.

Documents

Academic transcripts and degree certificates with certified translations where required; the university's own application form submitted online with paper documents to follow, per the programme's published checklist; a valid language certificate for German or English as the programme requires; passport or ID copy; and, for programmes that ask for them, a CV or letters of motivation. The CHF 100 application fee is paid as part of the process and also serves as the registration fee if the application leads to enrolment.

How to apply

1. Confirm your access route and the language of instruction for your chosen programme.
2. Prepare transcripts, certificates and a valid language certificate (German or English) matching the programme.
3. Apply online by the regular deadline, 30 April for the autumn semester (late applications accepted until 31 August for most programmes, still at the standard CHF 100 fee).
4. Submit the paper documents your programme's checklist requires to the Admissions Office.
5. Wait for the admission decision, then use it to apply for the Swiss national student visa if required.
6. Complete enrolment and pay the semester tuition once admitted; the CHF 100 application fee counts toward the CHF 100 registration fee if you enrol.

English test waiver

Confirmed on the Department of English's own master's admission page, used here as a documented example of Bern's general international-degree language policy: IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100, test no more than 6 months old at application. An exemption applies if the applicant's prior studies were completed in a language community where English is the main language, on submission of supporting transcripts; other faculties may set their own figure and German-taught programmes ask for C1 German instead.