Requirements
Bachelor
- A secondary school certificate the University of Lucerne recognises as granting access to higher education.
- CEFR C1 German for a non-native speaker, unless the applicant's prior schooling was conducted in German.
- Application through UniPortal within the published window: registration opens 15 February for the autumn semester, standard deadline 30 April.
Master
- A bachelor's degree the University of Lucerne recognises as equivalent; some programmes set further subject prerequisites.
- CEFR C1 German for most programmes, unless taught in English. Three master's programmes (Health Sciences; Economics and Management; the online PhilTeR programme) are taught entirely in English instead, requiring TOEFL iBT 85, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo English Test 120 for a non-native English speaker.
- Application through UniPortal within the same general window as bachelor's admission.
Documents
Secondary school certificate or bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts, with certified translations where required; a valid German (C1) or, for the three English-taught master's programmes, English (TOEFL iBT 85 / IELTS 6.5 / Duolingo 120) language certificate; passport or ID copy; and the CHF 100 application fee payment, submitted through UniPortal.
How to apply
- Confirm the teaching language of your programme and prepare a C1 German certificate, or an English certificate if applying to one of the three English-taught master's programmes.
- Gather transcripts and certificates.
- Apply online through UniPortal within the published window: registration opens 15 February for the autumn semester, standard deadline 30 April (15 September to 30 November for the spring semester).
- Pay the CHF 100 application fee, independent of study level or faculty (a further CHF 150 applies if a late application is exceptionally accepted).
- Wait for the admission decision, then use it to apply for the Swiss national student visa if required.
- Complete enrolment and pay the semester tuition once admitted.
English test waiver
The University of Lucerne teaches most programmes in German, requiring CEFR C1 German for non-native speakers at both bachelor's and master's level, demonstrated by a C1 diploma or a degree taught in German. Three master's programmes run entirely in English (Health Sciences; Economics and Management; the online Philosophy, Theology and Religions programme, PhilTeR) and do not require German; for these, TOEFL iBT 85, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo English Test 120 apply to non-native English speakers.