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The Canton of Bern increases university tuition fees

24.11.2025 Bern University of Applied Sciences is introducing higher tuition fees for the autumn semester 2026/27, thus implementing a political decision of the Canton.

Key points at a glance

  • On 19 November 2025, Bern’s Cantonal Government decided to increase tuition fees at the canton’s universities as part of a revision of the cantonal university ordinances.  

  • The increase affects students at the University of Bern and BFH.  

  • From the autumn semester 2026/27, tuition fees at BFH will rise to CHF 850 per semester, and to CHF 2,550 per semester for foreign students.  

  • Foreign students who began their degree programme at BFH before autumn semester 2026/27 will now pay fees of CHF 1,050 until the completion of their respective bachelor or master’s degree. In accordance with the Regulation Governing Bern University of Applied Sciences, switching from a bachelor to a master’s programme is classified as starting a new degree programme, which is why the new fees (CHF 2,550) apply in this case. 

  • The increase at BFH is based on a political decision of the Canton. 

In order to implement a political request by the Grand Council of the Canton of Bern, the Cantonal Government decided to increase tuition fees at Bern University of Applied Sciences. The corresponding revision of the University Ordinance, which includes an indirect partial revision of the Regulation Governing Bern University of Applied Sciences, was adopted by the Cantonal Government on 19 November 2025. In order to comply with the new ordinance, BFH is increasing its tuition fees for the start of the autumn semester 2026/27.

Main changes

  • The tuition fee will increase from CHF 750 to CHF 850 per semester as of the autumn semester 2026. 
  • For foreign students, the tuition fee will increase from the current CHF 950 to CHF 2,550 per semester. Anyone who is a foreign national and was not officially resident in Switzerland or Liechtenstein when they obtained their university entrance qualification (vocational, specialised or general baccalaureate) belongs in this category (see FAQ). A special transition provision applies to foreign students: those that started their degree programme at BFH before the autumn semester 2026/27 will now pay fees of CHF 1,050 until the completion of the respective bachelor or master’s degree programme. In accordance with the Regulation Governing Bern University of Applied Sciences, switching from a bachelor to a master’s programme is classified as starting a new degree programme, which is why the new fees (CHF 2,550) apply in this case.
  • The registration fee is also set to increase. Beginning with registrations for the spring semester 2027, the fee will be CHF 150 (instead of the current CHF 100).

Financial support

Various financial aids are available for BFH students, such as grants, loans and other funding options.

FAQ: Increase in tuition fees