Information for partner universities

On this page, you will find more information on international exchange programmes at the Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH. They are particularly intended for our partner universities.

Swiss-European Mobility Programme SEMP

Negotiations on Swiss participation in Erasmus+ were suspended in February 2014. Since then Switzerland has become classified as a partner country. Switzerland makes a significant contribution to the positioning of European education and research as a whole and intends to continue to ensure this success. Our declared goal is to restore full association with Erasmus+. This is why a Swiss programme corresponding to Erasmus+ has been implemented at tertiary level since 2014 under the name SEMP (Swiss-European Mobility Programme). SEMP offers Swiss universities and higher technical colleges the opportunity to support students, lecturers and staff for study, internship, teaching and further education stays in Europe.

Main features

  • Any educational institution in an Erasmus+ programme country can enter into mobility activities with the Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH (Key Action 1). Funding (for incoming and outgoing mobility activities) is provided by the BFH.
  • These activities include all types of mobility (for studies or internships, for lecturers and staff).
  • Internships in Switzerland can only be financed if they are coordinated by the Bern University of Applied Sciences.
  • Student mobility for studies and staff mobility in the field of education are based on inter-institutional agreements between the Bern University of Applied Sciences and European universities (Erasmus code: CH Bern11; ECHE code: 259460-LA-1-2014-1-CH-E4AKA1-ECHE / PIC: 999623995).

Amount of the grants

The SEMP grants for students amount approximately CHF 380 to CHF 440, depending on the country of origin and the type of mobility (study or internship).

The SEMP grants for lecturers and staff amount to approximately CHF 170 per day and a maximum of CHF 500 for travel costs.

Factsheet Bern University of Applied Sciences

General Information

CH Bern-11 //   259460 – LA – 1 – 2014 – 1 – CH – E4AKA1 – ECHE

CH125639

BFH Bern University of Applied Sciences
Pesche Eigenmann
Director International Relations Office
Falkenplatz 24
3012 Bern

Engineering and Information Technology

Alexander Leu

+41 34 426 42 28          

international.ti@bfh.ch

Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering
Markus Schär +41 32 344 17 44 international.ahb@bfh.ch
Business
Claudia Vogel +41 31 848 34 48 international.wirtschaft@bfh.ch
Health Professions
Laura Watson +41 31 848 56 52 internationales.gesundheit@bfh.ch
Social Work
Clara Bombach +41 31 848 65 90 international.soziale-arbeit@bfh.ch
Bern University of the Arts
Sebastian Ledesma      +41 31 848 49 23 international@hkb.bfh.ch
School of Agriculture, Forest and Food Sciences
Valentine Allemann +41 31 910 21 96 international.hafl@bfh.ch
Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen
Ellen Leister +41 58 467 61 24 iro.ehsm@baspo.admin.ch

 

1st Semester: Week 38 (some exceptions can occur)
2nd Semester: Week 08 (some exceptions can occur)

Admission

We accept exchanges for one or two semesters.

Does BFH require insurance for all international students?

No. However, in Switzerland health insurance for stays of longer than three months is compulsory. A basic insurance plan covers medical care in case of sickness or accident.

For further information, please visit: Living in Switzerland > Insurance

Are students required to buy BFH university insurance?

No university insurance is available.

Are vaccinations required?

No vaccinations are required.

Is there a pick-up service upon arrival?

By mentor
Students, who have organized a mentor through the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Bern Buddy System could organize a pick-up at the airport. Visit the Bern Erasmus Student Network website to find out more about the Buddy System: www.bern.esn.ch, or on Facebook.

Make sure to only make appointments with mentors, who are officially nominated and appointed by the Erasmus Student Network. 

By train
Switzerland has a very well-developed public transport system, which makes it easy to get around.

The application procedures vary, based on the respective program. Please find further information, a list of required documents and the necessary forms on the respective department homepage (for the main page, please visit: www.bfh.ch/en/).

 

Departments: 

 Engineering and Information Technology
 Architecture, Wood & Civil Engineering
 Business ( > Exchange) 
 Health Professions ( > Incoming Students)
 Social Work
 Bern University of the Arts
 School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (HAFL)
 Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen

Basic requirements are:

  • Completed Application Form
  • Transcript of records
  • Certificate of enrolment of sending institution or copy of your current student ID
  • Completed Learning Agreement approved by the sending institution

Please find information about any further requirements on the respective homepage or contact the respective international advisor (contact details above).

Most of our undergraduate (Bachelor) courses are taught in German (Level B2-C2 required). Our graduate (Master) courses are taught in English or German (basic German knowledge favorable).

Please find more information on admission requirements on the institutional website www.bfh.ch/en/ or on the departmental websites (as indicated above).

1st semester: 15 April
2nd semester: 15 October

For undergraduate (Bachelor) students an exchange is not allowed prior to the third semester of study.

The admission letter will be sent directly to the students.

Please consult our website ( > Fees + Funding)

For SEMP exchange students (Swiss-European Mobility Programme) tuition fees are waived.

During the indirect participation at Erasmus+, through the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP), a scholarship is available for outgoing AND Incoming SEMP students.

Course

The main language is German and several programs are taught in combination with French and English. German Level B2-C2 (depending on program) is required for programs taught in German. English Level B2-C1 is required for English programs (basic German knowledge favorable). Register – unt. Dep.

European language levels: Self Assessment Grid

Bachelor Level:

Master Level:

Competency assessments are graded with marks or with the grades "fulfilled" or "not fulfilled". Marks are either numerical marks or ECTS marks. The individual study regulations specify which grading systems are used. 

Numerical marks are:
Mark 6 excellent
Mark 5.5 very good
Mark 5 good
Mark 4.5 satisfactory
Mark 4 adequate

Marks between 1 and 3.5 are considered unsatisfactory. A mark of 3.5 can be supplemented with the rider “Rectification possible”.

ECTS grades are:
A Excellent
B Very good
C Good
D Satisfactory
E Sufficient
FX Fail; Some more work required before the credit can be awarded
F Fail; Considerable further work is required

The Departments determine how the numerical marks and the ECTS grades are applied in their study regulations. 

Accommodation

BFH Bern University of Applied Sciences has no central campus and therefore no central on-campus student housing.

There is a limited number of on-campus accommodation (rooms in dormitories with shared facilities) at the School of Agriculture (HAFL) in Zollikofen and at the Institute of Sports in Magglingen. These dormitories are for HAFL students and sports students only.  

There is a wide range of different housing options and it is recommended to look at studentlodge. Commonly, students rent a room in off-campus student or private apartments. The International Offices of the respective department provide support to exchange students in finding accommodation according to local standards.

Accommodation costs about CHF 450-750 per month. The living costs for students per month are approximately between CHF 1’500 and CHF 2’400 (including accommodation).

Yes, students need to apply for housing themselves, by using the online search tools provided above. Support can be requested from the International Office of the respective department, if necessary.

For Students

Does BFH require insurance for all international students?

No. However, in Switzerland health insurance for stays of longer than three months is compulsory. A basic insurance plan covers medical care in case of sickness or accident. For further information, please visit Living in Switzerland.

Are students required to buy BFH university insurance?

No university insurance is available.

No vaccinations are required.

By mentor

Students, who have organized a mentor through the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Bern Buddy System could organize a pick-up at the airport. Visit the Bern Erasmus Student Network website to find out more about the Buddy System: www.bern.esn.ch, or on Facebook.

Make sure to only make appointments with mentors, who are officially nominated and appointed by the Erasmus Student Network. 

By train

Switzerland has a very well-developed public transport system, which makes it easy to get around.

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