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United for Science

University and Studies

The Dies academicus 2025 highlighted global networking, increasing challenges, and the importance of international cooperation. Five honorary doctorates and ten academic awards were presented.

Read the uniAKTUELL article (in German)

News

Sustainable water management

Humans and environment exacerbate drought in southern Spain

The Axarquía region in southern Spain experienced an extreme water crisis between 2019 and 2024. A new study involving the University of Bern sheds light on the causes: everything points to an “anthropogenic drought”.

The online-magazine of the University of Bern

191st Foundation Celebration

Dies academicus 2025

The University of Bern celebrated its foundation on 6 December at a packed Casino Bern. Five honorary doctorates and ten academic prizes were awarded. Highlights of the event, the speeches and the short films shown during the ceremony are available online.

View the review

Research funding

Nine SNSF Starting Grants for young researchers

Nine research projects at the University of Bern are being supported with SNSF Starting Grants 2025 of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The funding for the young researchers totals over CHF 15 million.

To the media release

Do ChatGPT and Co. understand humor?

“Humor is a proving ground for language models”

Language models such as ChatGPT know millions of jokes. But do they understand why they are funny, or are they just pretending? Malte Elson studies the psychology of digitalization and knows the answer.

The online magazine of the University of Bern

People

Innovation

"The product must be 100% user-centered"

Making hand therapy entertaining so that patients want to continue practicing at home – Samuel Knobel is realizing this vision with an egg-shaped training device and accompanying tablet software. His greatest motivation is to help people regain the dexterity they need for activities of daily living.

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Sustainability

“We can’t expect judges to save us”

The Norwegian-German law professor, Christina Voigt, has been awarded the University of Bern’s Hans Sigrist Prize worth 100 000 Swiss Francs. This honor recognizes her achievements in advancing international climate law.

The online magazine of the University of Bern

Innovation

“Our work could one day save lives”

A breakthrough discovery during her PhD has motivated Hang Gander-Bui to develop a drug compound that could become a game-changer in combatting fungal sepsis. Instead of fighting the fungus, the immunologist with a specialization in infectious diseases plans to reset the body’s own immune system to fend off the deadly infection.

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Innovation

"I see problems as an incentive, not an obstacle"

With his project Aikeso, UniBE Venture Fellow Hanspeter Hess uses artificial intelligence to automate and improve the diagnosis of shoulder patients with the aim of ensuring the most suitable treatment with the greatest possible success. In addition to resolving specific tricky problems at his PC, the biomedical engineer appreciates balancing his work with time in the mountains.

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Equal Opportunities

'A Paradigm Shift in Economics Is Urgently Needed'

The student group VWelles Rethinking Economics advocates for the inclusion and equal treatment of diverse schools of thought within the field of Economics at the University of Bern.
For this commitment, the group will receive the “Prix Lux” 2025, the Equal Opportunities Award of the University of Bern, on November 19.

The online magazine of the University of Bern (in German)

Alumni UniBE

Making a difference at home

What comes after graduation? A new adventure far away or a career rooted in the region? Five alumni of the University of Bern reflect on their student days, their careers paths, and their role in shaping the region today.

The online magazine of the University of Bern

Department of Clinical Research

Eva Segelov: A career for better research

Eva Segelov is convinced that good research must start with people. The Australian oncologist and clinical researcher has been head of the Department of Clinical Research at the University of Bern since the end of 2022.

The online magazine of the University of Bern (in German)

Studies

Admissions Office (ZIB)

The Cantonal Government informs

Adjustment of tuition fees from the fall semester 2026 

To the media release (in German)

Spring semester 2026

Study application

Application deadlines and links

For prospective students

Looking for the right subject of study?

Discover the Online-Self-Assessments

Research

Research at a glance

Humour and health

Laughing connects and relaxes

Neurologist Claudio Bassetti explains in this interview why laughing promotes good health, and how he uses humour to encourage communication and closeness with his patients.

The online magazine of the University of Bern

Planetary sciences

Images of very distant planets

Professor of Astronomical Instrumentation Jonas Kühn has developed a groundbreaking type of instrument. It is based on liquid crystals, as we know them from smartphones, and will image planets outside our solar system on a new telescope.

The online magazine of the University of Bern

Physics

No evidence of sterile neutrinos

There is no evidence for the existence of sterile neutrinos – a fourth type of elementary neutrino particle. This is shown by the international MicroBooNE collaboration at the US research center Fermilab with the participation of the University of Bern.

To the media release

Medicine

Low blood sugar detected by speaking into a smartphone

For the first time, Bernese researchers have demonstrated that a standard smartphone microphone can detect early signs of hypoglycaemia based on the human voice. These findings could make diabetes management safer and easier in future.

To the media release

Weiteres

14th day of teaching

Learning from mistakes: Research-based learning & productive failure

On the Day of Teaching on February 13, 2026, there will be a discussion on how to design teaching formats that confront students with challenging problems in a targeted manner and help them learn from their mistakes.

Learning and Development | LEAD

International exchange opportunities

The University of Bern has over 300 partner universities all over the world. Find out from two of our students why they loved studying abroad.

University of Bern Internationals

Building bridges with Africa

Launch of Initiative Afrique Website

Our redesigned platform reflects our continued growth and commitment to showcasing how the University of Bern, together with African, European, and Swiss partners, advances cross-continental and interdisciplinary research collaborations with Africa.

Discover more about us here

Office for Equal Opportunities

Advisory service guide

The University of Bern now offers all employees a comprehensive counseling guide. This provides a clear overview of the wide range of counseling services and contact points available and helps employees quickly find the right support. A workshop will be held on October 21 from 12:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to present the counseling services available.

Learn more

Good teaching at the University of Bern

On this website you will find an overview of all the services, support and promotional measures that contribute to good teaching at the University of Bern. The page is only available in German.

Vize-Rectorate Teaching

Are you ready for the next step?

Share your future at the University of Berne

Continuing education program 2025 – Ready for something new? Shape your future at the University of Bern: the new 2025 continuing education program is here!

More information (in German)

War in Ukraine

Information and support

The University of Bern strongly condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and supports Ukrainian students and researchers.

War in Ukraine

This is Bern

Learn more

The University of Bern is closely associated with the Swiss capital city of Bern. Academic excellence has earned Bern an international reputation. A large variety of education, sport and cultural opportunities as well as high living and environmental standards make Bern an attractive place for undergraduates, researchers and doctoral students.

University of Bern for

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