University of Fribourg

The University of Fribourg encompasses five faculties where people study, teach and research. These are Arts and Humanities, Science, Economics and Social Sciences, Law and Theology. As well as these there are numerous interdisciplinary institutes and centres of excellence. The approximately 10,000 students in the Bachelor, Masters and PhD programs receive first-class personal support from over 800 professors, lecturers and research assistants. Great emphasis is placed on direct contact between the teaching staff and students because we believe that this is the optimal way to further the development of each individual. As the only bilingual university in Switzerland, the University of Fribourg offers a wide range of courses of study in French, German or both. There are also a number of courses with an international aspect which are offered in English. Languages are not only studied here, but they form part of everyday life in the University community.

With their work in the centres of excellence and on research projects, our committed researchers continually contribute to extending the horizons of knowledge in all disciplines. In doing so, their attention is constantly focused on solving society’s current and future challenges. The University of Fribourg also enjoys an excellent international reputation in research. Besides numerous research projects funded by the SNSF, the University hosts a National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) as well as a variety of Interdisciplinary Centres of Research.

In order to fulfil the task assigned to it by the Canton of Fribourg in the University Act and making full use of its autonomy, the University of Fribourg promotes quality, responsibility and readiness to engage in dialogue. The University of Fribourg:

• Offers an excellence in education in science to its students, based on the competence and availability of its staff
• Strives to offer the best conditions to study, research and work
• To develop cetres of competence that ensure research and vocational education and training on a high level
• Systematically conducts a high quality promotion policy.

The University of Fribourg is committed to a society that respects ethical principles and requires social justice, offers the possibility to deepen the values of Christian humanism in a spirit of intellectual openness, favors young scientists and the presence of women in teaching and research, encourages vocational education and training of its employees.The University of Fribourg:

• Is a cosmopolitan institution that cooperates with Swiss and international Colleges and Universities
• Participates in the multicultural dialogue, particularly between the four national cultures of Switzerland
• Encourages bilingual studies and degrees in French and German
• Valorizes interdisciplinary in education and research
• Favors a culture of communication, transparency and participation within the university community
• Strengthens its external relationships, particularly those with the canton and the city of Fribourg