Contact points at a glance

The counseling services of the Universities of Bern Counselling Centre are aimed at students and staff with teaching responsabilites at the University of Bern, the Bern University of applied Science, and the College of Education Bern (PH Bern). Administrative Staff of these institutions can profit from their services.

BNF is active throughout Switzerland and has 25 years of experience in supporting academics. BNF assists highly qualified specialists at career crossroads through personal counselling, fostering professional networks and focussed training so that they can successfully place their professional know-how and skills in the job market. 

The University's career services support BA, MA and PhD students in their transition from studies to professional life.

More information.

Euresearch is the Swiss guide to European research and innovation. Euresearch provides information and advice on cooperation and funding opportunities relating to the EU Framework Programme ‘Horizon Europe’ and other initiatives. Euresearch fulfils this task on behalf of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, SERI.

The University is committed to promoting equal opportunities and equality for women and men and all genders, endeavours to remove barriers to access and promotes the compatibility of work and care responsibilities. In particular, it focuses on the diversity categories of gender and gender identity, sexual orientation; disability, chronic illness and mental health; ethnic origin; social background and position; and age.

The Equal Opportunities Department offers counselling on equality-related issues, coaching, courses and mentoring, among other things.

Research stays at universities and research institutions abroad are an important element of a successful academic career. The University of Bern now supports doctoral students with the UniBE Doc.Mobility funding programme.

Lecturer mobility offers the opportunity to enrich one's own teaching experience, to initiate further cooperation and to internationalise the range of courses offered at the University of Bern.

The Risk Management Office supports and councels the University Executive Board, faculties, institutes and administrative branches about work safety and health management, among other topics.

In a case of hate speech, university members can get help directly from the Equal Opportunities Department.

The Integrity Officers are responsible for dealing with reports of (possible) breaches of academic integrity. They are the contact persons for all members of the University in matters relating to academic integrity.

The conflict counselling service of the Canton of Berne offers methods and strategies for dealing with conflicts constructively and preventing them from escalating.

Conflict counselling Canton of Berne

As an instrument of specific promotion of early career researchers, mentoring motivates female academics to plan, and resolutely pursue, their academic career. At the University of Bern, mentoring programs are on offer at individual faculties.

The Coordination Office for the promotion of early career researchers supports young academics in their effort to produce outstanding work during their academic career.

More information.

The aim of the network is to raise awareness of the issue of ‘abuse of power in science’ and to offer those affected advice that is independent of organisations.

Netzwerk gegen Machtmissbrauch in der Wissenschaft

The ombudsperson is the point of contact for all employees of the University of Bern. They should be able to turn to an independent body in the event of conflicts arising from employment relationships. The Ombudsperson works in complete independence from the University's governing bodies.

Website Ombuds Office

The Personnel Office offers free and anonymous counselling to all employees of the cantonal administration.

Spreading rumours, not letting people finish speaking, withholding information, ignoring, excluding, teasing, laughing at, insulting, derogatory remarks... Bullying has many faces - and is not tolerated in any form. Don't put up with it.

The HR Office is the main point of information for questions related to your employment. All counselling services are confidential. 

The Appeals Committee is the internal administrative judicial authority of the University of Bern. In particular, it assesses appeals against decisions made by the bodies of the University's faculties.

The Language Centre of the University of Bern offers language courses in German as a Foreign Language (DaF) and Academic English (AE). 

As a service the ISW offers general and subject-specific language courses (subject to charge) for multiple languages. It is advisable to register early.

The Welcome Center of the University of Bern provides a selection of language schools in Bern:

The university does not tolerate sexual harassment at work or study places in any form. People in a position of responsability are obligated to do everything in their power to ensure that noone in their sphere of influence has to suffer from sexual harassment.

The UniBE Research Cycle is intended to provide researchers with a comprehensive overview of support services, tools, infrastructure and guidelines at the University of Bern.

The University of Bern recognises that the professional and academic careers of its students and staff are shaped by family, private and job-related circumstances. They are not only involved in their professional activities but also, for example, in caring for children, in their partnership, in caring for relatives and in voluntary work.

The aim of the Vice-Rectorate Research is to provide all researchers with the best possible environment in order to ensure and promote high-quality research at the University of Bern.