It is pretty straightforward! Besides having an upper secondary-leaving certificate or a qualification deemed equivalent*, you just have to respect the application dates which are the 30th of April for the fall semester, and the 30th of November for the spring semester. Administrative information and forms can be found on the following link.

You can also find more detail on the conditions of admission for the BA here.

and for the MA here.

*Particular conditions may apply for international students.

It all depends on how many ECTS you want to acquire in English. Your options are:

1. As a specialized primary branch (120 ECTS, pilier renforcé);
2. As a primary branch (90 ECTS, pilier principal);
3. As a secondary branch (60 ECTS, pilier secondaire); or
4. As a minimal branch (30 ECTS, pilier minimal).

Once you have chosen one of these options, you can check the Plan d’études du Bachelor en Anglais.  This document sets out the different modules you have to complete and the ECTS required for each module depending on your pilier choice.

You can spread out your ECTS according to your needs/schedule but it is recommended that you prioritize the mandatory classes. Seminars can vary from one semester to the next, so if there is a class you are interested in but cannot take during the semester it is offered, it is recommended that you to ask the relevant professor if the class will be offered again at a later date.

Overall, the mandatory BA program is made up of gateway courses (Language, Literature and Linguistics) which will introduce you to the methods and concepts of the different fields that will make up your English studies. You will develop competences such as: improving your language, sharpening your writing and critical thinking skills, and acquiring the necessary tools to teach English as a second language.

Students who want to study English as a specialized primary branch may follow more electives as well as outside courses to fulfill the requirements. You can choose between cross-disciplinary courses, earning your credits with a professional or research internship, or improving your English with a language stay abroad.

If you have any questions regarding the BA study plan, please contact Prof. Patrick Vincent.

If you enroll in a class, you are expected to attend regularly. Academic freedom means that you are free to choose seminars you are interested in, however, it doesn’t mean that you can miss them once you are enrolled. Students are encouraged to ‘browse’ during the first week of the semester, but regular attendance is expected as of week three. If you have more than three unexcused absences, you may be excluded from receiving an attestation or the ECTS needed to complete the class.

If you are struggling with attendance, you are invited to reach out to your professors, as the size of this University allows for easy contact between the staff and the students. If you need to take a break from studying for personal/medical/other reasons, you will find all the relevant information here.

Regarding Covid regulations, we suggest that you take a look at the cantonal policy.

First, know that you will be okay :). Essay writing can be intimidating but getting acquainted with the general guidelines will definitely help you.

If you have any questions regarding your topic, you can reach out to the professor in charge of the course you are taking, or alternatively, if you need somebody to proofread your essay or coach on writing, you can email our writing coach Laurie Boissenin.

Additionally, if you require assistance with preparing a presentation, or help with any language-oriented issue, you are welcome to get in touch with our language coach Jessica Payano de la Cruz. It is recommended for you and your peers to support each other, whether it is through co-working, discussing any difficulty you might encounter in the writing process, etc.

As long as it fits with your study plan, yes! The ECTS have to be equivalent, but otherwise there are mobility programs such as AZUR, in partnership with the Universities of Lausanne and of Geneva) or BeNeFri, in collaboration with the Universities of Bern and Fribourg. There is also the Erasmus program for those wanting to study abroad.

The size of this University offers the advantage of being able to easily contact the staff with any concerns they can address. While it’s important to be mindful of their capacity given the number of students, you should not hesitate to reach out if you feel stuck.

There are social events such as Halloween, Christmas or tea parties. You will receive details about these events around their respective dates via email, but otherwise you are more than welcome to take initiative and start student-led projects such as book clubs, or more.

Admissions are not based on language certifications. The only formal requirement is to have taken English at a high school level (Swiss “Maturité”, “Baccalauréat”, GSCE, …). However, as you are expected to communicate, read and write in English, it is important for you to develop your language skills as you progress in your studies. It is specifically crucial for MA students to possess advanced proficiency, being that they will have to write a ‘mémoire’ on their topic of choice.