The University of Bern: A Historical Journey Through Academic Excellence

The University of Bern, a public research university in the Swiss capital, boasts a rich history and a commitment to academic excellence. Founded in 1834, it has grown into the third-largest university in Switzerland, with a diverse student body and a broad range of programs. This article delves into the university's origins, development, academic structure, research strengths, and notable figures, providing a comprehensive overview of this esteemed institution.

Origins and Early Development

The roots of the University of Bern trace back to the 16th century, a period marked by the Reformation. Following this significant shift in the Christian church, there arose a need for a collegiate school to educate new pastors. This need led to the establishment of a theological college. In 1805, as part of a broader reorganization of higher education, the government of Bern transformed this existing theological college into an academy. The academy was structured with four faculties, laying the groundwork for the future university.

The political landscape of 19th-century Switzerland, characterized by the struggle between conservative and liberal factions, significantly influenced the development of the institution. In 1831, liberals gained control of the Canton of Bern, paving the way for the academy's transformation into a university in 1834. Initially, the university had a modest academic staff of 45, tasked with educating 167 students.

Growth and Expansion

The promulgation of the federal constitution in 1848 marked a turning point, ushering in an era of peaceful development for the university. The late 19th century witnessed substantial growth, with student numbers doubling from 500 to 1,000 between 1885 and 1900. This rapid expansion made the University of Bern the largest university in Switzerland at the turn of the 20th century. A significant portion of this growth was attributed to the university's appeal to foreign students, particularly from Germany and Russia, who constituted half of the total enrollment.

The growing prosperity of the city of Bern facilitated the university's expansion in the Länggasse quarter at the end of the 19th century. In 1903, a new Main Building was inaugurated on the Grosse Schanze, and the number of faculties increased, reflecting the institution's growing academic scope.

Prominent Figures and Academic Milestones

The years 1908 and 1909 brought the University of Bern into the international spotlight, thanks to the contributions of three prominent figures. In 1908, Albert Einstein taught theoretical physics, holding his first of three semesters at the university. The following year, Anna Tumarkin, a Russian philosopher, achieved a historic milestone by being appointed to an extraordinary professorship. This appointment made her the first female professor at a European university with the authority to examine doctoral and post-doctoral theses. Also in 1909, Theodor Kocher, a Bernese surgeon, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine, further enhancing the university's reputation.

The university also played a key role in the evolution of women's studies. Even in 1870, the institution had a female student - Catharina Gontscharoff - registered. In 1899, the institution’s Female Students' Society was established, representing women's interests. Its motto was: "Same Rights, Same Duties".

Post-War Development and Modernization

Following World War II, there was a growing consensus on the need to expand tertiary education in Switzerland. This sentiment fueled rapid growth at the University of Bern, with enrollment reaching 5,000 in 1968. The completely revised University Act of 1996 marked a significant transformation, converting the University of Bern from an administrative division of the Department of Education of the Canton of Bern into an autonomous institution with its own legal standing. The Act clearly defined the competencies of the university and of the state.

The Bologna Declaration ushered in the era of ECTS credits and the bachelor's and master's degree structure, aligning the university with European standards. The university set strategic research priorities, such as climate research, and promoted inter-university cooperation. At the same time, the university reorganized its faculties to enhance efficiency and focus.

Academic Structure and Organization

The University of Bern operates at three levels: university, faculties, and institutes. Other organizational units include interfaculty and general university units, fostering collaboration and interdisciplinary research. The university's highest governing body is the Senate, responsible for issuing statutes, rules, and regulations. Directly answerable to the Senate is the University Board of Directors, the governing body for university management and coordination. The board comprises the rector, the vice-rectors, and the administrative director. The University of Bern is run by a team that includes a leader called a rector, several vice-rectors, and an administrative director.

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The university's faculties include:

The Humanities Faculty, comparable to the arts and sciences departments of American universities, offers majors in art and culture, archaeology and history, and languages and literature.
The Faculty of Science focuses on the natural and life sciences, contributing to advancements in these fields.

As a comprehensive university, Bern covers a wide range of classical university courses in some 39 bachelor, 71 master and 69 advanced study programs. In addition to the classical disciplines, the University of Bern has also established programmes in newer ones such as sports science and theatre studies. The function of these general university institutions is to promote dialogue between students in different disciplines and faculties through interdisciplinary events for academic staff and students.

Strategic Alliances and Collaborations

The University of Bern has forged strategic alliances to strengthen its academic and research capabilities. The medical faculties of the Universities of Bern and Basel have formed a strategic alliance in the fields of cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, pathology, and microbiology. This collaboration enhances the quality of medical education and research in these critical areas. The Vetsuisse Faculty was created in 2006 through the merger of the Faculties of veterinary medicine of the Universities of Bern and Zurich, creating a leading center for veterinary medicine.

Campus and Location

The University of Bern does not have a single large campus on the edge of the city, but has consistently pursued the principle of a university in the city. Instead of having one big campus outside the city, the University of Bern's buildings are spread throughout the city itself. Most institutes and clinics are still in the Länggasse, the traditional university district adjoining the city centre, within walking distance of one another. The University of Bern is situated in the Länggasse area, known for its historical architecture, vibrant dining scene, and proximity to Bern's main train station. This location offers excellent access to both the Swiss Alps and other European destinations. Some university buildings have a cool history. For example, the Faculty of Theology and some humanities classes are held in an old chocolate factory.

Research Strengths and Centers of Excellence

The university has defined specific strategic focuses of research and established interdisciplinary centers for research and teaching. A number of the university's centers focus on the challenges of sustainability. The Centre for Continuing University Education (ZUW) focuses on scientific further education. The selection of topics in the ZUW programmes ranges from public administration through dentistry to spiritual guidance. Several of the centers offer specialized graduate programmes.

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The University of Bern has special centers that focus on important research topics. These centers bring together experts from different fields to solve big challenges.

The Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) manages research programmes in the field of sustainable development, focusing on its particular areas of expertise in integrated regional development and natural resource management.
The World Trade Institute (WTI) manages research, education, and outreach focused on global economic governance, including global sustainability policy.
The Center for Regional Economic Development (CRED) is an interfaculty center for research, teaching and consulting in regional economic development.
The Center for Space and Habitability (CSH) leads the European CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite) project. Its Physics Institute contributed to the first flight to the moon and still carries out experiments and provides apparatus for NASA and ESA space missions on a regular basis.
Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR): This center is a world leader in studying climate change.

Student Body and Enrollment

In 2024, the University of Bern had 19,608 students. Of these, 41 percent (8,071) were registered in bachelor programs and 25 percent (4,992) in master's programs, 18 percent (3,518) were doctoral students, and another 15 percent (3,027) were enrolled in continuing education programs. In 2021, there were 1,667 bachelor's degree graduation, 1,603 master's degree graduations and 725 PhD student graduations. For some time now, the university has had more female than male students.

Rankings and Recognition

The University of Bern has been ranked as one of the top 150 universities in the world. A number of professors at the University of Bern were pioneers in their field.

University rankings compare schools from all over the world. The University of Bern is consistently ranked as one of the best. In 2023, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings placed it 94th in the world. The QS World University Rankings placed it 120th. The university is ranked 114th in the world by QS World University Rankings and 109th in the world by Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

The University of Bern has a rich history of notable alumni, including Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity while affiliated with the university. The Russian-born Anna Tumarkin was the first female professor in Europe with the right to examine doctoral and post-doctoral students. The physician Gabriel Gustav Valentin was the first Jewish professor to be elected to a chair at a German-speaking university. Theodor Oskar Rubeli was co-responsible for founding the first faculty of veterinary medicine in the world.

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