Studies

The Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Bern offers an integrated Bologna study program in Veterinary Medicine as well as several doctoral programs.

Veterinary Medicine covers the following areas:

  • Measures that promote the health and well-being of animals: breeding, husbandry, nutrition, treatment
  • Research, prevention, and treatment of diseases
  • Protection of humans from harm caused by animal diseases
  • Control of food products of animal origin
  • Issues related to animal and environmental protection

All relevant information on admission, content, and structure of the study program can be found in the factsheets under “Study Programs”.

General Information about the Study Program

The Vetsuisse Faculty, with its two locations at the Universities of Bern and Zurich, is the only institution in Switzerland offering training in Veterinary Medicine.

The study of Veterinary Medicine is a federally regulated, structured, university-level program lasting 5.5 years and is subject to admission restrictions (numerus clausus, aptitude test). The new 2021 curriculum follows the Bologna principles and is therefore divided into a Bachelor's program (semesters 1 to 6) and a Master's program (semesters 7 to 11), utilizing the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Currently, around 450 veterinary medicine students and 70 doctoral candidates are enrolled at the Vetsuisse Faculty in Bern.

The basis for the current 2021 curriculum is the VET-PROFILES competency framework. This was developed in collaboration with other veterinary institutions in Europe, the Swiss Veterinary Association (GST), and with direct involvement of students. VET-PROFILES defines the outcomes of the educational process, taking into account the most common roles veterinarians assume after graduation. The training aims to provide sound fundamental knowledge in all areas of veterinary medicine and, through practice-oriented teaching, to enable students to develop professional competence and problem-solving capacity.

VET-PROFILES Competence diagram