The Bern University of Applied Sciences (BUAS) is one of the seven Swiss universities of applied sciences (UAS). It was founded in 1997 by regrouping 13 former specialized schools. About 5,500 students are enrolled in 27 bachelor degree programmes, 17 master degree programmes and a variety of executive master, diploma and certificate of advanced studies programmes as well as seminars.

Most of the programmes are taught in German, while others are conducted both in French and German. An increasing number of courses or modules within these programmes are delivered in English.

The Bern University of Applied Sciences comprises six departments: the Department of Engineering and Information Technology (www.ti.bfh.ch), the Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering (www.ahb.bfh.ch), the Department of Business and Administration, Health and Social Work (www.wirtschaft.bfh.ch/www.gesundheit.bfh.ch/www.soziale-arbeit.bfh.ch), the Bern University of Arts (www.hkb.bfh.ch), the Swiss College of Agriculture (www.shl.bfh.ch) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen (www.ehsm.ch). The latter two are national centres of expertise.

The BUAS fosters an active internationalisation policy and cooperates with a number of partner institutions within and beyond Europe, in terms of teaching exchanges, research and service delivery.

The Swiss-European bilateral agreements allow the Bern University of Applied Sciences to participate in the Integrated Lifelong Learning Program. It currently promotes student and staff mobility to and from Switzerland by providing student grants for both «incoming» and «outgoing» groups.

Many departments promote opportunities for their undergraduate students to undertake internships or do part of their studies in other countries.