Universität Freiburg/Université de Fribourg (University of Freiburg), Switzerland

If you are a student from the European Economic Area, you do not need to apply for a residence permit, and should be able to enter Switzerland with your passport or national identity card. Students from outside the European Economic Area will need to apply for a residence permit and visa if applicable. Please visit the University’s website for more information on entry to Switzerland.

You should ensure that your passport is valid for the duration of your trip, and for at least six months after you return to the UK. You should scan your passport and keep a copy for your records.

If you are a European Union national, you will not require a visa and may enter the European Union countries with your passport or national identity card. Please note that you may have to comply with legal obligations, such as registering your address with the local authorities.

If you are an international student who has a visa to study in the UK, and you have any questions about the implications of studying or working abroad whilst matriculated at St Andrews, you should consult Student Services by emailing advint@st-andrews.ac.uk. You can also check the passports and visas page for further information.

As an exchange student, you will not pay tuition fees to your host university, and will only be liable for your normal St Andrews tuition fees.

Research Council students should make sure that they have their funding body’s permission to study abroad, notifying them particularly for any mobility grants that they may be receiving.

Unlike most European countries, Switzerland does not use the Euro as their currency and instead use the Swiss Franc, CHF. For 2021-2022, students going to Switzerland will be eligible for the Swiss European Mobility Programme (SEMP), funded by Switzerland. The sum is paid by the University of Fribourg at the start of each semester. Students from the UK receive 1900 CHF for a single semester exchange, or two payments of 1900 CHF for an exchange lasting two semesters. You will need to open a bank account in Switzerland to receive the money. The University of Fribourg works with a bank that is used to setting up these accounts. To receive the grant, you must study at Fribourg for at least three months and follow Fribourg’s terms and conditions.

The University of Fribourg is served by three Swiss airports: Zurich, Basel EuroAirport and Geneva Airport. Geneva Airport is the closest to the University. A train line, which runs directly from the airport to Fribourg takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Alternatively, students can arrive at either Zurich or Basel EuroAirport. These airports are less than two hours away from Fribourg by train, however you may be required to change trains.

The city of Fribourg has several bus lines which connect the city and the surrounding areas. Taxis are also available, however they are relatively expensive even for short distances.