Frequently Asked Questions
INCOMING Students
1. How and where do you get an entry visa to Switzerland? Exchange students (non degree seeking) from other countries than the European Union must find out what the requirements are to enable them to study in Switzerland and apply for the visa at the Swiss Consulate General, Consulate or Consular Section of the Embassy in their home country a few months in advance. It is recommended to begin as soon as the "Attestation d'inscription" (Registration Confirmation) of the University of Fribourg has been recieved.
2. What does the "Infopackage" we get from the host university contain? The "infopackage" that exchange students (non degree seeking) get from the International Relations Office by email contains necessary documents to prepare their stay at the University of Fribourg (Registration forms, Program for linguistic level update and intercultural discovery-special intensive language course, Accomodation guide, Brochure, etc.).
3. What is the deadline to send in the Registration form? The International Relations Office must receive the Registration form before May 30th for the next Autumn semester (SA) and October 31st for the next Spring semester (SP).
4. Is there a French language course before the beginning of the semester? There is a French language course at the beginning of the semesters. Nevertheless it is NOT a course for BEGINNERS. It is a program for exchange students (non degree seeking) to refresh and update language skills through an intensive French course while being exposed to the Swiss culture (Programme de mise à niveau linguistique et découverte interculturelle - Cours spécial intensif de français pour étudiants hôtes). The course takes place 3 weeks before the Fall semester and 2 weeks before the Spring semester. Prices are 250.- Swiss Francs (3 week course) and 180.- Swiss Francs (2 weeks course). For additional information visit the "Centre de Langues"'s website: http://www.unifr.ch/centredelangues/fr/
5. What is the deadline to register for the Intensive French course ? The deadline to register for the Intensive French Course (Programme de mise à niveau linguistique et découverte interculturelle - Cours special intensif de français pour étudiant hôtes) - is July 4th for the course to be held before the Fall semester (SA) and December 12th for the course to be held before the Spring semester (SP).
6. How is the academic year divided? The academic year is divided into two semesters, each of fourteen teaching weeks. An 8 week inter-semester break will separate them. During this period students take the opportunity to prepare seminar works, dissertations and exams.
7. What is the style of teaching? Teaching is given in the form of lectures, seminars and exercises, as well as case studies.
8. Are there orientation sessions upon arrival? Yes, there are. For those exchange students (non degree seeking) attending the Intensive French Course (Programme de mise à niveau linguistique et découverte interculturelle) - Cours intensif de français - during the first week of the course and for the other students arriving for the semester only during the week before semester start (normally on Friday). These information/orientation sessions are mandatory.
9. Must the student get a "Student Residence Permit? Yes, all exchange students (non degree seeking) must register upon arrival at the "Service de la Population et des Migrants" (SPOMI) in order to receive a residence permit for the whole duration of the studies-stay. Detailed information is given at the information/orientation sessions.
10. What is the teaching language of the University? The teaching languages of the University are French and German. Some masters courses are given in English.
11. Is the choice of courses restricted for exchange students (non degree seeking)? There are no particular restrictions for exchange students (non degree seeking) to choose and follow courses. Nevertheless the number of students in some lectures or seminars might be limited. To ensure a place, the students should contact the departmental coordinator or the professor beforehand to make sure he/she can follow the course.
12. Are the information/orientation sessions mandatory? Yes, the information/orientation sessions organized by the International Relations Office are mandatory. There, exchange students (non degree seeking) will receive all documents (Student card, IT account, Confirmation of registration, etc...) and all the necessary and useful information for the stay in Fribourg.
13. Is there a student on Campus organization? Yes, there is the ESN "Erasmus Student Network". Its aim is to welcome and orient exchange students (non degree seeking) both in university matters as well as for general life. ESN provides a program allowing exchange students (non degree seeking) to get to know Swiss students and to discover cultural life in Switzerland.
14. Where can I find the courses catalogue? http://www.unifr.ch/
A link to the courses catalogue "Programme des cours/Vorlesungsverzeichnis" can be found on the menu of the university website or also on: http://gestens.unifr.ch/ or on the department webpages.
15. Where can I find the list of the departmental coordinators?
Department of Theology : Curatorium : www.unifr.ch/theo/theo1240fr.htm
Department of Law: Bureau Erasmus et des relations internationales de la Faculté de droit
Department of Economics and Social Sciences :Ø www.unifr.ch/ses/mySES_0_9_2/index.php
Deparment of Sciences : www.unifr.ch/science/current/conseillers_f.php
Department of « Lettres » (Arts) : www.unifr.ch/lettres/fr/etude/conseiller (listed by Study field)
16. How do I get a Transcript of Records? The results of study (courses attended and written/oral exams, presentations, works) are handed over to the student at the end of his/her stay. Once the International Relations Office gets these results (handed over by the student or by the Department directly), it will prepare a Transcript of Records to be sent to the partner university.
17. Who is the contact office for administrative issues at the University? Please Refer to the Website: http://www.unifr.ch/international/fr
18. Where can I find support in case of administrative problems? Please contact the International Relations Office: international@unifr.ch
19. Where can I find support in case of academic problems? Please contact your studies coordinator or the Department (Faculty) directly.
20. Does the university guarantee accommodation for exchange students (non degree seeking)? No, the university does not guarantee accommodation for exchange students (non degree seeking). The International Relations Office sends among the "Infopackage" a guide to find accommodation. It's the student's full responsibility to find an accommodation that suits his/her expectations.
21. How are the Credits transferred back home? Results on the Transcript of Records (sent to the partner university) contain the results given in the system of notation of the Department concerned. An ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) conversion table will be attached to the transcript.
22. How long is the IT account accessible after leaving the University? Please click on the link below:
http://student.unifr.ch/support/fr/?do=faq&idfaq=36
23. What does SA SP AA mean? SA means Autumn semester - SP means Spring semester -AA means Academic Year
(for instance : SA09 = Autumn semester 2009)
24. How do we get the stipend? During their stay exchange students (non degree seeking) will receive a monthly a stipend which covers expenses as rent, food, academic material, personal expenses, etc.
25. Must the ISEP student contract a Third Liability Insurance in Switzerland?
The third party liability insurance is not included within the ISEP Package. Please read the following and/or visit the Swisscare website: http://www.swisscare.ch/:
Many people have third party liability insurance in Switzerland. This covers all members of a family and includes damage done or caused by your children and pets - for example, if your dog or child bites someone. Where damage is due to severe negligence, benefits may be reduced. Check whether insurance covers you against accidental damage to your home's fixtures and fittings. Third party liability insurance can be combined with household insurance (see household). The cost of third party liability insurance can be included in household insurance. The landlords require also this insurance for renting an apartment. Premiums per year: are about CHF 90 / year.
Therefore the ISEP student should absolutely contract a Third Party Liability plan once in Fribourg.
26. (For female students) Must the the Home Health Insurance contain the clause related to the coverage of "pregnancy"?
Yes the foreign health insurance must contain the clause covered for "pregnancy" as the Swiss Health Insurance regulations contains in its basic coverage the case of pregnancy (it is mandatory). The responsible institution which in Fribourg will check the insurance policies upon arrival, will not accept it without this coverage.
If this is not possible to manage with the home insurance company, the student must take an insurance in Switzerland for his/her stay.
Some links:
AGEF -who can help in these cases: http://www.unifr.ch/agef/fr/services/assurances
SWISSCARE: http://swisscare.ch/plan_ch.html
27. When do exams take place?
Exams normally take place at the end of the semester:
Autumn semester: last week before the courses end (December) and/orduring January.
Spring semester: last week before the courses end (May) and/or during June.
