Access to the Programmes
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Admission Requirements
General Requirements for Hérodote and Hérodote Plus
Candidates for both programmes must meet at least the following requirements:
- be an individual with a legal status pertaining to the field of asylum, holding in particular an F, B, or S permit (individuals holding an N permit may apply but will only be able to access the programmes once they have obtained an F or B status);
- have received written approval from the entity responsible for integration (e.g. an integration counsellor);
- possess a level corresponding at minimum to A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in the intended study language (French or German);
- have successfully passed a selection interview.
Additional Requirements for Hérodote
To access the Hérodote programme, candidates must meet all admission requirements for the intended level of studies at the University of Fribourg, with the exception of the proof of sufficient language proficiency. These requirements are listed on the website of the Admissions and Enrolment Office.
Additional Requirements for Hérodote Plus
To access the Hérodote Plus programme, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- be at least 24 years old;
- hold an upper‑secondary school leaving certificate (such as a baccalauréat, High School Diploma, etc.);
- have developed a coherent study project in a study programme open to participants in the Hérodote Plus programme.
Number of Participants
The number of places in the programmes is limited. If the number of admissible applications exceeds the number of available places, priority will be given to individuals who meet the following criteria:
- level B1 in the chosen study language;
- at least level A2 in English;
- residence in the Canton of Fribourg;
- a realistic study project consistent with the applicant’s previous educational background.
The detailed admission requirements can be found in the Regulations and Directives.
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Admission Procedure
1. Defining your study project
Before beginning an application process, you must have a clear study project, which you can develop together with your integration consellor or another person supporting you in your integration process. In particular, you must have chosen the programme in which you intend to enrol for your regular studies after the preparatory year.
2. Contacting the Hérodote team
Once you have chosen your future study programme, you can contact the Hérodote team by email to receive an online application link. Please do so at least two weeks before the online application deadline (see section “Application Periods”).
In your message, please indicate:
- your full name and age;
- your place of residence;
- the type of residence permit you hold;
- the name of the person supporting your integration process;
- your level in the intended study language (and especially whether you have reached at least level A2).
Contact address: herodote@unifr.ch
3. Starting your online application
Once the Hérodote team has provided you with an application link, you will have to create an account on the online application portal (Inscruni) and then click on the link sent by email. You can then complete the application form, with help from your integration counsellor if necessary.
Registration for the programme and the analysis of your application documents are free of charge.
4. Uploading your documents
After the online registration has been validated, a personalised list of required documents will be available in your Inscruni account. All listed documents are necessary for processing your admission request and must be uploaded to Inscruni within the indicated deadlines. If you experience difficulties obtaining any of the requested documents, please contact the Hérodote team before submitting your application.
Indicative list of documents to provide
Certified translations must meet specific criteria.
5. Processing your application
The Office for Admissions and Registration reviews your application based on the regular admission requirements for studies at the University of Fribourg. On the basis of this review, it is decided for which of the two programmes your application can be considered.
6. Language test
After this review by the Office for Admissions and Registration, the Hérodote team invites you by email to a language proficiency test. The test takes place at the University of Fribourg’s Language Centre and covers listening and reading comprehension as well as oral and written expression. Your level is assessed for two purposes:
- to determine whether your language skills meet the level required for access to the programme;
- to plan which language courses you will have to take during the programme.
7. Selection interview
The Hérodote team also invites you by email to a selection interview. This interview generally takes place in the presence of your integration counsellor and is conducted by several members of the Hérodote team. It focuses on your previous background, your current situation in Switzerland, your motivations, and in particular your study project. Its aim is to evaluate whether your study project is realistic and whether it is feasible for you to participate in a full-time study programme.
8. Decision
At the end of the selection process, you will receive an official decision by email from the Office for Admissions and Registration. If the decision is positive, you will then be enrolled at the University of Fribourg in the Hérodote or Hérodote Plus programme and will have access to the services available to students.
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Registration periods
Hérodote can be started in the autumn semester and in the spring semester, while Hérodote Plus can only be started in the autumn semester.
Online applications are open during the periods indicated below. Please contact the Hérodote team no later than two weeks before the final online application deadline.
- Autumn semester:
1 February – 30 April - Spring semester:
1 September – 30 November
- Autumn semester: