Questions, answers, quintessences (FAQ)

FAQ for prospective students and students of biomedical sciences.

Enrolments

• I would like to enrol for the Biomedical Sciences degree programme. What documents should I enclose?

  Please note the admission requirements of the University of Fribourg and contact the Admissions and Enrolment Office if you have any questions.

• Is enrolment for this degree programme subject to special conditions?

  Enrolment is only possible with a federal baccalaureate certificate or a certificate of prior education recognised as equivalent in accordance with the regulations on admission to the University of Fribourg (see Details). No special prior knowledge is required. The annual application deadline is 30 April.

• Can I enrol for this degree programme if I am also registered for the aptitude test for medical studies?

  Yes, you can also apply to study Biomedical Sciences, but only until 30 April. As soon as you have received the result of the aptitude test (usually at the beginning of August), you can decide which degree programme you would like to start.

• I failed to register before 30 April

  The annual registration deadline is 30 April. Late applications for admission will not be accepted. This rule applies without exception.

Courses

• Can I choose the language of the courses? Is my school French or school German sufficient?

  The language of instruction depends on the lecturers (d/f). You can ask questions to the lecturers in your own language. You must have passive knowledge of the second language, particularly in terms of reading and listening comprehension. You are not obliged to speak in your second language. All exam questions are offered in both languages (German and French). Nevertheless, we recommend that you brush up on your school French or school German.

• May I attend one or other of the courses on this degree programme to get an idea of what it's like?

  Yes, it is possible to attend lectures, but not practical work or exercises. Details regarding dates, location and type of courses can be found in the following Moodle.

Crediting of ECTS points

• Is it possible to transfer ECTS credits from another degree programme?

  You must submit your detailed application to the "Studiengesuchskommission"/"Commission de requêtes" of the Faculty of Maths, Naturopathy and Medicine. Please read the procedure carefully.

Change of degree programme, de-registration

• I would like to change to another degree programme at the University of Freiburg

  The change of study programme can be carried out on MyUnifr.

• I am enrolled in another degree programme at the University of Freiburg, but would like to switch to Biomedical Sciences

  Please follow the procedure described on "Change of degree course or programme". The change must take place before the autumn semester. It will not be accepted at a later date for organisational reasons. NOTE: This procedure is only possible for students who have completed at least two semesters at the University of Fribourg.

• I would like to discontinue my studies at the University of Freiburg or have already completed them and would now like to de-register

  The de-registration must be carried out on MyUnifr.

• I would like to be de-registered from the University of Fribourg, but still take exams in the next examination session

  If you still want to take examinations, you can only de-register after you have enrolled for the respective examinations.

Certificates, diplomas

• I need a confirmation of enrolment

  You can find a confirmation of enrolment on MyUnifr (see also Confirmation).

• I am leaving the University of Fribourg and would like to receive confirmation of the credits I have earned in Biomedical Sciences

  Please contact attestations-scimed@unifr.ch of the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Science and Medicine.

• Are the credits earned in Biomedical Sciences recognised at another Swiss university?

  You must address this question to the relevant office at your new university and submit a confirmation of the credit points earned in Freiburg.

• I have completed my Bachelor degree and would now like to receive confirmation of my credit points

  You must first have all credit points (main subject and additional subjects) validated via MyUnifr and pay the corresponding invoices. As soon as you have earned 180 credit points, you will receive a final confirmation (allow 2-4 weeks). The diploma will be presented to you at the graduation ceremony in October as part of a festive event. If you have any questions, please contact attestations-scimed@unifr.ch of the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Science and Medicine. The fees to be paid can be found in the Guidelines regarding fees [DE].

Choice of additional subjects

• When do I have to choose my complementary branches?

  In Biomedical Sciences, the complementary branches are chosen at the end of the second year of study. Some additional branches can already be selected at the end of the first year of study. An information event will be held during the second semester of the programme to introduce you to the various options.

• Which complementary branches can I choose with the Biomedical Sciences major?

  Our degree programme offers two complementary branches, each worth 30 ECTS credits: in-depth biomedical sciences (BMS-A) and applied biomedical sciences (BMS-B). Choosing these two complementary branches gives you access to the consecutive Master programme in Bern. You can also choose other complementary branches totalling 30 or 60 ECTS (sport, biochemistry, computer science, etc.). In this case, a consultation with a study counsellor is necessary.

Examinations, credit transfer, transition to the next academic year

• When do the exams take place?
  What are the registration deadlines?

  The relevant information can be found under "Dates and deadlines" of the Faculty of Science and Medicine (see also Courses and exams).

• Can I start the next academic year if I have not passed or completed the current one?

  In the Biomedical Sciences programme, transfer to the next academic year is regulated as follows: To transfer (access) to the 2nd or 3rd year of the BSc in Biomedical Sciences, students must have passed the previous year (confirmed credit unit) or achieved at least 48 ECTS in the UEs of the credit unit with a "pass" grade or sufficient grade (at least 4). The main reason for this is that many courses are prerequisites for those of the following year. If in doubt, it is advisable to make an appointment with your academic advisor (see below).

• I would like to/must repeat my academic year

  Please contact your student counsellor (see below). After that, there is nothing more to do than pay the semester fee and register for the lessons you wish to repeat. All teaching units that you have already completed or for which you have achieved at least a grade 4 remain validated and can no longer be taken.

Didn't find the answer to your question? Contact biomed-sciences@unifr.ch (future students) or the student advisor patrizia.wannier@unifr.ch (students already enrolled on BMS).