FAQ

The counselling service is available to all students and employees who are currently enrolled or working at one of the universities of Bern. The universities of Bern include:

• the University of Bern
• the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH)
• the Bern University of Teacher Education

If you are a prospective student, a student who has not yet enrolled or a former student or employee of a higher education institution, you can contact the vocational, study and career counselling service of their respective canton of residence. You can find the relevant addresses at the «Schweizerisches Dienstleistungszentrum Berufsbildung» (SDBB). In the canton of Bern, you can contact the vocational guidance and information centres (BIZ).

• SDBB – Addresses of vocational education and training and career guidance services (in German)
• BIZ – Homepage (in German) 
   

You can bring up personal issues as well as issues relevant to your studies and career. You can find topics and, in some cases, self-help material here:

• Counselling Centre Universities of Bern – Topics
   

All services provided by the Counselling Centre of the universities of Bern are free of charge.

Sometimes, a small fee is charged for certain workshops, but this is noted on a case-by-case basis:

• All workshops are held in German! 
• Universities of Bern Counselling Centre – Workshops (in German) 
   

You can register by telephone or in person at the secretariat of the Counselling Centre of the Universities of Bern. Please note our opening hours.

• Telephone: +41 31 635 24 35 
• Address: Erlachstrasse 17, 3012 Bern
  
  
• Universities of Bern Counselling Centre – Latest News
   

A session usually lasts about 60 minutes. Initial interviews sometimes take a little longer.

The time frame of a counselling session (number and frequency of sessions) varies depending on the issues. For issues of great complexity, you will be referred to another specialised centre, depending on the availability of resources.  

Yes it will. As a department of the Directorate of Education and Culture of the Canton of Bern, we are structurally independent of the universities. In addition, as psychologists, we adhere to our professional secrecy or duty of confidentiality. 
 

• Telephone: 031 632 88 11 (open 24hs a day) 
• Murtenstrasse 21, 3008 Bern 
• UPD – psychiatric emergency (in German)
   

• Telephone: Telephone: 0900 57 67 47 (open 24 hours a day, chargeable)
• MEDPHONE homepage  (in German)
   

Emergency practice with no appointment necessary at Bern railway station.

• Telephone: 031 326 20 00 (open daily 7 am – 10 pm)
• Schanzenstrasse 4A, 3008 Bern 
• City Notfall – website (in German) 
  
  

This number provides you with access to specially trained counsellors around the clock who will take the time to talk to you.

• Telephone: 143 (open 24 hours a day, 0-70 centimes charge).
• Die dargebotene Hand = Heart2Heart