Choosing/changing a field of study

Identify your interests and abilities and find out what values are important to you. The better the field of study you choose fits these criteria, the more comfortable you will be in your field of study and later in your career.
The study counselling service «ask» (commissioned by the Canton of Aargau and various institutions) offers various opportunities to explore your own interests, abilities and ideas for the future:

• ask! Studying – My interests and abilities (in German)

Online Self-Assessments (OSA) help you to get to know your expectations and interests better. You can also familiarise yourself with the requirements of your chosen course of study:

• Online-Self-Assessment Portal – Overview (in German)
   

Find out about the different fields of study and programmes. The range of programmes offered at the various universities is very broad. Allow enough time for this step as well. You can find a useful overview of your options at the “ask” student advisory service

• ask! Studying – My options (in German)

If you have found an attractive field of study, attending an information event can clarify many questions and give you further impressions:

• University of Bern – Bachelor Information Days
  
• Bern University of Applied Sciences – Information events (in German)
• Bern University of Teacher Education – Visitor Days (in German)
   

Are you now clear about what you can and want to do? The various pieces of information, the weighing and comparing, perhaps also conversations and observations all lead to this next step, coming to a decision:

• Decisions are important, but not final.
• Our counsellors can support you in making your decision.

If you are still unsure, it can be helpful to try out the chosen field of study. Visit the relevant university before making a final decision. Sit in on a lecture or take advantage of (online) taster lectures. Talk to students and ask any questions you still have:

Wenn Sie noch unsicher sind, kann das Schnuppern oder Ausprobieren der gewählten Studienrichtung hilfreich sein. Besuchen Sie vor dem definitiven Entscheid die entsprechende Hochschule. Setzen Sie sich in eine Vorlesung oder nutzen Sie (Online-)Schnuppervorlesungen. Sprechen Sie Studierende an und stellen Sie Ihre noch offenen Fragen:

• University of Bern – Studies – Prospective students – Taster events
• Bern University of Applied Sciences – Personal taster day (in German)
• Bern University of Teacher Education – Taster Sessions (in German)

Our library has additional literature and resources for choosing a course of study, including the documents listed below:

• Swiss Service Centre for Vocational Education and Training – Booklet: Study in sight (in German)
• Booklet series: Perspectives (in German)
   

If during the first few weeks of study you become convinced that you are wrong about your combination of subjects, you can claim the first-semester grace period for first-year students.
However, this is only possible if you can quickly decide on an alternative field of study at the University of Bern. Our suggestions for choosing a course of study as well as the overview of Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes at the University of Bern may help you to do so:

• University of Bern – Studies – Degree Programs and Courses – Bachelor's Degree Programs 
• University of Bern – Studies – Degree Programs and Courses – Master's Degree Programs

The Admissions Office (ZIB) will tell you how to proceed if you want to change your study program:

• University of Bern – Application to change study program
• University of Bern – ZIB
  
  

If you want to change your study programme at the Bern University of Applied Sciences, please contact the relevant programme director for further information:

• Bern University of Applied Sciences – FAQ
   

If you wish to change your study programme at the Bern University of Teacher Education, please contact the relevant programme manager for further information:

• PHBern – Contact – Course of study (in German)