Frequently Asked Questions
You apply for studies at the University of Lucerne via the university’s UniPortal. Please note the application deadlines (spring semester: 30 November, autumn semester: 30 April). Once you have applied, you will be emailed a personal registration invitation. Further information can be found on the application and admission page.You apply for studies at the University of Lucerne via the university’s UniPortal. Please note the application deadlines (spring semester: 30 November, autumn semester: 30 April). Once you have applied, you will be emailed a personal registration invitation. Further information can be found on the application and admission page.
It is possible to register for study programmes after the official registration deadline before the following dates:
Spring semester: 31 January
Autumn semester: 31 August
However, you will be charged an additional processing fee of CHF 150.
The study registration fee for all study levels is CHF 100 (except for the Religious Education diploma course, which is CHF 515).
A bachelor’s programme is the first academic degree within the tiered degree framework of bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. Admission to a bachelor’s programme is subject to certain conditions (school-leaving certificate, German language skills).
Students who are completely prevented from attending classes for a long period of time on important grounds (illness, accident, maternity leave, internship, military service or civilian service) may be granted a leave of absence by the responsible dean’s office upon written request. The leave of absence applies for one semester and can be granted no more than twice per academic cycle. Students on a leave of absence remain registered at the University of Lucerne but are not required to pay any tuition fees. Students on a leave of absence may not attend courses or sit exams. Students on a leave of absence retain access to libraries and continue to have use of their student email account.
An application for leave must be submitted to the responsible dean’s office. The deadlines are as follows:
Spring semester: 15 February, autumn semester: 15 September
The CampusCard, which is in credit card format, serves as a student identity card and is also a method of payment in the canteen.
The fall semester 2020 will take place in hybrid mode. This means that one group of students will be present in the Uni/PH building, while another group of students will attend lectures via the Zoom software. The groups participating in analog and digital form will alternate.
Information and tips on studying in the hybrid semester: www.unilu.ch/go-hybrid
All academic achievements are calculated according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and awarded credit points. One CP represents a workload of 25 to 30 hours. As well as attendance time, CPs also cover preparation and follow-up work for classes.
The dean’s office is the central contact point for a faculty. It is run by the dean. The dean’s office is responsible for elements including quality assurance, coordinating the course catalogue, administering academic achievements and organising examinations.
A faculty is an organisational unit within a university, often representing a subject area. However, multiple smaller subjects may also be grouped together within a single faculty. The University of Lucerne consists of the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics and Management and the Department of Health Sciences and Medicine.
Studying costs money, and can sometimes be a huge financial burden. Our website offers tips and assistance for funding your studies, as well as on insurance issues. For example, find further information about cantonal education grants. Some foundations also offer financial support for studies. The SOL can provide temporary short-term solutions in the event of unexpected financial difficulties.
The specific specialist content of the various bachelor’s and master’s programmes means that different ancient and modern language skills are required or recommended. Information on this is available from the faculties.
Latin, Greek and Hebrew courses are available from the Faculty of Theology. These can also be attended by students of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. More details can be found in the Faculty of Theology’s annotated course catalogue under language courses.
No knowledge of Latin is required for studies at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
University of Lucerne students receive a discount of at least 20% on the cost of courses at the Bénédict language school. This school offers courses at various levels in languages such as English, French, Italian, Spanish and German. Further information can be found under language courses.
If you have forgotten your password or have other questions about University of Lucerne email services, software or hardware, you can contact the IT department’s helpdesk (helpdesk@unilu.ch T +41 41 229 50 10)
Registration is when you sign up as a student at the university. It must be done in person upon written invitation before the beginning of the first semester. Once your studies are complete or if you change to another university, you terminate your enrolment.
Once you have paid the semester fee, you can download a confirmation of registration for the current semester from the UniPortal. The registration remains valid if you take a leave of absence or spend a period studying abroad (mobility).
Before the Bologna model and tiered study programmes (bachelor’s and master’s) were introduced, a licentiate degree represented the end of university study. A licentiate is therefore equivalent to a master’s degree.
A master’s programme is the second academic degree within the tiered degree framework of bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required for admission to a master’s programme.
Further information can be found under Uni/PH canteen.
Discounts are offered to members of all Swiss universities.
Military service deferral requests are submitted to the relevant faculty advisor and processed by the military authorities in the canton of residence.
Make sure that you find out about the services to be undertaken in your units in good time. Military service deferral requests must be submitted no fewer than 16 weeks before the service is due to begin. Requests submitted less than 14 weeks before the service begins may only be processed by the responsible authorities under the army command’s new regulations if there are legitimate, pressing, unforeseeable grounds. Military service deferral requests can be found under military service.
Enhance your studies with a period at another university in Switzerland, Europe or anywhere in the world. The University of Lucerne helps you do this with a range of exchange programmes, and can also offer a certain level of financial and organisational support.
There are excellent reasons for spending a semester or two studying at a different university: as well as providing an academic boost to your own studies, a period abroad will also introduce you to new cultures and people. In addition, studies abroad have a positive impact on your future career.
There are three exchange programmes available: mobility in Switzerland (CH-UNIMOBIL), mobility in Europe (SEMP/Erasmus) and mobility outside of Europe (Partnership).
All information about lecture times, public holidays and dates for the next semester can be found here.
The students’ organisation Lucerne (SOL) is the association for all University of Lucerne students and represents their interests within the university and political arena. The SOL is split into various faculty bodies, departments and task forces, all of which welcome participation from students.
Overview of current registration and tuition fees plus bank/payment details.
Further information is available here.
A list of the University of Lucerne’s various sites can be found here.
The UniPortal offers access to a variety of resources including the course catalogue, course registration, changing your personal details and termination of enrolment.
Prospective students can only qualify for university studies if they meet certain requirements. These are published centrally and can be found under application and admission. Once you have applied, your documents will be reviewed. You will then be informed if your application has been approved.
