Non-Swiss University Degree
If you have a master's degree from a university outside of Switzerland, please follow the application process as described below. All application forms must be completed and submitted in English.
1) Registration at UniBE
Look yourself for a supervisor, if you need assistance in the process, contact the GSPRE coordination office.
Once you have found a supervisor, please apply at www.application.unibe.ch, if you are not already registered at the University of Bern.
After your online registration is complete, you need to collect your application dossier:
- Complete the Confirmation of Supervision, simultaneously obtaining your supervisor’s signature.
- Confirmation of Supervision, incl. the following documents have to be passed on to supervisor for signature.
Please send the merged single PDF file to the GSPRE coordination office. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your email and await further information.
- Copy of the university degree, that qualifies you for admission to a doctorate (Master’s degree or Licentiate)
or originally certified photocopy of your university degree and the translation, if your degree is issued in a language other than German, French, English or Italian - Copy of the academic records (transcripts)
or originally certified photocopies and the translation if the list of academic records issued in a language other than German, French, English or Italian - Curriculum Vitae in table form with uninterrupted chronology of your education and academic studies up to the present
- Photocopy of your valid identity card (front and back) or passport
- This does not apply to you if you were registered at the University of Bern for the first time after 2012.
- Declaration of Consent
This does not apply to you if you achieved your Master's degree at the University of Bern.
The completed and signed application file has to be passed for verification of your entrance qualifications to the Admissions Office.
If you meet the admission requirements, the dossier is passed on for signature to the GSPRE coordination office.
Links for Registration at the University of Bern
2) Application to the GSPRE
Application Deadlines
Registration for the desired semester is only possible, if the online application, the fully completed and signed Confirmation of Supervision and the required documents are available at the time of the application deadline.
Submission of Application Dossier for fall semester: 15th June
Submission of Application Dossier for spring semester: 30th November
Application Process
After the GSPRE coordination office has received your application file from the Admissions Office, you will be contacted by email to submit the following additional documents in a merged PDF file. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of your email and await further information.
- Recommendation Letter from your supervisor, dated and signed.
- Confirmation of employment related to the PhD research project for a minimum of 2 years
Written on official letter paper, dated and signed. - Confirmation of Co-Advisor, dated and signed
- PhD Thesis Project Proposal, dated and signed
If the GSPRE approves all submitted documentation, the GSPRE will forward the documents, including the signed Confirmation of Supervision to the Admissions Office (ZIB) via email, with the applicant and the applicant’s supervisor copied on the email.
Please note that you will need to submit the original of your university degree, that qualifies you for admission to a doctorate personally or by postal mail to the Admissions Office.
After the Submission
In order to evaluate the professional aptitude of each applicant, the expert commission conducts a personal interview in English.
The PhD committee decides on admission based on the quality of the application and the personal interview.
You will receive an email with further information regarding the interview and process afterward.
Downloads
- GSPRE PhD Non-Swiss Application Process 2024 (PDF, 2 pages, 202KB)
- GSPRE PhD Non-Swiss Application Checklist (PDF, 1 page, 172KB)
- Confirmation of Supervision with a Non-Swiss Degree 2024 (PDF, 4 pages, 172KB)
- GSPRE PhD Statement Co-Advisor 2024 (WORD, 1 page, 220KB)
- GSPRE PhD Thesis Proposal Template 2024 (WORD, 2 pages, 215KB)
3) Interview GSPRE
Purpose
The interview allows the Graduate School of Precision Engineering to discuss your research project with you more closely and evaluate your potential as an academic researcher. It further provides you’re the opportunity to demonstrate your acquired scientific knowledge, and soft skills and is a chance to meet the institute.
You may receive feedback with detailed information that will offer valuable insights from experts, highlight potential areas for improvement in your proposal, and suggest new avenues of inquiry.
Arrangement of the Interview
After your application has been assessed, you will receive a date and timeframe for your interview by the GSPRE. If you are unavailable on said day, please contact the GSPRE office promptly for rescheduling.
Interviews take place within one to three months after you receive confirmation of the receipt of your application. The interview committee is determined by the GSPRE and based on your thesis proposal and the expertise of the individual mentors.