Known for fine chocolates, great skiing and cuckoo clocks, Switzerland has a reputation for the luxurious and the unusual. Beyond these stereotypes, the country has a long history of nominal neutrality, yet remains a major player in banking, politics, diplomacy and other areas of global cooperation, hosting the International Red Cross, among other organisations. Major cities include Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Bern. Culturally diverse, the country is organised on a federal system (cantons) with a unique form of participatory democracy involving frequent referenda, and it combines ethnic and linguistic groups who identify as French, German, Italian and Romansh speaking.

Students spend two consecutive semesters studying at one of the following universities in Switzerland.

• Université de Lausanne
• Universität Berne
• Universität Zürich

The location and content of each student's period of In-country Study in Switzerland is determined by the level of their language competence in French or German. Generally speaking, students who have a sound working knowledge of French or German before their entrance to UTS – usually defined as HSC 3-unit or a good pass in 2-unit French or German – can study an appropriate two-semester program of host university subjects broadly relating to language, society and culture. Alternatively, provision exists for such students to increase their language proficiency in the other language before completing In-country Study as a dual language option. Consult the Switzerland major coordinator if you would like to pursue this as an option.

All other students spend a first semester engaged in the study of language and culture going on to a second semester of subjects chosen more broadly from the University's curriculum.

Students are assessed on each semester separately. Assessment is based on the subjects studied at the host university, as well as project work administered by the Institute for International Studies.

Students should be aware that costs of living in Switzerland are generally slightly higher than in Australia, with eating out particularly expensive. However, it is possible to spend a year there on an amount roughly comparable to living away from home in Sydney. Students studying in Lausanne may currently apply for a University accommodation grant.

Locations

Lausanne

Lausanne, in French-speaking Switzerland, is in a stunningly beautiful location, built on a series of steep hills with views of Lake Geneva and the snow-capped mountains of the Alps in the distance. The built environment is not as charming as the natural one, but there are still pockets of medieval buildings, lovely 17th century monuments such as the town hall, and wonderfully ornate hotels and blocks of apartments with florid wrought iron decoration from the late 19th century.

The Université de Lausanne (UNIL) has around 10,000 students and seven schools – Law, Arts, Social and Political Sciences (including Sports Sciences), Business, Science, Medicine and Religious Studies – mainly located at Dorigny on the banks of Lake Geneva, a 10-minute metro ride from the city centre.

Bern

Bern is the capital city of Switzerland, founded by the House of Zähringen in the 11th century. After the town was destroyed by a fire in the 13th century, all the buildings were rebuilt in sandstone, and have never since been destroyed by war. The 'Altstadt' now has World Heritage listing with UNO. Bern is small, full of teddy-bears in all sizes and shapes, offers multicultural cuisines and prides itself on being the bridge between the German and French speaking parts of Switzerland.

The University of Bern was founded in 1834 and has a generalist, traditional profile. Its seven faculties include: Theology, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Economics, Medicine (including Veterinary Medicine) and Natural Sciences. The University is located in the city's traditional student quarter – 'Länggasse' – and is very close to the main railway station. A direct tramline connects the railway station and Uni Tobler, the main complex for Humanties and Social Sciences.

Zurich

Zurich, in German-speaking Switzerland, is the largest city and the banking capital of Switzerland, with an international atmosphere and a vibrant cultural life. Never touched by war, the city is a beautiful mixture of medieval, classical and contemporary architecture. The Lake of Zurich and the green hills around the city and the nearby Alps give Zurich its particular charm and a relaxed atmosphere. Zurich International Airport is Switzerland's door to the world.

The University of Zurich was founded in 1833, the first University in Europe founded by a state without ecclesiastical or royal patronage. Its seven faculties are Theology; Arts (including Social Sciences); Sciences; Law; Economics, Business Administration and Information Technology; Medicine; Veterinary Medicine. With around 2,000 academic staff and over 20,000 students, the University of Zurich is the largest institution of higher education in Switzerland, offering the widest range of courses. It also has the highest percentage of foreign students from other than the EU states. Its prominent researchers include a number of Nobel Prize laureates and leading scientists and scholars in all fields.

Completion requirements

Select one of the following:		8cp
50140 Comparative Social Change	8cp
76600 International Legal Studies	8cp
976404 Contemporary Switzerland		8cp
977460 In-country Study 1: Switzerland		24cp
978460 In-country Study 2: Switzerland		24cp
CBK90483 French Language and Culture		32cp
Total		96cp