Address: Avenue du 1er-Mars 26, 2000 Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Biology, Computer Science, Hydrogeology and Geothermics
Neuchâtel’s university began as the Academy of Neuchâtel, founded in 1838, and it took its present name in 1909, when the Academy was officially renamed the University of Neuchâtel by decree of the cantonal Grand Council. The geologist Louis Agassiz is associated with the early years of the Academy.
The University of Neuchâtel, often abbreviated UniNE, is located in the city of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. It is organised into four faculties: arts and human sciences, science, law and economics.
Applicants should read the faculty pages for programme lists, the language in which each degree is taught, and the entry rules for Swiss and international holders of foreign qualifications, since these details vary by degree and are updated every year on the official site. The English-language section of the website also gives practical information for newcomers to the city.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Geotechnics, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology and Genetics, Physics, Process Control, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
International student exchange programs and research collaborations. Strong regional links, particularly with watchmaking and microtechnology industries for specific research.
Research:
Research in areas such as plant sciences, parasitology, cognitive science, computer science (information systems, AI), hydrogeology, geothermics, time-frequency metrology, and material sciences.
Famous Alumnis:
Jean Piaget, Edmond Privat
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
1000
Current students***:
4500
Foreign students***:
20%
Cumulative former students***:
30000
Pros
Small university with a good student-to-staff ratio, offering specialized programs and research niches (e.g., hydrogeology, time metrology).
Cons
Limited range of engineering programs.
Best For
Students looking for a smaller university environment with specialized science programs, particularly in biology, computer science, or earth sciences.
Université de Fribourg is a public university with materials science, biology, chemistry and computer science as main fields, a profile close to that of a compact science-oriented university.
Université de Lausanne is public and works in life sciences, geosciences and environmental science, so it is a larger French-language comparison in western Switzerland.
Université de Genève is a public university offering physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and earth science, another French-language option for science students.
Universität Bern is public and lists space research, climate science and biomedical science as main fields, giving a research-heavy alternative in the Swiss capital region.
Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano is a public university concentrating on computer science, computational science and biomedical sciences, an alternative from the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Université de Poitiers in France is a public university with engineering in mechanics, energy and materials among its main fields, a French-language institution.
Université Savoie Mont Blanc in France is a public university specialising in mountain environment and engineering, which suits students attracted by an alpine region.
Universiteit Antwerpen in Belgium is a public university whose fields include drug discovery and development and environmental sciences, offering a research-oriented alternative.
Universität Bayreuth in Germany is a public university known for polymer and materials science, together with ecology and environmental research.
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń in Poland is a public comprehensive university with physics and astronomy, chemistry and computer science as main fields.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
How did the University of Neuchâtel come into being?
It started in 1838 as the Academy of Neuchâtel and received the title of university in 1909. The change of name was made by a decision of the cantonal parliament, the Grand Council.
Which faculties does UniNE have today?
There are four: arts and human sciences, science, law and economics. A student chooses a degree within one of these faculties and can consult the programme pages for requirements.
What is the usual abbreviation of the university?
It is commonly called UniNE, short for Université de Neuchâtel. Its official pages give details of the four faculties and their degrees.
In which city is UniNE located?
It is in the city of Neuchâtel, in the canton of the same name in western Switzerland. Practical details on housing and student services are published on the university's website.
Who is linked to the early Academy?
The geologist Louis Agassiz is associated with the foundation period of the Academy of Neuchâtel.
How can I find tuition fees and admission rules?
Fees and entry requirements differ for each degree and for the student's origin. The admissions and registration pages of the university explain deadlines, language certificates and recognition of foreign diplomas.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Development
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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