Student Life

We are the official representatives of all students in the Department of English, here to support you with any questions or concerns related to your studies. We maintain regular contact with academic and administrative staff, other university departments, and the SUB, ensuring your voice is heard.

We organise events throughout the semester, such as end-of-term parties, academic workshops, book fairs, or an annual general assembly. In addition, we offer “Bear Support,” a monthly in-person peer support service, to assist with any study-related matters. We also maintain the Tea Corner, a communal space where both students and staff can relax and connect.

For updates on events and announcements, check the notice boards or follow us on social media (details below). If you're interested in getting more involved with the department, you can join the Students’ Committee – your participation will be recognized by the university.

Feel free to reach out to us anytime by email at fsanglistik@sub.unibe.ch, on social media, or just stop by and say hello in person. We're always happy to welcome new members!

WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/2DACLqS (info group)

Instagram: eng_sc_unibe (https://www.instagram.com/eng_sc_unibe?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== )

Are you a student at the Department of English at the University of Bern? Do you have a project idea for a play, poetry slam, reading, photo exhibition, or any other kind of project related to the arts? Are you looking for financial and/or advisory support?

If you can answer the above questions with 'check, check and check!', then visit the Arts Council's website.

On a fairly regular basis, a small number of BA and MA students are offered part-time appointments in the department working as student assistants (for a professor) or tutors (for an instructor). These positions are usually filled by people who have made a positive impression through their exceptional participation in class or through a professional work ethic in their thesis projects. The positions are rarely advertised formally and hiring is done at the discretion of the individual professor or instructor.

If you think you might be interested in becoming a student assistant or a tutor, we recommend that you indicate your interest to your professors or instructors.

The CGS is an institutional sponsor of the IWL (Institute for World Literature). The IWL is a 4-week summer school that takes place alternatingly in Harvard and different universities across the globe, devoted to exploring the study of literature in a globalizing world.

Our institutional membership enables two (sometimes more) of our students to take part in the IWL for only half the fees (USD 900 instead of 1.800). We will try to provide the other half with funds from the CGS. The deadline for application is 1 February for the upcoming IWL, which usually takes place between the end of June and the end of July. It offers a unique possibility not only to meet renowned faculty, but also for academic networking. After returning, the participants are asked to provide a short report of their experiences.  The 2016 IWL will take place in Harvard again.

For further information on the IWL, such as future venues and application procedure, please consult its webpage. If you would like to apply for further IWL Summer schools, please get in touch with Prof. Thomas Claviez, who is responsible for the cooperation with the IWL.