Basel University
Basel University, which was founded in 1460, is the oldest in Switzerland. Today it has about 11'000 students in six faculties: science, humanities, medicine, economics, law and theology. The main focuses are life sciences and cultural studies. As a modern public institution, the university has enjoyed autonomy since 1996 – within the framework of its public service mandate – in the fields of teaching, research and related services. The foundation ‘Mensch-Gesellschaft-Umwelt’ (Individual-Society-Environment) has made a name for itself with interdisciplinary studies. Foreign students have to pass a German language test prior to matriculation.
International University Association
Since 1989, the University of Basel has been part of the University Association EUCOR, comprising the six universities along the Upper Rhine at Freiburg i. Br., Karlsruhe, Mulhouse, Strasbourg, Colmar and Basel. This enables students to move freely between the different universities. It has also made possible joint courses, the reciprocal recognition of credits and certificates, the exchange of lecturers, and shared research programmes.
Center for Biosystems
In Autumn 2005, the Center for Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich (C-BSSE) was opened in Basel. The scientific concept for the Center aims at advancing a new understanding of complex biological systems, combining research methods of biology, physics, mathematics, information, bio and nano technology, and chemistry. The C-BSSE in Basel is part of Project SystemsX, which is a national network for the future field of systems biology supported by ETH Zurich and the Universities of Zurich and Basel.
University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland
The "Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz", FHNW (University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland) with departments in Basel, Muttenz, Olten, Aarau, Solothurn and Brugg, sees itself as a research partner for private industry in a wide variety of fields. Its 18 departments teach, among others, business studies, teaching, mechanical engineering, chemistry, IT and electrical engineering. The renowned Basel "Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst", HKG (College of Art and Design) and the “Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit” (College of Social Work) are also part of the larger University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland.
