Partner University Information Sheet KPU

University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern

Location: , Brugg/, Muttenz, and Olten Number of Campuses: The Schools are concentrated in four campuses, located in Basel, Brugg/Windisch, Muttenz and Olten.

Number of Students: 9,500

Number of Faculty departments: Nine fields of education,

FHNW School of Applied Psychology FHNW School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics (only in German) FHNW Academy of Art and Design (only in German) FHNW School of Business FHNW School of Education FHNW School of Engineering FHNW School of Life Sciences FHNW Academy of (only in German) FHNW School of Social Work

Institution Information The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW is a state- accredited university of applied sciences: this unique concept in Swiss tertiary education is designed to meet professional needs in education, research and consulting. Updated February.2014 *This is not a legal document. Although we strive to keep these information sheets as up to date as possible, information may be changed since our last update

Exchange Website: http://www.fhnw.ch/information-on-the-studies/exchange Institution Website: http://www.fhnw.ch/homepage Semester Dates Semester 1 Mid September to Mid February Orientation: September Semester 2 Mid February to Mid July Orientation: February

Class Information

Language of instruction: The majority of courses are taught in German: an increasing number of programs however are offered partially or entirely in English. Please consult the individual sites.

Class level and Credit system: (You are expected to visit an academic advisor prior to your exchange to determine what courses you have left to complete your program. Academic Advisors cannot tell you how the courses from exchange will transfer but you can use the information about your degree requirements to guide your decisions. After being accepted for an exchange, you will work with the exchange coordinator to determine your course availability.) See attached credit transfer guide.

Intensive Language Classes Available: The FHNW does not offer language courses for students. Students enrolled at the FHNW can avail themselves of the low-cost language courses available from the University of Basel's Sprachzentrum language centre. Numerous other language schools also offer courses.

For Information on all Courses offered see website: http://www.fhnw.ch/information-on-the-studies/exchange

Updated February.2014 *This is not a legal document. Although we strive to keep these information sheets as up to date as possible, information may be changed since our last update

Student Information

Information about health insurance: Students are strongly advised to take out their own insurance policies to cover health, accident and personal liability in Switzerland, or check that their current policies are valid for Switzerland. Swiss law requires that everyone staying in Switzerland for three months or more has medical insurance. There are bilateral agreements with European Union countries: students should ensure that they have an E128 card before they leave home. Students from outside the EU or EFTA countries and who do not have proof of international medical coverage will have to obtain medical insurance in Switzerland. You will have to provide the community office with a copy when you register upon arrival. Ensure you keep a copy for yourself should you require medical treatment.

Visa Information: Non-EU citizens should contact the Swiss Embassy or Consulate about whether entry permits and visas are required. Generally, your stay in Switzerland will be permitted on the basis of a student visa.

Can students work while on exchange to University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern Switzerland?: Foreign nationals require separate permission to work alongside their studies. If approval is forthcoming, it is generally for no more than 15 hours a week. The approval process differs from canton to canton depending on the applicant's nationality. Details are available from the relevant cantonal immigration and labour market authorities.

Accommodation Information The Franziskushaus near Olten provides furnished rooms for foreign students on a rental basis. The FHNW is unable to offer student lodgings at its other campuses. FHNW students in Basel can avail themselves of WoVe, the student accommodation service run by the University of Base

For information on dorm locations please check the website: http://www.fhnw.ch/staying-in-switzerland/accommodation

Updated February.2014 *This is not a legal document. Although we strive to keep these information sheets as up to date as possible, information may be changed since our last update

City Information

Switzerland is one of Europe’s smallest countries, with the Alps at its core. Surrounded by other great continental cultures (, , and Italy), its central position and control of the Alpine passes have made Switzerland a classic transit region. It is a small but diverse country where you will find high-tech precision industrial leaders next to rustic farmers, modern architecture next to Roman amphitheaters and medieval buildings, and international lifestyle cities next to quiet forests, hills and mountains. Switzerland has eight million inhabitants and manages to nurture four official languages. The majority of the population speaks German, followed by French, Italian, and Romansh, an ancient derivate of . Switzerland is peaceful and orderly: trains run on time, the locals tend to be reticent but friendly, and schools provide quality education. Check website for more specific city information: http://www.fhnw.ch/staying-in-switzerland/about-switzerland/basel

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF), Larger shops and organizations may also accept euros (€, EUR).

Weather: With no excessive heat, cold or humidity, and varies according to region. In the north, the climate is moderate, with cold winters and warm summers; temperatures drop in the mountainous east; the west has a mild climate; while in the south it's so warm that palm trees line the shore of Lake Lugano! As a guide, expect daytime temperatures from 18–28°C (65–85°F) during July and August, in January and February -2–7°C (28-45°F) and in spring and autumn/fall 8–15°C (46–59°F).

Time zone: Central European

Cultural Facts: The federal states of the Swiss confederation. They vary greatly in size, population and character: the canton of Geneva comprises just one city; the canton of Uri is entirely mountains and valleys; the population of the Zurich canton is over a million while the people of Appenzell Inner- Rhodes would fit into a football stadium. Switzerland has one of the lowest crime rates of all industrialized countries, despite having liberal gun laws (2.3–4.5 million guns in a population of 8 million). In 2010, there were only 0.5 gun murders per 100,000 people compared to 5 per 100,000 in the US. Updated February.2014 *This is not a legal document. Although we strive to keep these information sheets as up to date as possible, information may be changed since our last update

Cultural Facts Continued… Foreigners account for around 23 percent of the population. There are large differences between men and women in the labor market. As at 2013, 85 percent of men and only 41 percent of women work full-time.

Tourist Information: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ca/home.html

Contact Information

Name of office for exchange KPU Office of International Students and Scholars programs Address Surrey Cedar Building 1145 Richmond Room 140 Email [email protected] Phone 604.599.2566 Office website https://www.kpu.ca/international

Updated February.2014 *This is not a legal document. Although we strive to keep these information sheets as up to date as possible, information may be changed since our last update

University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern Switzerland

Course Equivalencies Chart

*Please note that this should be used for reference only. Actual transfer credit will be determined through the student’s letter of permission. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that courses are applicable to their degree.*

University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern Switzerland Course (Credit Value) KPU Equivalent (Credit Value)

Business Information Systems CBSY 1XXX (1.5) German 1 (3) GERM 1XXX (1.5) Human Resource Management (4) BUSI 1XXX (2) Intro to Intercultural Communication 2 (3) CMNS 1XXX (1.5) Marketing II (2) MRKT 1XXX (1) Microeconomics 2 (3) ECON 1XXX (1.5) Presenting (1) CMNS 1XXX (.5) Public Relations and the Media (2) SOBU 1XXX (1) Statistics 1 (3) BUQU 1XXX (1.5) Swissness in Action Field School (6) SOBU 2XXX (3)

Updated February.2014 *This is not a legal document. Although we strive to keep these information sheets as up to date as possible, information may be changed since our last update