University of Teacher
Education NMS Bern

The University of Teacher Education PH NMS Bern is a teacher-education institute in Bern, Switzerland. It is an autonomous division of NMS Bern, a private educational institution founded in 1851.

The NMS Bern comprises several departments: Kindergarten (ages 5–6), Primary School (ages 7–12), Lower Secondary (ages 13–15), two Upper Secondary (ages 15–18) leading to a university entrance qualification, plus the University of Teacher Education, which conducts academic, educational research, and development, as well as continuing professional education, with the aim of training and qualifying teachers for primary school level.

After three years of study, graduates receive a ‘Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education NMS Bern’ in combination with a state diploma enabling them to teach from kindergarten (pre-school) to the end of primary school (6th grade) across Switzerland. 

The program covers all subjects of compulsory education, along with educational and social sciences. It emphasizes a close integration of theory and practice to develop a professional stance that is both theoretically grounded and informed by practical experience, including internships in kindergartens and primary schools from the first semester onward.

With roughly 250 students, it is NMS Bern’s largest department. State funding covers about CHF 24’000 per student per year. Enrolled students pay an annual fee of around CHF 1’700, similar to the fee charged by public universities in Switzerland.

For more information please contact info@phnmsbern.ch.