In the end, training and experience in informatics, whether taught at the University or an EPF are equivalent. Courses at the EPF/ETH are devoted solely to informatics, while at the University of Fribourg you can combine informatics with another subject. The latter can be chosen from any of the five faculties. The EPF/ETH also offer the possibility of a taking courses outside of science, but the offer is limited and often these courses are only given for two hours per week.

A real advantage at the University, comes from the fact that the number of students attending a course is smaller than at an EPF/ETH. This favours a more personalized supervision where each student can easily meet and converse with teachers.

The University of Fribourg offers you the possibility of improving your skills in German and French due to the bilingual teaching.

Engineers at the HES/HF receive a training that is mainly technologically oriented. University informaticians are supposed to have a wider and more open experience of other disciplines (typically due to the minors chosen).There is also a major difference in the organization: classes in the HES/HF are limited to about twenty students. The students are highly supervised and the numbers of hours of mandatory presence is much higher. At the University work is more individual and requires more personal responsibility.

Finally, there is a difference in the way students are recruited. To enter the University you require an advanced general school leaving certificate (or a recognized foreign equivalent). Entry to a HES/HF requires defined professional qualifications (click here for more details).