Topics relating to people and their institutions are at the centre of research and teaching at the University of Lucerne. With its focus on the human sciences, the University of Lucerne is unique in Switzerland.
Faculties, academies, centres
The University of Lucerne consists of six faculties (Theology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Economics and Management, Health Sciences and Medicine, and Behavioural Sciences and Psychology), a Graduate Academy and a Further Education Academy. Two university-wide research centres on "Digital Innovation" and "Health, Integration and Well-Being" are forthcoming.
The University of Lucerne traces its roots back to the 16th century, but it has only existed as a modern university since 2000. Today, Switzerland's youngest university has around 3,300 students and over 600 employees. Around 600 people are completing further education to receive certificate qualifications.
"Moving Human Sciences"
With its guiding principle, "Moving Human Sciences", the University of Lucerne demonstrates the power and potential of the human sciences. It also highlights a desire to promote human sciences as a discipline. The human being is the central focal point, not only due to the content-related orientation, but also in the sense of being a personal university in its daily interactions.
Mission statement
The personal university
Personal relationships and dialogue are important to us. We form a research, teaching, learning and working community shaped by respectful interactions, appropriate participation, transparent communication, attractive working conditions and mutual trust. Students receive high-quality teaching with a good supervisory relationship and fair performance assessments. All members of the university (researchers, lecturers, students, and technical and administrative staff) help to shape the university and take responsibility for its development.
1. A focus on people and community
Our research focuses on everything that has defined, defines and will define humans in their individual and social existence: how they believe and hope, think and talk, cooperate and govern, make decisions and take action, become and stay healthy, behave, and experience their world. As an academic institution, our fields of specialisation include: theology, cultural studies, social sciences, law, economics and management, health sciences, medicine and behavioural sciences and psychology.
2. Responsible action via internal and external partnerships
We take our responsibility very seriously and are committed to: transparency; effective cooperation; adherence to rules; provision of ideal infrastructure; efficient use of resources; provision of an ideal research, learning and working environment; and careful handling of resources. We ensure independence, neutrality and impartiality in research and teaching, and we are forward-looking, open to dialogue, and innovative. We set great store by diversity and actively promote equal opportunities and combat discrimination.
3. Committed to five activities
Our mission is to carry out scientific research and teaching with a focus on public policy, to promote the development of young talent and academic further education, and to provide services to the public. We strive for excellence in research and teaching. Our research is scientifically sound, solution-oriented, interdisciplinary and innovative. We offer our students targeted support by providing training and skills for the current and future working world.
4. Rooted in Lucerne – connected to the world
We have regional, national and international networks in academia, education, culture, business, politics and society. We are rooted in central Switzerland, the canton of Lucerne and the cultural city of Lucerne, as well as having links outside of the German-speaking region with the national and international research and teaching community. We also cultivate a global academic network with respected partner institutions.
5. Future-oriented and relevant to society
Our work seeks to help expand knowledge and understanding, develop society as a whole, and improve quality of life. The main pillars of this are scientific professionalism and the social relevance of research topics. We use the potential of digitalisation to enhance the quality and efficiency of research, teaching and administration.
6. Self-critical and open to improvement
We regularly review whether we are achieving the goals we have set ourselves.
(approved by the University Council on 27 June 2018, mention of behavioural sciences and psychology added in January 2023)
