Switzerland's capital is often overlooked, which is exactly its charm: an exquisitely preserved arcaded old town, a relaxed pace and the turquoise Aare river running right through it. It is smaller and cheaper than Zürich or Geneva, with a solid university and the Bernese Oberland's mountains on its doorstep. Life here is calm, green and genuinely liveable.

• A UNESCO-listed old town with six kilometres of covered arcades to shop and shelter under
• Quieter and more affordable than Zürich, with the Alps and Interlaken an hour away

The Länggasse district around the university is the student quarter, full of affordable eats and bars, while alternative Lorraine adds a bohemian edge. The defining summer ritual is floating down the Aare, drifting from the Marzili baths through the city, though the current is strong so locals know exactly where to climb out. Nightlife is low-key but friendly.

• Float the Aare in summer, getting out at the Marzili or Schwellenmätteli before the weir
• Hang out in Länggasse and Lorraine for student bars and cheap eats
• Ask the Bern Studcasa group where the international students meet up and swim in warmer months

Bern is expensive by any measure but a little kinder than Zürich or Geneva, with €1,500–2,300 a month a realistic budget including rent. Cooking at home and shopping at Migros and Aldi keeps food costs sane, and a Halbtax card halves your travel. Tap water and Aare swims are, at least, free.

• Budget roughly CHF 650–1,000 for a room, your biggest monthly cost
• Shop at Aldi, Lidl and Migros rather than eating out, which is very pricey
• Get a Halbtax card to halve train and public-transport fares nationwide

Shared flats (WGs) are the standard, concentrated in Länggasse near the university, Breitenrain and Lorraine. The market is competitive, so begin your search well before term and be ready to introduce yourself at flat-viewing evenings, which are common practice here.

• Search WGZimmer.ch, Students.ch and the university housing office for rooms
• Länggasse for proximity to campus, Breitenrain and Lorraine for character and value
• Post early in the Bern Studcasa group, as rooms move fast between semesters

Bernmobil's trams and buses are punctual and cover the compact city on the Libero tariff, and the old town is small enough to cross on foot in twenty minutes. Bern is famously bike-friendly, with free bike-hire schemes, and the central station links you to fast trains across the country.

• Use Bernmobil trams and buses on a Libero pass, or simply walk the compact centre
• Grab a free rental bike from the Bern rollt or PubliBike stands to get around
• Take advantage of the central station's fast rail links for day trips

The University of Bern is a broad, respected research university strong in medicine, climate science and law, joined by the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH). Teaching is mainly in German, though some Master's programmes run in English. Autumn term runs mid-September to December, spring February to June.

• The University of Bern is well regarded for medicine, climate research and law
• Most Bachelor's teaching is in German, so check the language of your specific courses

Switzerland is in Schengen but not the EU, so your process depends on nationality. EU/EFTA students do not need a visa; you enter freely and then register with your local commune (Gemeinde/commune) within 14 days of arrival to get a residence permit, showing enrolment, funds and insurance.

Non-EU students must apply for a national (D) long-stay visa at a Swiss embassy before travelling, then convert it to a residence permit at the local commune after arrival. You will need your acceptance letter, proof of sufficient funds, accommodation and health insurance. Processing can take eight to twelve weeks, so apply as early as possible. Everyone must sort mandatory Swiss health insurance or get an exemption using EHIC or equivalent cover.

• EU/EFTA: no visa; register with your local commune within 14 days
• Non-EU: apply for a national D visa at a Swiss embassy before arrival
• Bring acceptance letter, proof of funds, housing and insurance
• Sort health insurance early, it is mandatory or needs a formal exemption
• Start non-EU applications 3+ months ahead; processing is slow

Local specialities include the meaty Berner Platte and the onion tart eaten at November's Zibelemärit onion market, and yes, Toblerone was invented here. Beyond that you'll find Swiss classics like rösti and fondue, and a gentle café culture beneath the arcades. Sundays are quiet, with shops closed.

• Try a hearty Berner Platte, or an onion tart during the Zibelemärit market in November
• Wander the arcades and the bear park by the river, then climb to the Rosengarten for the view
• Do your shopping on Saturday, as Sundays shut the shops

The arcaded Altstadt is the historic, walkable heart. Länggasse is the lively student quarter by the university, Breitenrain (Breitsch) is a hip residential area north of the tracks, Lorraine is alternative and creative, and Kirchenfeld across the river is elegant and full of museums.

• Länggasse for student life next to the university
• Breitenrain for a trendy, residential feel with good cafés
• Altstadt if you want to live among the medieval arcades, though rooms are scarce

Bern's central position makes it a superb base. Interlaken and the Jungfrau peaks of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are around an hour by train, Lake Thun begins twenty minutes away, and the cheese-and-castle village of Gruyères is ninety minutes off. Lucerne, Fribourg and Zürich are all within an hour.

• Train to Interlaken in about an hour for the Jungfrau region's peaks and lakes
• Visit Gruyères for its castle and cheese dairy, or Thun on its lake
• Reach Lucerne, Fribourg or Zürich in around an hour for easy day trips

Learn where to exit the Aare before you jump in, as the current is deceptively fast, and only swim when you're a confident swimmer. Buy a Halbtax card straight away, cook at home to survive Swiss prices, and don't expect anything to be open on a Sunday. The Bernese German dialect is gentle but takes some getting used to.

• Only float the Aare if you can swim well, and learn the exit points beforehand
• Buy a Halbtax card on arrival and cook at home to keep costs down
• Stock up on Saturday, since shops close on Sundays