The Faculty of Arts offers a wide range of disciplines, ranging from historical studies to theoretical approaches in the humanities, including the study of ancient and modern, national and international languages. Its courses cover currents of thought and the full range of cultural output, from literature and discourse in all their variety to the traces of ancient civilisations, film, photography, music, cartoons, video games and more.
With over 20 disciplines on offer in the Faculty (and therefore thousands of possible combinations), a study of the arts provides meaningful engagement with both the intellectual richness of the past and contemporary social realities. Students can also enhance their learning with disciplines offered by partner faculties, both at UNIL and in other universities in French-speaking Switzerland.
This multidisciplinary approach allows students to develop numerous skills, from the ability to analyse and summarise, to a critical mindset, a rigorous approach to interpretation, independence, organisation, argumentation, excellent oral and written communication, and the ability to convey complex knowledge.
Choice of disciplines
In the first year of the course you choose, from those available on the Faculty’s programme, three disciplines that will constitute the focus of your studies. One of the three disciplines may be chosen outside the Faculty, either in another Faculty within UNIL or in another university, on the basis of a predefinite list. These are referred to as “external disciplines”.
In the second part of the course, you continue your studies in two of your three disciplines. A further 20 ECTS credits are added to these two disciplines for an Options Programme. The latter may be used to acquire more credits in the third discipline (for example with a view to secondary I teaching), to complement one of the other disciplines, or to explore other fields of study.
Disciplines taught in the Faculty of Arts
Ancient Greek
Ancient History
Archaeology
English
French as a Foreign Language (French for non-French speakers)
German
History
History and Aesthetics of Film
History of Art
History of Religions
Computer Science for the Humanities
Italian
Latin
Linguistics
Medieval French
Modern French
Philosophy
Spanish
Slavic Studies
South Asian Languages and Cultures
External disciplines in other UNIL Faculties
Geography (Geosciences and Environment)
Psychology (Social and Political Sciences)
Political Science (Social and Political Sciences)
Social Sciences (Social and Political Sciences)
Theological Studies (Theology and the Study of Religions)
External disciplines at other universities
Arabic language, Literature and Civilisation (UNIGE)
Armenian Language and Literature (UNIGE)
Chinese Studies (UNIGE)
Egyptology and Coptic (UNIGE)
Ethnology (UNINE)
Japanese Studies (UNIGE)
Mesopotamian Studies (UNIGE)
Modern Greek Language, Literature and Civilisation (UNIGE)
Musicology (UNIFR or UNIGE)
Prehistoric Archaeology and Ancient Mediterranean Archeology (UNINE)
The multidisciplinary teaching, breadth of fields of study and variety of methodological approaches found in the Faculty of Arts offers you the opportunity to acquire numerous skills that are valued in the world of work.
By constantly appealing to your intellectual curiosity, a study of the arts encourages you not only to reflect coherently and in a structured way on the phenomena presented to you, but also to hone your critical thinking skills and your ability to analyse and summarise by focusing on researching pertinent information and reformulating it for a range of audiences. As a result, you will acquire solid drafting skills and the ability to construct an argument, as well as learning to communicate easily, both orally and in writing.
The wide range of course options available in the Faculty of Arts means you have to make numerous decisions and strengthen your sense of responsibility. You will develop strong, independent organisational skills and know how to adapt to a range of work contexts by handling several projects at the same time, demonstrating planning skills, flexibility and versatility.
Numerous career options are open to you thanks to the skills acquired during your studies. These depend partly on the choice of Master’s course.
Areas of activity
Communication: journalism, audiovisual communications, public relations, translation and interpreting
Arts: publishing, theatre, music, cinema: for example, management or promotion of a cultural institution, festival organisation or management of a collection of works
Documentation and conservation: libraries, private and public archives, documentation centres or museums: for example, managing documents and highlighting their value, setting up exhibitions and designing educational materials or guided tours
Teaching: public secondary schools, private schools and universities
Research: research assistant, Swiss National Science Foundation, research centres (often for a limited period)
Management and administration: municipal, cantonal and federal public services and businesses (especially in the tertiary sector)
If you are planning a teaching career in the public sector, you will need additional training from an Haute école pédagogique (teacher training college – HEP), either after your Bachelor of Arts course (for lower secondary teaching) or a Master of Arts (for upper secondary teaching).
Every two years, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (OFS) conducts a survey on graduate employment, one year after students have completed their course. View the results for Arts graduates online:
Results of the survey for UNIL graduates specifically
Hugo Carrard
Student, Bachelor of Arts (modern French and history)
How did you choose your studies?
"Finding myself in a stimulating environment where common interests and lively discussions converge has really fascinated me. There's a sense of intellectual competition and freedom that I find very appealing! Studying at university requires more work than at secondary school, but the depth of knowledge it offers makes it more exciting."
I started to develop an interest in the humanities during French classes at grammar school, and decided to go down that route because it offered a versatile and attractive curriculum. In a way, I've always dreamed of being at university; being in a stimulating environment where common interests and lively discussions converge has really fascinated me. There's an intellectual emulation and freedom that I find very appealing! Studying at university requires more work than at secondary school, but the depth of study that it offers makes it more exciting. However, I was able to extend my Bachelor's degree by a year, to lighten my semesters and work on the side for greater independence, a freedom that the Faculty of Arts offers.
It's important to know how to manage your time at university. If you do it well, it's quite possible to take time off. I do a lot of music and was afraid I'd have to stop when I got here, but the reality is quite different. Some structures even allow you to make music on campus! I've also been able to continue playing sport, work in a museum and join various student associations. So the university timetable is not a negation of private life, because studying literature can be adapted to suit individual priorities. Nonetheless, these studies have a wealth of resources, so you can devote yourself entirely to them and fulfil yourself through research.
In the end, each student will have a fairly unique Bachelor's degree, since many combinations of disciplines are permitted. There is therefore little sense of competition; each student will pursue a relatively unique course of study depending on his or her choices. Collaboration within the Faculty is easy and interdisciplinary. I have friends who are not at all in the same section as me, which allows knowledge to be transferred, because our discussions can always come together. There's also a lot of mutual support and teamwork. Sometimes we have to do group work, and even when we don't, working together is really useful for certain courses. University really is a place for sharing and meeting people!
These are studies that require personal investment, and they are much more enjoyable if you are actively involved. Since it's a very versatile Bachelor's degree, it's important to plan ahead so as not to get lost, while remaining open to discovery. I think it's quite normal not to necessarily know exactly what profession you want to pursue, because there are so many specialisations. However, these studies are not without professional outlets. Doors are always open, allowing you to make specific training choices along the way, for example in teaching, communication or culture. Finally, the reality of these studies is far from abstract clichés. Instead, it reflects a concrete reality rooted in science and research, offering solid and useful foundations that are then put to practical use.
Exchanges and mobility
Going on a university exchange is a unique and highly rewarding experience, provided you prepare well. The first thing to remember is that you need to start taking steps well in advance. For example, if you're planning to go away in your 3rd year of a bachelor's degree, you should start taking steps at the beginning of your 2nd year at the latest.
