Fribourg University

University of Fribourg

Université de Fribourg Universität Freiburg
Latin: Universitas Friburgensis
Motto	Scientia et Sapientia ("Knowledge and Wisdom")
Type	Public
Established	1582/1763, 1889
Rector	Prof. Astrid Epiney
Administrative staff	academic 1'150, admin 750
Students	10,000
Location	Fribourg, Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland 46°48′23″N 7°09′06″E / 46.80625°N 7.15174°E / 46.80625; 7.15174Coordinates: 46°48′23″N 7°09′06″E / 46.80625°N 7.15174°E / 46.80625; 7.15174
Affiliations	BeNeFri; Compostela Group of Universities
Website	www.unifr.ch

The University of Fribourg (French: Université de Fribourg; German: Universität Freiburg) is a university in the city of Fribourg, Switzerland.

The roots of the university can be traced back to 1580, when the notable Jesuit Peter Canisius founded the Collège Saint-Michel in the City of Fribourg. In 1763, an Academy of law was founded by the state of Fribourg which formed the nucleus of the present Law Faculty. The University of Fribourg was finally created in 1889 by an Act of the parliament of the Swiss Canton of Fribourg.

The University of Fribourg is Switzerland’s only bilingual university and offers full curricula in both French and German, two of Switzerland's national languages. Students number about 10,000; there are about 200 tenured professors and 700 other academic teaching and research personnel. The Misericorde Campus, constructed between 1939–42, was designed by the architects Honegger and Dumas, students of Swiss architect Le Corbusier.

There are five faculties: Catholic theology, law, natural sciences, humanities, and economics and social sciences.

The university owes its earliest origin to the foundation of the Jesuit on Belze Hill by Peter Canisius in 1580 at the invitation of the government of Fribourg. In 1763, an Academy of Law was founded, housed in the Albertinium (now a Dominican residence). In 1834, the cantonal library was formed from works brought to Fribourg (from Catholic monasteries) for safekeeping. The College St. Michel was closed following the expulsion of the Jesuits from Fribourg after the canton's defeat in the Sonderbund war.