History
Chartered in 1969, Franklin was born out of the former Fleming College and founded as a non-profit, post-secondary institution under the name of Franklin College. When the Swiss University Conference accredited Franklin in 2005, its name was changed to Franklin University Switzerland. Franklin has always stressed the importance of international studies as the basis for a strong, global education.
Education
Regardless of the program, your education at Franklin will be rigorous, academic and professional, with a focus on cross-cultural study and learning through direct experience. Our curriculum encourages multi-disciplinary study, and our Academic Travel program, included in tuition, provides an off-campus study opportunity for two weeks every semester.
Career
The Career Services Office offers programs, resources, strategies and services to help Franklin students prepare for life after university. In collaboration with the Writing and Learning Center and the Parent and Alumni Relations team, Career Services aims to walk students through all stages of the career exploration and planning process including, but not limited to:
- Career Coaching
- Resume/CV refinement
- Interview skills
- Job and internship search skills
- Graduate school
- Specialized assistance
- Networking
Distance Learning Courses
Student services
Orientation Mentors (OMs) are Franklin students who are specially selected to lead the new student orientation in the Fall and Spring semesters. They play vital roles in supporting students, specifically new students’ transition to life in Lugano and at Franklin University Switzerland. During orientation, the Orientation Mentors lead students on orientation activities, which include tours of Lugano, campus, and getting to know you games and activities.
Housing services
Living in the residences on Franklin University Switzerland’s campus is an important part of the educational experience. It is a great opportunity to make your first friends on campus and adjust to living alone. Most of the rooms have kitchenettes or a common kitchen shared among all residents of the resident hall. They all have bathrooms; so you’ll have your privacy and will be able to take responsibility for you own living space.
There are seven residence halls at Franklin, and each one has a trained Resident Assistant. The RA is your go-to person for questions or problems. They are equipped with first-aid kits, toolboxes, and are trained to handle any and all situations that students might face.
Library services
ICT services
The IT Services Office provides computing and networking support for both campuses and all residences. All of your computers and other networked devices will have reliable access toto either the wired or wireless network in all university locations. Wi-Fi hotspots, the computer lab, libraries, electronic classrooms, and other study areas allow the use of suitable applications and workstations.
Medical services
Franklin values a holistic student experience both in and out of the classroom. Health and well-being are important aspects of living at Franklin. To ensure a positive student life experience, the University offers on-campus health services as well as access to off-campus services in Lugano, by also assisting with arranging mandatory Swiss health insurance for all enrolled students.
Campus life
Franklin University Switzerland is a twenty-minute walk from the heart of Lugano, where rail and airlines connect to all of Europe! Surrounded by mountains and situated on its namesake lake, one of the spectacular lakes linking Switzerland and Italy, Lugano is the ideal home base for the Franklin experience: a jumping-off point for an immersive exploration of the world and its people. The city is the cultural, recreational, financial and commercial hub of Switzerland’s southernmost, Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, the ideal melting pot of European culture combined with the traits of a small town. It is fun, sophisticated and safe, with dozens of outdoor activities around Lake Lugano.
Sports facilities
The Recreational Sports office located in the Office of Student Life at Franklin University Switzerland aims to provide experiences that enrich the lives of the FUS community at large, advance student success, develop leaders and encourage lifelong wellness.
The office is committed to promoting physical fitness within the University and organizes activities and sports for students, faculty, and staff.
Regular intramural sports such as basketball, volleyball, futsal, and dodgeball are among the various recreational activities offered throughout the academic year.
Student clubs
Franklin has something for everyone! Whether you like acting, skiing or discussing current political issues, you can find your niche at Franklin in at least one of the 22 clubs here on campus. If you prefer planning student events, allocating funds to clubs and discussing student issues, then you might want to check out the Franklin Student Government Association.
Franklin University Switzerland is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and in Switzerland by the Swiss Accreditation Council.