University of Geneva

The University of Geneva is a public institution in Geneva that operates nine faculties distributed across several buildings throughout the city. The organization includes separate institutes for natural sciences, medicine, humanities, and law, each maintaining its own research facilities.

John Calvin founded a theological seminary in 1559 that gave rise to this institution. During the Enlightenment in the 17th century, the seminary transformed into a secular university.

The institution bears the name of a reformer and today uses French as its main language for teaching and research. Students from around the world meet in lecture halls and libraries, giving the campus an international character.

The buildings are located at different sites throughout Geneva, so visitors should check the exact address beforehand. Public transport connects the locations and makes reaching individual faculties easier.

The libraries hold rare manuscripts and historical documents spanning several centuries of European intellectual history. Some of these collections date back to the Reformation period and are available to researchers.

Location: Geneva

Location: Canton of Geneva

Inception: 1559

Founders: John Calvin

Elevation above the sea: 386 m

Address: Rue de Candolle 5

Website: https://unige.ch/en

GPS coordinates: 46.19899,6.14446

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:11