Hochschule Luzern (HSLU) | |
 | |
| Type | Public university |
|---|---|
| Established | 1997; 29 years ago (1997) |
| Rector | Barbara Bader |
Academic staff | 2,120(2024).[1] |
| Students | 8,280(2024).[1] |
| Location | ,, 47°00′50″N8°18′22″E / 47.014°N 8.306°E /47.014; 8.306 |
| Campus | Lucerne,Horw,Emmenbrücke,Rotkreuz |
| Nickname | HSLU |
| Affiliations | Swissuniversities |
| Website | http://www.hslu.ch/ |
TheLucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (German:Hochschule Luzern) (HSLU) is apublic university ofapplied sciences funded by the sixcantons ofCentral Switzerland. Founded in 1997[2] as the University of Applied Sciences Central Switzerland (German: Fachhochschule Zentralschweiz), it is the largest educational institution in the region.[3] It fulfils the mandate assigned by the contributing cantons in the areas of education, continuing and executive education, research, and services. As a university of applied sciences, it is practice-oriented and generally open to candidates with a vocational, specialized or academic baccalaureate (the latter in combination with relevant professional experience.[4]
In 2024, 8,280 students were enrolled in bachelor's or master's degree programmes and 12,411 participants attended continuing and executive education programmes (MAS, DAS, CAS, SAS) at the HSLU.[1] Barbara Bader has served as President since 1 December 2022.[5]
The HSLU has campuses inLucerne,Horw,Emmenbrücke[6] andRotkreuz.[7] It previously also maintained a small campus for Financial Services inZug, which have since moved to the Rotkreuz campus.[8]
The university was founded in 1997 as the University of Applied Sciences Central Switzerland (Fachhochschule Zentralschweiz, FHZ), based on the Federal Act on Universities of Applied Sciences and funded by the six contributing Central Swiss cantons ofLucerne,Uri,Schwyz,Obwalden,Nidwalden andZug.[9]
In its founding year, 293 students were enrolled across the initial fields of study of engineering and architecture, and business. Design, film and art, social work and music were added later.[9]
Since 15 October 2007, the constituent Schools of the former University of Applied Sciences Central Switzerland have also been using the shared nameLucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Hochschule Luzern).[10] Initially, the Schools of Engineering and Architecture, Business, and Design, Film and Art were funded by the Canton of Lucerne, whereas the Schools of Music and Social Work were financed by foundations. With the adoption of a new universities of applied sciences agreement on 1 January 2013, responsibility for all Schools was transferred to the contributing cantons.[11]
The School of Computer Science and Information Technology was established in 2016.[12]
In the 2018 autumn semester, the HSLU announced its bachelor’s programme inyodeling. This drew extensive press coverage because the German termJodeldiplom, which was coined in a 1970s TV comedy sketch[13] and culturally stands for a useless or vanity degree.[14][15]
The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts consists of six Schools. The University offersEnglish andGerman-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes as well as continuing and executive education programmes in subjects ranging fromDesign toMusic,Fine Arts,Animation 2D/3D, Object Design, Banking and Finance, International Management and Economics, and Sustainable Energy Systems.[16][17][18]
The School of Engineering and Architecture is based inHorw near Lucerne and offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Civil Engineering, Building Services Engineering and Energy, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Energy Systems, Innovation and Technology Management, Medical Engineering, and Applied Sciences and Humanities. It conducts applied research and development across multiple institutes and cooperates with industry and business partners.[19]
Manfred Huber has served asDean since 1 August 2025.[20]
The School offers eleven bachelor's degree programmes in Engineering, Architecture and Construction:
The School also offers three masters' degree programmes: Engineering, Architecture, and Integrated Spatial Development.[21]
The School of Computer Science and Technology, located inRotkreuz in the Canton of Zug, was established in 2016.[22] It was formed through the merger of the Computer Science unit of the School of Engineering and Architecture with the Business Information Technology unit of the School of Business.[23] Key topics include data science,AI, blockchain, immersive realities, software engineering, security, and digital business.[24]
Sarah Hauser has served as Dean since 1 September 2025.[22]
The Lucerne School of Computer Science and Transformation Technology offers eight bachelor's degree programmes:
The School also offers the following master’s degree programmes:
The School of Business, located in Lucerne and Zug, offers degree programmes and continuing education across business and management disciplines, including Banking and Finance, Communication and Marketing, Management, Regional Economics, and Tourism and Mobility.[25]
Christine Böckelmann serves as Dean. The School obtainedAACSB accreditation in 2021.[26]
The Lucerne School of Business offers six bachelor’s programmes:
In addition, six Master of Science programmes with various specialisations (majors) are offered:
The School of Social Work offers degree programmes in Social Work, Social Pedagogy and related social professions.[27]
The earliest precursor institution of today’s School of Social Work was theSwiss Social-Charitable Women’s School (Schweizerische Sozial-Caritative Frauenschule), established in Lucerne in 1918. In 1943, it was officially recognised by the canton, and in 1952 it was renamedSoziale Frauenschule Luzern (SFL). It was again renamed in 1960, when it became theSchool of Social Work Lucerne (Schule für Sozialarbeit Luzern), at which time men were admitted for the first time. In 1990 it was renamedHigher Technical School of Social Work (Höhere Fachschule für Sozialarbeit, HFS).[28]
In 1995 the HFS merged with theEvening School of Social Work (Abendschule für Soziale Arbeit, ASL) and theHigher Technical School of Sociocultural Animation (Höhere Fachschule für Soziokulturelle Animation, HFA). In 1999, the institution was integrated into the then University of Applied Sciences Central Switzerland (Fachhochschule Zentralschweiz), and in 2007 it became one of the HSLU’s Schools.[28]
Dorothee Guggisberg serves as Dean of the Lucerne School of Social Work. With 135 members of staff, 870 students in degree programmes and around 1,900 participants in continuing education (as of 2025), it is one of the larger schools of social work in Switzerland.[29]
The following bachelor’s degree programmes are available:
The School also offers a master’s degree programme in Social Work, as well as a range of continuing education programmes (Master of Advanced Studies MAS, Diploma of Advanced Studies DAS, Certificate of Advanced Studies CAS, specialised courses and seminars) in areas including:
In addition, the School offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in Nursing.[27]
Contributions to the theory and practice of social work are published by the School’s owninteract imprint.[30]
The School of Design, Film and Art (until 2023: Design and Art) teaches creative and artistic subjects and offers degree programmes in disciplines including design, art, film and animation.[31] Founded in 1877,[9] it is the oldest art school in Switzerland. The Nidwalden painterJohann Melchior Wyrsch proposed the establishment of a drawing school to the Lucerne council in 1783 and began teaching in 1784. One of his successors, drawing teacher Seraphin Weingartner, developed a new school concept and in 1877 transformed the drawing school into the School of Applied Arts Lucerne (Kunstgewerbeschule Luzern). In its founding year, training programmes were offered mainly for professions such as carpentry, woodturning, wagon building, metalworking and stonemasonry.[32]
Influenced byBauhaus teaching methods, the profile of the Swiss schools of applied arts changed afterWorld War II. Courses in visual communication, fine arts and aesthetic education were introduced to the detriment of programmes more focused on vocational training.[32]
From 1972, the institution was called theSchool of Design (Schule für Gestaltung). From 1984, it offered tertiary-level programmes as theHigher Technical School of Design (Höhere Fachschule für Gestaltung, HFG).[33] The first diploma at this level was awarded in Lucerne in 1988. In 1995 the School obtained university of applied sciences status as theUniversity of Design and Art (Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst) and has been part of the HSLU since 2007.[33]
Jacqueline Holzer has served as Dean since 1 March 2022.[34]
Three bachelor’s degree programmes:
Seven master’s degree programmes in three areas:
The School of Music offers degree programmes in music and music education. Covering classical and applied subjects alike, it prepares students for professional activities in music or music teaching.[35] The School was established in 1999[36] under the nameLucerne School of Music (Musikhochschule Luzern) through the merger of the Conservatory (founded in 1942), the Academy of School and Church Music (Akademie für Schul- und Kirchenmusik, founded in 1942) and the Jazz School Lucerne (Jazz Schule Luzern, founded in 1972).[37]
Since September 2019, the President of the Lucerne School of Music has been Valentin Gloor. He succeeded Michael Kaufmann.[38]
In 2020 the School brought together its previously four locations under one roof. The new building is located on the Südpol Campus (Campus Südpol) in Kriens. Its cultural activities include collaborations with institutions such as the Lucerne Festival Academy, the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra (LSO) (Luzerner Sinfonieorchester) and the Lucerne Theatre.[39]
The following four bachelor’s programmes are available:
Two master’s programmes are available:
The HSLU is active in research and development, carrying out interdisciplinary projects and maintaining collaboration with local and international companies, public institutions and other partners from business, society and culture. Thematic priorities include energy and sustainability,[40][41] digitalisation, artificial intelligence, health,[42] social innovation,[43] design and blockchain technology.[44]
The projects are funded through public subsidies from bodies such asInnosuisse and theSwiss National Science Foundation, federal funds and third-party contributions from business partners, foundations and international programmes. The Standing Committee for Research and Development is responsible for overall coordination.[1][9]
The HSLU Foundation was established in 2016 as a legally independent foundation with the aim of supporting the HSLU.[45] It provides financial support for research, scholarships and other projects outside the regular budget.[46] It also acts as an intermediary between donors and projects. One example of the foundation's commitment is its ‘Giving Week’, during which donations are collected for students in financial need. In 2023, the foundation collected around CHF 26,000, which was then doubled by Zuger Kantonalbank.[47]
On 1 April 2026, Ivan Buck will take over as Managing Director of the HSLU Foundation.[48]
HSLU Alumni is the organisation for graduates of the HSLU. Its purpose is to connect former students and maintain contact with the university after graduation. In addition to providing networking opportunities, HSLU Alumni also offers discounts for its members and organises events such as workshops.[49]
Originally, each of the HSLU’s School had its own alumni association. In 2012, the four associationsAbsolventen Fachhochschule Zentralschweiz Technik & Architektur,Alumni Hochschule Luzern Wirtschaft,AlumniHSA andF&FHGK Luzern merged to form a single alumni organisation. It is the largest alumni association in Switzerland.[50]
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