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University of Bern : Fees, Rankings, Courses, Reviews
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Last updated on 8 Oct '25University of BernWhat's new?
- The University of Bern admissions are now open for Spring 2026 entry, the deadline for the same is: Dec 15, 2025
About University of Bern
Located in Bern, Switzerland, the University of Bern, is a public university, that officially came into existence in the year 1834. It has now grown into a fully-fledged institution with its faculities institutes spread across the city, with a key presence in Länggasse district.
Students can choose from 39 UG courses, 74 PG courses & 29 Doctoral courses that are available to be pursued across a number of prominent industry relevant streams including Business and Management Studies, IT and Software, Science, Engineering and Humanities and Social Sciences. The courses are offered across 13 specializations, with Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Physics, Politics and Statistics the most prominent ones.
When it comes to popular courses, M.Sc, MS and M.A. are some major ones being pursued by students at the graduate level. The average duration of the courses varies for different levels of courses, with the average duration of graduate courses being 18 months to 2 years.
Another important factor to be take into account, is the University of Bern fee. The cost of studies at University of Bern varies with the level of the course, with the average per semester tuition fees being CHF 750 (INR 80.8 K).
University of Bern prefers students with a good academic background and those who demonstrate excellence in non-academic activities too. As a result, applicants are required to satisfy the university’s admission requirements, which includes, securing valid scores in the following tests: IELTS, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT.
Things to know about University of Bern
Mentioned below are some important facts & figures related to Uni of Bern:
|
University of Bern |
Validation |
|---|---|
|
Established |
1834 |
|
Location |
Hochschulstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland |
|
Founded by |
Government of Bern |
|
Also known as |
UniBE |
|
Acceptance rate |
19% |
|
Shiksha Popularity Ranking |
#5 in Switzerland |
|
Shiksha World Ranking |
#107 |
|
Popular Streams of Studies |
Business & Managerment, IT & Software, Engineering, Humanities & Social Sciences |
|
Fees |
CHF 750 (INR 81 K approx) per semester |
|
Total Students |
19,608 (2024) |
| Faculties |
|
|
Placement Rate |
75% (Source: Unofficial) |
|
Top Employers |
Insel Gruppe, SBB CFF FFS, Selbststandig & UBS |
|
Notable Alumni |
Emil Theodor Kocher, Christa Rigozzi, Kurt Wuthrich, Walter Benjamin & John le Carre |
Conversion rate: 1 CHF = INR 107.78
University of Bern History
Though UniBE formally came to be known as a university in 1834, its history can be traced back almost 200 years to its official establishment, when the Reformation forced the creation of a higher education institution, i.e. the University of Bern.
The Bern government converted what was previously a School of Theology into an Academy comprising of four faculties. The institute educated ministers, lawyers & physicians along with the priests.
In 1834, under the administration of the Liberals in Bern, the institute was officially recognized as a university, welcoming about 167 students & 45 lecturers as part of its first cohort.
The institute continued its expansion to different parts of Bern, & shift to present day, it is accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Council.
Want to know more about the University of Bern? Then check out its latest annual report: University of Bern Annual Report
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
No, studies at Bern University are not free, however, they are very much affordable. Bern being a public institution charges tuition costs than some other private universities in Switzerland.
The per semester tuition fee is CHF 750 (INR 81 K approx), while internatonal students are also required to pay an additional per semester fee worth CHF 200 (INR 21.5 K), which still keeps the overall per semester fees under CHF 1,000.
Conversion rate: 1 CHF = INR 107.87
For bachelor’s programs, German is the main language of instruction at the University of Bern. If German is not the native language, then the applicants are required to provide a proof of language skills in German on the C1 Level or take a German test at the University of Bern. A few of the master’s programs require a proof of excellent German and English. For the master’s program, the applicants are not required to show any qualification for the German language.
University of Bern admission requirements for international students comprise of proof of proficiency in the English language as a major entry requirements. University of Bern accepts IELTS/TOEFL scores as a proof of proficiency in the language and students can refer to the table below for minimum score requirements:
| English Proficiency Exam | Minimum Score Requirements |
|---|---|
6.0 or higher | |
92 or higher |
Note: Applicants must submit their English language exam score no later than Feb 15, 2024 for the Fall semester and Aug 31, 2024 for the Spring semester.
University of Bern Ranking 2026
The University of Bern ranking is #5 in Switzerland & #107 globally, per the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings. Moreover, the institute is also ranked highly by a number of prominent university ranking publications including Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World, US news, & THE among others.
The table below lists how some other popular publications rank Bern University as part of their latest rankings:
| Publication | Rank |
|---|---|
| Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World 2026 | #184 |
| US News - Global Universities - 2025-26 | #114 |
| THE - 2025 | #104 |
University of Bern Course Ranking
Shiksha also ranks the institute's courses across all colleges & universities in Switzerland, as part of its rankings. The table below highlights how certain courses perform across the country:
| Course | Shiksha Popularity Ranking |
|---|---|
| MS | #4 |
| MFA | #2 |
| Others PG | #3. |
| MA | #5 |
| LLM | #6 |
| MIM | #9 |
#108
#6
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
University of Bern is not just one of the best universities in Switzerland, but also a part of the top 150 global universities. Refer to the table below for University of Bern rankings:
| Ranking Body, Category & Year | University of Bern Rankings |
|---|---|
| QS Rankings - Best Global Universities 2024 | #126 |
| QS Rankings - Europe University Rankings 2024 | #29 |
| QS Rankings - Sustainability Rankings 2024 | #306 |
| US News - Best Global Universities 2024 | #107 |
| US News - Best Global Universities in Europe 2024 | #39 |
| US News - Best Global Universities in Switzerland 2024 | #4 |
| Times Higher Education (THE) - World University Rankings 2024 | #116 |
University of Bern Courses
University of Bern Courses includes 39 undergraduate, 74 graduate & 29 PhD degree courses that can be pursued in both English & German lanaguages. Business and Management Studies, IT and Software, Science, Engineering and Humanities and Social Sciences are some of the most popular streams pursued by the institute’s student population. As far as specialisations go: Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Physics, Politics and Statistics are the most pursued ones.
University of Bern Popular Courses
Though the institute offers a vast array of courses, some courses are more relevant among students than others including, M.Sc, MS and M.A. at the graduate level.
The overall duration of a course varies with the level of the course and the specialization, with graduate course having an average duration of 18 months to 2 years.
University of Bern Graduate Courses
There are 70+ options to choose from at the PG level of studies, some popular ones are mentioned below:
- Master of Arts in English
- Master in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
- Master of Science in Statistics & Data Science
- Master's in Ecology & Evolution
- Master of Science in Climate Sciences
To know more about courses in detail, get your FREE PDF from here:
13.6K+ students got admitted through us.
13.6K+ students got admitted through us.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
University of Bern offers a range of programs in leading fields for their international students through 40 bachelor's degree courses, along with about 75 master's degree courses. Some of the most popular University of Bern majors for overseas audience is listed below:
- Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems;
- Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences;
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology;
- Geosciences;
- Surgery;
- Infectious Diseases;
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging;
- Clinical Medicine;
- Environment/Ecology; and
- Microbiology.
University of Berlin is home to students from 120 nations around the world and offers a variety of courses for them in the English language, especially their master's programs. Some of the widely enrolled programs in the University of Bern, where the language of instruction is English are listed below:
- Climate Science;
- Computer Science & Life Sciences;
- Biomedical Engineering;
- Business;
- Economics;
- Mathematics; and
- Political, Legal & Economic Philosophy.
At the University of Bern, a few of the master’s degree programs are offered in English language. Other courses are mainly held in German. For some degree programs, the applicants require a very good command of the English language. In case, no language certificate is required for the chosen master’s program, then it is the responsibility of the applicants to make sure that they are proficient in the language of instruction.
University of Bern Admission 2025
The University of Bern accepts admissions across two intakes over the year: Fall & Spring. Mentioned below are the upcoming deadlines for University of Bern admission:
| Intake | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring semester | Dec 15, 2025 |
| Fall semester | Apr 30, 2026 |
University of Bern Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for Bern University tends to vary for different courses, however, the general requirements are as follows:
- Personal documents including valid government ID, JPEG Photograph, Registration number (if studied at a Swiss university in the past)
- Past educational transcripts including Class X & Class XII marksheets, proof of degree, & past exams taken & passed
- Proof of English langauge proficiency
- Valid passport
- Medical & Character Certificate
- Valid SAT or ACT scores (optional)
English Langauge Requirements
International applicants must demonstrate a decent grasp on verbal & written English to be eligible for admissions to one of the Bern University courses.
The requirements vary for different courses, listed below are the general English language requirements:
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 |
| TOEFL | 92 or higher |
University of Bern Admission Process for International Students
The University of Bern admission process involves the following steps:
- Register on the official university application portal
- Choose a course that best aligns with your interest & academic background
- Submit an online application form
- Pay the specified application fee (typically CHF 100 or INR 10.7 K)
- Wait for an official response
- Receive the receipt of payment slip
- Send personal documents for verification purposes
- Wait for 2-3 weeks for verification to complete
- Your original documents would be shared back with you along with your official Campus Account details & UNICARD
To know more about Admissions at Bern, check out the: University of Bern Admission Guide
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
In order to secure an enrollment, all overseas applicants are required to fulfill the University of Bern admission requirements for international students, which are listed below:
- International university degree from a state or state-recognized university in an academic degree programme that lasted at least three years;
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL);
- Resume/CV;
- Motivation letter; and
- Course-specific requirements.
The language of instruction for MS in CS is English. The University of Bern requirements for international students for MS in CS are given below:
- A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science is required
- 3 years bachelor’s degree is required
Check more about the University of Bern MS in CS from here
University of Bern accepts international applications through the Application Portal available on the university's website. While applying, candidates must submit the following documents:
- Photocopies of all official records of academic achievements with grades;
- English proficiency exam scores;
- Resume/CV;
- Motivation letter;
- Authorized form; and
- Photocopy of valid passport or official identity card.
University of BernUniversity of Bern Scholarships 2025
University of Bern offers generous scholarships to their international audience through the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Some of the most popular University of Bern scholarships for international students are:
- Research Scholarships: Available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree is the minimum qualification required).
- Art scholarships: Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial arts master’s degree in Switzerland.
Applicants must appply separately for these scholarships in order to avail the financial aid, along with fulfilling the eligibility criteria listed below:
- Candidate profile;
- Quality of the research project or artistic work; and
- Synergies and potential for future research cooperation.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Yes, the University of Bern offers generous scholarships to their international audience through the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Some of the most popular University of Bern scholarships for international students are:
- Research Scholarships: Available to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (who hold a master’s degree is the minimum qualification required).
- Art scholarships: Art scholarships are open to art students wishing to pursue an initial arts master’s degree in Switzerland.
Applicants must appply separately for these scholarships in order to avail the financial aid, along with fulfilling the eligibility criteria listed below:
- Candidate profile;
- Quality of the research project or artistic work; and
- Synergies and potential for future research cooperation.
2 yearsUniversity of Bern Placement
The University of Bern Placement rate is around 75%, per data curated from multiple unofficial sources, with Bern graduates receiving job offers from the likes of Insel Gruppe, Selbsttandig, UBS & University of Bern itself among some other top Swiss companies.
Top Industries
The table below lists the top industries employing University of Bern graduates:
| Industry | Percentage of Graduates Employed |
|---|---|
| Business Development | 14.57% |
| Education | 12.44% |
| Healthcare | 9.52% |
| Research | 8.88% |
| Legal | 5.92% |
Top Courses Pursued
The University of Bern graduates have access to a wide variety of courses across different levels of studies, however, they tend to pursue some courses more than others. Mentioned below are the top courses & the percentage of graduates who pursued them:
| Course | Percentage of Graduates Who Pursued |
|---|---|
| Law | 16.78% |
| Economics | 13.73% |
| Business Administration & Management | 13.62% |
| Psychology | 11.68% |
| Medicine | 8.97% |
Top Employers
University of Bern graduates are always of demand to a number of top companies in Switzerland, thanks to their in-depth knowledge of respective areas of studies, attention to detail, & ability to solve complex tasks efficiently.
Given below are some of the top recruiters at the University of Bern:
| University of Bern | Number of Graduates Employed |
|---|---|
| University of Bern | 1,783 |
| Insel Gruppe | 640 |
| SBB CFF FFS | 589 |
| Selbstständig | 471 |
| UBS | 438 |
Commonly asked questions On Placements
The University of Bern graduates are on the receiving end of job offers from a number of top organizations in Switzerland & abroad. This includes: Swiss Armed Forces, Swisscom, UBS, Selbstständig, University of Zurich & Insel Gruppe.
The table below lists the institute's top recruiters & number of Bern graduates they employ:
| University of Bern | Number of Graduates Employed |
|---|---|
| University of Bern | 1,783 |
| Insel Gruppe | 640 |
| SBB CFF FFS | 589 |
| Selbstständig | 471 |
| UBS | 438 |
University of Bern Fees
The University of Bern fees (average) is CHF 750 (INR 80.8 K) per semester, with international students also subjected to an addiional fee of CHF 200 (INR 21.5 K) per semester.
The actual per semester cost of studies may vary with the course & the specialisation, students opt for.
Registration & Application Fee
| Fee Type | Fee (in CHF) | Fee (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | CHF 100 | INR 10.7 K |
| Registration Fee | CHF 100 | INR 10.7 K |
| Late Application Fee | CHF 100 | INR 10.7 K |
| Semester Fee | CHF 34 | INR 3.6 K |
| Member of the Student Union (SUB) fee | CHF 25 | INR 2.7 K |
University of Bern Cost of Living
The estimated cost of living at Bern University ranges between CHF 1,500 -CHF 2,200 (INR 1.6 L-INR 2.37 L) per month. The cost of living varies based on the standard of living a student opts to pursue in Switzerland.
The table below gives a detailed breakdown of the cost of living at Bern:
| Component | Cost (in CHF) | Cost (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | CHF 620-800 | INR 66.8 K-INR 86.2 K |
| Health/Medical Insurance | CHF 180-400 | INR 19.4 K-INR 43.1 K |
| Public Transport | CHF 100 | INR 10.7 K |
| Food & other goods | CHF 400-500 | INR 43.1 K-INR 53.8 K |
| Course Material | CHF 100 | INR 10.7 K |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | CHF 100-300 | INR 10.7 K-INR 32.3 K |
| Total Cost | CHF 1,500-2,200 | INR 1.6 L-INR 2.37 L |
1 CHF = INR 107.78
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(13 courses) | INR 2 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5 - 7, TOEFL: 72 - 100, GRE |
M.Sc.(3 courses) | INR 2 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18 months Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT: 575 & Above, GRE: 154 & Above |
MBA/PGDM(3 courses) | INR 2 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18 months Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT: 575 & Above, GRE: 154 & Above |
M.A.(2 courses) | INR 2 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 92 - 100 |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
University of Bern offers a range of programs in leading fields such as Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Music, Psychology, Sports, Social Sciences & Management, Vetenary Medicine, and several more for their international students through 40 bachelor's degree courses, along with about 75 master's degree courses. Annual tuition fee required to pursue a degree course at Bern University is less than 2L on an average, which can be considered extremely affordable as a study abroad option. Students can refer to the table listed below for course specific fees requirements:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
MS (12 courses) | INR 2 K - 2 L |
MIM (3 courses) | INR 2 L |
M.A. (2 courses) | INR 2 L |
In order to secure an enrollment, Indian must fulfill the University of Bern admission requirements as per the programme they're applying for. Bern University requires a university degree (minimum duration of study: 3 years full-time) from Indian students as the general entry requirement. Other requirements include the submission of updated resume and fulfilling the English language requirements (IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL: 92).
University of Bern Notable Alumni
The University of Bern Notable Alumni includes a number of prominent writers, politicians, media & public figures, with the likes of John le Carre, Christa Rigozzi, Friedrich Durrenmatt, Walter Benjamin & Carla Del Ponte all pursuing their higher education from Bern.
The table below gives a brief dedata-originaliption of each of these individuals & their respective backgrounds:
| Alumni Name | Profession | Alumni |
|---|---|---|
| John le Carre |
|
 |
| Christa Rigozzi |
|
|
| Friedrich Durrenmatt |
|
 |
| Carla Del Ponte |
|
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
David John Moore Cornwell, also known by his pen name: John le Carre, is among those to have attended the University of Bern.
John was notably part of the UK's premier security service: MI5 & the intelligence service MI6.
However, it was his ability with a pen in his hand that made him stand out, writing a number of espionage thrillers, with some of his popular works including: The Spy Who Came From the Cold (1963) & Call for the Dead (1961).
Former Miss Switzerland (2006): Christa Rigozzi is among those to have attended the University of Bern. Rigozzi pursued a course in criminology during her time at the institute, & is currently working as an TV Entertainer & Content Creator. Rigozzi is famous for winning the title of Miss Switzerland in 2006, & also represented her country as part of the Miss Universe 2007 beauty pageant contest.
She also runs a number of businesses & has more than 50K followers on Instagram.
University of Bern vs University of Zurich vs University of Geneva: Which is better?
University of Bern, University of Zurich & University of Geneva are all part of the top 5 universities in Switzerland, per Shiksha Popularity Ranking.
While Bern ranks #5, Geneva betters it by securing the rank #4, however, Zurich topples both by securing rank #3.
Each of these institutes have identical acceptance rates, & tuition fees.
For a detailed comparison, check out the table below:
|
Criteria |
University of Bern |
University of Zurich |
University of Geneva |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Location |
Hochschulstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland |
Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland |
1205 Geneva, Switzerland |
|
Acceptance Rate |
19% |
19-27% |
21% |
|
Popular Courses & Streams |
Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Climate Science |
Law, Medicine, Psychology & Biology |
Medicine, Humanities, Social Sciences |
|
Average Tuition Fees (PG) |
INR 2.05 L |
INR 2 L |
INR 1.56 L |
| Shiksha Popularity Ranking (Switzerland) |
#5 |
#3 |
#4 |
| Shiksha Global Ranking |
#107 |
#64 |
#95 |
Compare University of Bern with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 2.13 L | #184 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 1.12 L | #155 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 76.12 K | #152 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 1.64 L | #22 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 13.61 L - 18.85 L | #116 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 26.18 K - 12.56 L | #851 QS, 2026 |
CompareUniversity of BernStudying in Switzerland
Key Facts About Switzerland
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
University of Bern Campus Life
Based in Bern, Switzerland, the University of Bern does not have a single unified campus. Instead, it has a number of faculties & institutes across the city of Bern, that offer English & German taught education to Swiss & international students.
The University of Bern campus life is known for its inclusivity & diversity. The students are welcoming, & faculty are well versed in their respective areas of study. Student events are a regular theme, providing ample opportunities to students to interact, learn & grow their network.
Mentioned below are some key resources available to students as part of the University of Bern campus:
Student Support
The University of Bern provides a number of support services to its international students to make their transition easier. UniBE maintains a dedicated online support portal that can guide them with regards to a number of key things, including: Career Counselling, Mental Health, Tech Support, Food on campus & more.
Funding Entrepreneurs
Uni of Bern in collaboration with some external Swiss organizations such as bench2biz, Sef.NEXTGEN, Wave Fellowship & Talent Kick, guides & funds the dreams of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Student events such as ted talks & workshops are a regular feature which run every two to three weeks, that aims to provide ample support to future entrepreneurs.
Housing
Bern University does not maintain on-campus accommodation for its students. However, it does operate a dedicated online portal, listing some of the best sources to find student housing near the university facilities.
These include: studentlodge.ch, Stuwo, Housing Anywhere, StudentInnen Logierhaus Immoplus & Studentenresidenz Stöckacker among others.
Commonly asked questions On Others
International students in Bern are allowed to work a maximum of 15 hours a week, which can be deemed pretty low compared to the part-time work allowances in some other European countries.
Finding part time jobs in Switzerland is not an easy ask, & the same can be said for using it as a means to pay your monthly bills, since the allowed work hours are very much limited.
University of Bern FAQs
University of Bern is a beautifully built university in Switzerland and students across the globe desire to study here. Attending the University of Bern is a worth it experience as per the student reviews. However, a lot varies as per the candidate's choice of programme and its curriculum. For programs like Economics, Science, Physics, Mathematics and more, University of Bern is widely applauded. Students do work on various aasignments every week and also get exposure to practical learning. Bern University's buildings is spread all over the city and students enjoy commuting from one place to another, especially on a motor bike.
University of Bern
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 months ago
The Bern University ranks among the best universities in the world, securing a global rank #107 as part of the latest Shiksha Popularity Ranking. Shiksha also ranks it #5 among all universities in Switzerland.
Moreover, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranks it #184 globally, as part of its 2026 rankings,
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
Based in Zurich, Switzerland, ETH Zurich ranks as the #1 university in the country, per Shiksha Popularity Rankings. The public institute also forms part of the top 10 universities in the world, in the latest Shiksha rankings, securing a rank #10.
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) too, ranks it among the top
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
International students seeking part time work in Switzerland can attain the same, provided they satisfy the eligibility criteria mentioned below:
- Must possess a valid study visa & Switzerland residence permit
- Must have lived in the country for a minimum of six months
- Agree to not exceed the working hou
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
The per semester fee for PhD students at UniBE is CHF 200 (INR 21.5 K), while PhD students must also pay a one-time registration fee worth CHF 100 (INR 10.7 K), as part of the application process.
This is in stark contrast to the average per semester cost of studies at the institute which is around C
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
Also known as "The City of Fountains", Bern is known for being one of the most scenic study abroad destinations in the world, with the presence of a number of top higher educational institutes amidst the natural beauty of the region.
Its Old town region, is now a member of the UNESCO World Heritage s
A
Contributor-Level 10
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University of BernLocation
| University City | Bern, Other - Switzerland, Switzerland |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 1,33,883 |
University of BernContact Information
University of Bern
Hochschulstrasse 4
3012 Bern
Switzerland
Bern ( Other - Switzerland)
(For general query)
(For admission query)
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