Switzerland's first private faculty of medicine looks set to open its doors within three years.

Talks are underway between the Hirslanden group, which runs private clinics and healthcare services, and Fribourg university. Sponsors are being sought for the new private department.

Students would take the first two years of their course at Fribourg university before continuing at one of the group's seven private clinics.

"A feasibility study shows that this private faculty could cater for 60 students," says Urs Brogli, a spokesman for Hirslanden. He said that collaboration with other universities could not be ruled out.

At present, medical students can only do their first two years in Fribourg and have to complete their course at another university.

It's estimated that medical students would contribute about SFr80,000 towards their studies but Brogli said no definite figure had yet been fixed.

swissinfo with agencies

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