Business Administration

Full-time studies usually take 3 years or 6 semesters. The amount of work involved is roughly equivalent to a full-time job. Classroom courses take place from Monday to Friday. 

In the special and examination weeks, attendance events can take place from Monday to Saturday; the concrete dates will be communicated in good time. No compulsory courses take place during the attendance-free period. 

Part-time studies usually last for 4 years or 8 semesters - longer with lower workload is also possible. Contact lessons during the first three semesters take place on Mondays and Tuesdays full day and occasionally on Saturdays until 16h00 at the latest. From the 4th semester onwards, the attendance depends on the modules you’ve chosen and your specialisation. Approximately 2.5 days are to be expected for contact lessons.

If you pursue a professional career while studying and can prove that you have applied what you have learnt at the Business School to your job, you can apply for credits towards your degree (max. 12 ECTS).

In the special and examination weeks, attendance events can take place from Monday to Saturday;, the concrete dates will be communicated in good time. No compulsory courses take place during the attendance-free period 

This specialisation is especially designed for students who want to work in financial management, auditing or controlling. After completing this specialisation, you will have knowledge of the latest accounting and tax standards and controlling systems. In addition, you will use state-of-the-art digital tools - and all this in cooperation with leading auditing companies.

With over 200,000 employees, the financial sector plays an important role in the Swiss economy. This specialisation gives you a sound basis in financial economics and financial management. It focuses on topics relating to asset and risk management. In addition, you will be prepared for an increasingly digital financial world by integrating quantitative methods and tools.

With over 200,000 employees, the financial sector plays an important role in the Swiss economy. This specialisation gives you a sound basis in financial economics and financial management. It focuses on topics relating to asset and risk management. In addition, you will be prepared for an increasingly digital financial world by integrating quantitative methods and tools.

In the greater Bern area, the public sector plays an important role as both employer and customer. Basic knowledge of how the digital transformation is taking place in the public sector is a plus on the labour market. This specialisation deals with the changes and adjustments in the public sector triggered by digitalization. Digital Government focuses on digital democracy and participation, data and infrastructure as enablers of transformation, as well as innovation and the associated processes of change.

This specialisation is for students who are interested in personnel management not only in its traditional form but also in new forms of organisation and work. In three modules, you acquire specific HR  management skills, become familiar with various HR tools and instruments and critically reflect on their application. In exercises and training sessions you reflect on your own attitudes and behaviour. You will also learn how to deal with stress effectively.

Innovations are the engine of our economy and have the potential to solve social problems. It is often start-ups that change our lives with innovative products and services. In this specialisation, you will learn how to create value through innovation and make strategic decisions that benefit both companies and society.

The specialisation deals with the topics corporate sustainability, sustainable demand and circular economy. The modules are designed not only to appeal to students who are already interested in business' impact on our environment, but also to attract others to the subject. In this specialisation you will explore the strong links between environmental sustainability and many other areas, such as international management, innovation, entrepreneurship and digitalisation.

Today, all companies are part of a globalised world economy. Corporate management and the conduct of business are global issues. In the in-depth course, you will have the opportunity to apply and expand your knowledge from the basic subjects and  to develop a global mindset. You will gain practical skills by dealing with the complexity of international markets and different cultures. 

Marketing and communication are undergoing a fundamental change, particularly as a result of the digital transformation of companies and our society. This specialisation gives you insight into the conceptual and strategic issues surrounding companies' communication with their customers and stakeholders. You will also explore how companies choose their communication channels and the type of content they publish. This specialisation is especially aimed at students who want to acquire digital marketing skills in a diverse and interdisciplinary environment.

 The BFH Business School has numerous partner universities all over the world. A semester abroad at another university can last one or two semesters. The courses you take during your exchange are usually credited towards your degree at your home university. 

Our International Office provides a wide range of support if you want to study abroad. 

For more information please visit International Office. 

Certificate of Global Competence

In addition to the bachelor's degree, you can also acquire the "Certificate of Global Competence". It offers you the opportunity to provide evidence of your intercultural competence.

Career Services

We accompany and support you with a range of services relating to job seeking with our Career Services. Look out for more information when you enrol at the Business School.

Our business administration programme is mainly designed for those who already hold a basic qualification in business.
Applicants with the following qualifications will be accepted:

Switzerland

• Vocational Baccalaureate (Berufsmaturität) with a (Swiss) Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET/EFZ) in one of the related professions/fields or one year's full-time work experience in one of the related professions/fields
• Gymnasial Baccalaureate (gymnasiale Maturität) plus one year’s full-time work experience in one of the related professions/fields
• Specialised Baccalaureate plus one year’s full-time work experience in one of the related professions/fields
• PET (professional education and training) college qualification with a Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET/EFZ) in one of the related professions/fields or one year’s full-time work experience in one of the related professions/fields

Auditors and guest students

It is possible to take part in modules without doing the whole degree. You will find all information including the application form here.

Language skills 

Good knowledge of German and English is required. 

Most lessons are held in German. If you are not a native German speaker, you must have German language competence at C1 level (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat C1). 

However, some  technical literature can also be in English. Parts of the lessons are also held in English. If in doubt, we recommend that you attend an intensive course in English before beginning your studies.

Entry into higher semester

Entry into a advanced  semester is possible 

• for people who are transferring from another higher education institution

• for persons with equivalent domestic or foreign degrees or 

• for graduates of a higher technical college: 
  
  Offer for holders of a federally recognised title from a higher technical college as a graduate business economist HF,  graduate  bank economist  HF or  graduate  insurance economist  HF  
  
  Offer for holders of a federally recognised title from a higher professional school as a certified tourism specialist HF /  certified  tourism specialist HF or as a  certified  Hôtelière-Restauratrice  HF /  certified  Hôtelier-Restaurateur  HF  

If you are interested in entering an advanced semester, please note this in the comments during online registration and contact us to clarify your options.  

Preparatory courses

Are the contents of the vocational baccalaureate (Berufsmaturität) no longer fully present and need to be refreshed before starting studies? We are happy to support you.

We offer preparatory courses in accounting as well as mathematics for our German-speaking students.

The courses take place in the calendar weeks 32 to 37 (each subject contains 20 lessons - 5 evenings from 17.30 to 21.00). For students who have already registered for their studies the cost of the course is CHF 150.00 per subject including books (CHF 600.00 for external interested parties).

The registration window as well as the detailed timetables and contents will be published at the end of April.

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the course administration.

You may only apply for our bachelor’s degree programme via the online application form.

Documents required for online application:

Domestic applicants:

• Passport-sized photo
• Copy of passport or ID (back and front)
• CV/Resumé (in simple tabular form)
• Baccalaureate certificates and record of marks (if not yet received, a letter of confirmation from the school or a semester report/certificate)
• EFZ (Federal VET Diploma) with grades (if not yet received, a letter of confirmation from the school or a semester report/certificate) - in the case of having undertaken or undertaking an apprenticeship
• Work reference/s with experience documented including details on duties, scale of employment in percentages and exact dates of employment period/s
• Ex-matriculation confirmation, if you have already attended a Swiss university of applied science

International applicants:

• Passport-sized photo
• Copy of passport or ID (back and front)
• CV/Resumé (in simple tabular form) 
• College / University certificates (as required by swiss universities)
• Work reference/s with experience documented including details on duties, scale of employment in percentages and exact dates of employment period/s

Online registration: Study start autumn semester 2021

• Bachelor

If you have obtained qualifications from other universities or equivalent institutions of higher education based in Switzerland or abroad, you can apply before the start of your degree programme for recognition of these qualifications. Applications will only be assessed after admission to a degree programme. 

Please click on the ‘Qualification recognition’ check box during your online registration. The following additional documents must be submitted after successful registration:

• Proof of successfully completed course module(s) (certificates)
• Module description(s)
• Curriculum

Notes on deadlines

External people may participate in courses as a guest (with no credits given) or as an auditor (with credits). The costs amount to CHF 100 per 1 ECTS-Module and is subject to availability.

Application deadline

Spring semester: 20 December
Autumn semester: 15 July