1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Studies
  3. Bachelor's degree programmes
  4. Computer Science
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Computer Science

Are you fascinated by the world of computers and would like to help shape the future of the digital information world? Then become a skilled specialist who is highly sought-after in all industries.

On this flexible university degree programme, you will learn how computers are programmed and used efficiently and reliably. To combine your job in IT with your studies, you can switch from full-time to part-time study or vice versa, as needed.

Five steps to your bachelor’s degree in Computer science.

Start your studies in autumn 2024.

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science
  • Specialisations Computer Perception and Virtual Reality
    Digital Business Systems
    Distributed Systems and IoT
    IT-Security
  • Mode of study Full-time (6 semesters)
    Part-time or work-study programme (8 semesters)
  • Start date 16. September 2024
  • Application deadline 31 July 2024
  • ECTS credits 180 ECTS
  • Teaching language German only, or German and French (bilingual); some courses in English.
  • Location Biel
  • School School of Engineering and Computer Science

Contacts

Focus areas

You acquire knowledge of current IT topics and conduct research in modern laboratories. Half-way through the programme, you decide on your specialisation and structure your studies accordingly.

What you will gain with your degree

You have the freedom to tailor your studies to your personal needs – both time-wise and content-wise.

Right from the first semester on, you tackle numerous projects with a practice-driven approach in small, focussed groups. BFH has top-notch specialists and a large regional, national and international network. Another interesting option is the bilingual tuition in the bilingual City of Biel.

Specialisations

The modular programme allows you to set the direction of your future career path from the midpoint of the course by selecting precisely the specialisations you need. You complete the bachelor’s thesis in your chosen specialisation.

Programme overview

Vertiefung: Computer Perception and Virtual Reality | BSc Informatik BFH

This specialisation combines computer vision, virtual reality and artificial intelligence methods, allowing computers to perceive the world, respond to changes and create new (virtual) worlds.

Content

  • Computer graphics, imaging
  • Simulation, Augmented Reality
  • Computer Science
  • Multimedia

Modules

The following modules are available as part of the Computer Perception and Virtual Reality specialisation and must be taken in accordance with the curriculum:

 

Bachelor’s thesis

The bachelor’s thesis and second project thesis are generally completed in your chosen specialisation.

Vertiefung: Digital Business Systems | BSc Informatik BFH

Digitalisation is penetrating all aspects of life and becoming a critical success factor in business. You will apply the skills acquired in the analysis, design, implementation and operation of application systems in your professional environment.

Content

  • Modern technology stacks and software architectures
  • Process management concepts and applications
  • E-business concepts and architectures
  • BI concepts and applications
  • IT governance and IT service management

Modules
The following modules are available as part of the Digital Business Systems specialisation and must be taken in accordance with the curriculum:

Bachelor’s thesis

The bachelor’s thesis and second project thesis are generally completed in your chosen specialisation.

Vertiefung: Distributed Systems and IoT | BSc Informatik BFH

The systematic development of personal computing towards mobile devices with new network technologies and applications will have a long-term impact on how we communicate and work in our society.

Content

  • Virtual Reality
  • Apps
  • Usability
  • Security
  • Mobile Device Management

Modules

The following modules are available as part of the Distributed Systems and IoT specialisation and must be taken in accordance with the curriculum:

Bachelor’s thesis

The bachelor’s thesis and second project thesis are generally completed in your chosen specialisation.

Vertiefung: IT-Security | BSc Informatik BFH

The security of computer systems, data, documents and users is becoming a major problem for companies, public authorities and private individuals with the increasing expansion and open connectivity in the world of digital information.

Content

  • Cryptography
  • Web and software security
  • Forensics
  • Software piracy and cybercrime, protection of privacy

Modules

The following modules are available as part of the IT Security specialisation and must be taken in accordance with the curriculum:

Bachelor’s thesis

The bachelor’s thesis and second project thesis are generally completed in your chosen specialisation.

Combining theory and practice in research projects

Teaching, practice and research are all closely linked. You can get research experience under your belt during the programme thanks to collaboration with our industry partners.

Take a look at the programmes at the following institutes:
 

Project idea: partner companies

During their studies, students complete practical projects, firstly in project assignments and then as part of a bachelor’s thesis. Interested business partners who would like to suggest a topic for such a work or for another project can contact us at any time!

 
 


My company has an idea!
 

I would like to submit a project idea.
 

Graduation Theses 2023

On approximately 90 pages, the “book” presents the results of these targeted and forward-looking studies. The abstracts of the bachelor’s theses are undeniable proof that the graduates in Computer Science have acquired extensive competencies in the development of innovative, high-quality software solutions as well as communication. It is worth taking a look!

Book: All graduation theses of the School of Engineering and Computer Science

Downloads

Graduation Theses: BSc Computer Science

Career prospects

After successfully gaining your degree, you will have excellent prospects on the job market in all sectors as a Bachelor of Computer Science.

The areas of application are virtually unlimited and are growing continuously, which is why the need for well-trained specialists is constantly increasing. The huge variety of job opportunities guarantees you a position that matches your interests and professional aspirations. You also benefit professionally from BFH’s large network.

Ready for leadership and expert roles?

Our offer: a very high degree of practical application thanks to project assignments and bachelor thesis in cooperation with industry partners.

Our graduates work in the following fields:

  • Software Engineer
  • IT-System Engineer
  • Cyber Security Engineer
  • IT Architect
  • IT Consultant
  • Setting up your own start-up

Further study options

By graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, you will lay the foundations for a subsequent master’s degree at BFH.
Your options:

On the Master of Science in Engineering programme, you will focus on future-oriented topics at the point where research and industry meet and acquire in-depth expertise in various engineering disciplines. You will be qualified for a career in research and development departments, production, logistics, business consulting or the public institutions.

Further information on the Master of Science in Engineering Profil Computer Science

On the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering programme, you will focus on topics at the interface between science, industry and clinical practice and will acquire in-depth expertise in biomedical engineering, electronic implants and image-guided therapy.

Further information on the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

As a student in this programme, you dive into the fascinating world of Precision Engineering, with our Ultraprecision Engineering and Optical Engineering specialisations, and develop the products of the future through innovative research.

Further information on the Master of Science in Precision Engineering

This Chemical Criminalistics master’s programme focuses on the contribution of analytical chemical technology to forensics and various other fields where instrumental analysis is required to solve problems.

Further information on the Master of Science in Forensic Science ansehen

Depending on the specialisation chosen, you can also complete another master’s degree programme at Bern University of Applied Sciences. We will gladly advise you.

Duration + content

Choose the mode of study that suits you best professionally and personally. This bachelor programme is taught in German, bilingually in German and French as well as in English.

Full-time or part-time?

Full-time studies

You study in Biel for 6 semesters. Lectures are held during the day from Monday to Friday.

Part-time studies

You study in Biel for 8 semesters where you can take advantage of a flexible programme with some lectures held online: in-person tuition (during the first half of the programme at the Switzerland Innovation Park SIPBB) is only held one day a week, while the rest of the lectures take place remotely in the afternoon/evening.

Work-study Bachelor’s degree programme

If you hold a Swiss baccalaureate or equivalent qualification, but do not have any professional experience, you can combine the bachelor programme with a parallel vocational internship on the work-study bachelor’s degree programme (PiBS). The PiBS takes four years to complete. The practical application element accounts for 40% and is made up of the internship with a company, project assignments and the bachelor’s thesis. The programme’s structure is identical to the part-time study option.
 

All details on the work-study bachelor’s degree programme PiBS

Programme schedule

The programme comprises the basics of computer science, specialist optional modules, basic mathematics modules, communication, specialisations, general optional modules in engineering and the bachelor’s thesis. You benefit from application-oriented training and produce your first project papers from the very first semester. The annual Special Week – where you tackle exciting, interdisciplinary challenges in a fun way as part of a team – is also very much application-oriented. The optional additional certificates in management, entrepreneurship and bilingual proficiency round off your profile.

The following chart provides an overview of the subject areas covered in the BSc in Computer Science.

Download | curricula

Programme modules

The entire programme is made up of learning units or modules. The curriculum sets out in detail which modules are mandatory and optional.

A detailed overview of the modules that can be completed on the BSc in Computer Science programme can be found here:

You may also attend any additional optional modules you are interested in, which can also be credited towards your degree. The decision as to which optional modules will run is based on the actual number of students enrolled.

List of optional modules

Management

Interested in taking on management tasks and leading a team?
The Certificate in Management, which is specially tailored to engineers, provides you with skills in investment appraisal, strategy and innovation management, and leadership. It increases your attractiveness on the labour market.

Entrepreneurship

You have a business idea and want to start your own business? You want to contribute your know-how to a start-up or use your entrepreneurial mindset to bring companies forward?
Entrepreneurship has many facets. Above all, it requires entrepreneurial thinking and action. With us, you learn to outline and evaluate business models, and what a business plan should take into account, from idea to launch. In addition, you acquire skills in financing, risk management and marketing.

Certificate of Global Competence

With the ‘Certificate of Global Competence’, students have the opportunity to explicitly acquire intercultural and transcultural skills and to provide evidence of them to future employers.

To the description

Bilingual proficiency

You can also obtain the “Certificate of Bilingual Proficiency” at the end of the bilingual full-time programme. The conditions and additional information can be found in the PDF of the same name.

Certificate of Bilingual Proficiency (PDF, 114 KB)

Admission requirements

Many paths lead to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. The work-study bachelor degree programme (PIBS) lets you study even if you’re coming straight from school or if you’ve completed your vocational training in an unrelated profession.
If you’re uncertain, there is the ‘sur dossier’ admission procedure. Please contact us about this.

Your academic requirements

Any one of the following qualifications satisfies the academic requirements:

  • Federal vocational baccalaureate
  • Matura (baccalaureate)
  • Specialised baccalaureate
  • Degree from a higher technical school (HF) in the field of technology or business (recognition of previous academic achievements may also be possible here. This would allow you to start in a higher semester or take fewer modules than in the normal curriculum.)
  • Swiss or foreign equivalent to the Swiss vocational baccalaureate (Secondary Level 2)

Your professional qualifications

One of the following professional achievements qualifies you for this bachelor’s degree programme at Bern University of Applied Sciences:

  • Completed vocational training in a profession related to the field of study
  • Completed vocational training in an unrelated profession plus a one-year internship completed prior to commencing studies
  • Specialised baccalaureate plus a one-year internship completed prior to commencing studies in a profession related to the field of study
  • Swiss baccalaureate plus a one-year internship completed prior to commencing studies, or start studying right away with the PIBS
     
  • Regulations on Related Professions, with list
  • Work-study bachelor degree programme (PIBS)
  • Passerelle Scheme

Supplementary information on admission

For your studies in Computer Science, two options are available. Regardless of the language model chosen, some courses may be taught in English, the main language in Computer Science.  
However, it is not possible to study purely in English in this degree programme.

Studies in German* (full time and part time)

You can complete your entire study programme in German in Biel (full time or part time). Regardless of the language model chosen, some courses may be taught in English, the main language in Computer Science.  However, it is not possible to study purely in English in this degree programme.

Bilingual studies in German and French* (full time only)

A language level of at least B2 (C1 desirable) is required for either German or French and a minimum of B1 for English.
Full-time studies can be completed according to the “immersion principle” in an explicitly bilingual environment (German-French). The language of study is determined in advance for each course and will appear on your certificate. With the exception of the language modules, about half of the modules are taught in German only, the other half in French only.
The course material is available in both languages. You can complete your competency assessments (exams, graded assignments, etc.) in the language of your choice (German or French).
A reference to your successfully completed bilingual studies will be added to your bachelor’s degree.

*English as a working and teaching language in computer science.

  • Regardless of the language model chosen, some courses may be taught in English, the main language in Computer Science.
  • Teaching documentation in Computer Science subjects is usually only available in English.
  • You will have the opportunity to use and perfect your English in discussions and written work.

Depending on your educational background, we recommend the following two preliminary courses to prepare you for the programme:

Vorkurs Mathematik

In diesem Kurs wird in 84 Lektionen der Mathematikstoff der technischen Berufsmaturität repetiert und vertieft. Studienbewerbern, welche in ihrer Vorbildung im Fach Mathematik eine Note unter 5.0 haben,...

Vorkurs Programmierung für Informatik, Data Engineering und Medizininformatik

In diesem Kurs werden in 48 Lektionen grundlegende Kenntnisse einfacher Elemente der Programmierung vermittelt, welche Ihnen den Studienstart in Informatik, Data Engineering oder Medizininformatik erleichtern.

  • You are also welcome to apply if you hold a foreign degree (‘sur dossier’ admission procedure).

  • Do you have a degree from a traditional Swiss university, ETH or another university of applied sciences in a related discipline? Provided you have not been exmatriculated for unsatisfactory performance, you can continue your degree with us and parts of your previous academic achievements may be recognised (application after successful matriculation). Depending on your professional experience in the field of your degree, you may be required to obtain additional practical experience through a vocational internship or work-study bachelor degree programme.

Application

Secure your place early.
You can always submit any missing documents later.

Application deadlines

Application deadline: 31 July 2024
Start date: 16 September 2024

Start your studies in autumn 2024.

Brief explanation of online application

You can only apply online.
Our Online Application Guide explains how it works, step by step.

Online Application Guide

Application documents

You will need to make PDF or JPG copies of the following documents:

Mandatory requirements:

  • ID or passport
  • Passport photo that meets international passport requirements

Other documents (certificates, etc.)

  • Diplomas and university entrance certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, baccalaureate, Abitur or equivalent)
  • Swiss federal VET diploma with grades
  • Employer references and/or internship certificates
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Additional documents may be required, depending on your educational background

The costs for the degree programme include registration, study and examination fees as well as contributions for course materials and trips.

Costs

At BFH, different fees apply for programmes and examinations.

Application (per application)*

CHF 100

Matriculation**

CHF 100

Tuition fees (per semester)

CHF 750

Tuition fees for international students*** (per semester)

CHF 950

Examination fee (per semester)

CHF 80

Fee for social, cultural and sport offerings (per semester)

CHF 24

Membership fee for the Bern University of Applied Sciences Student Association (VSBFH) (per semester)

CHF 15

* plus CHF 10 processing fee if paying by paying-in slip/paper invoice.
** If the application leads to matriculation, the matriculation fee is covered by the application fee.
*** International students are defined as persons of foreign citizenship who at the time of obtaining their university entrance qualification were domiciled under civil law neither in Switzerland nor the Principality of Liechtenstein. This rule applies as of the 2018/19 autumn semester.

Loans and grants can help finance your studies.

Information page on support options

The following foundations offer funding specifically to BFH students and students at universities of applied sciences:

Advice + information

Still have questions about the programme? The head of the degree programme, lecturers and students will be able to answer your questions at one of our information events.

Advice

Choosing a degree programme is an important decision. We will be happy to arrange a face-to-face chat to answer your questions and advise you on the requirements for your chosen programme.

Prof. Dr. Michael Röthlin

  • Leiter Fachbereich Informatik
  • +41 32 321 63 17
  • Show e-mail

Prof. Dr. Bernhard Anrig

  • Dozent
  • +41 32 321 63 34
  • Show e-mail

Sekretariat Informatik

  • +41 32 321 63 23
  • Show e-mail

Information event

Visit one of our information events and find out all about the degree programme, the admission requirements and your career prospects.

Location + facilities

Full-time studies

The lecture rooms and laboratories are located at Höheweg 80 in Biel, a five-minute walk from the main building on Quellgasse.

The laboratories provide realistic conditions for the four specialisations and boast state-of-the-art facilities.

Part-time and work-study programmes

You complete the core programme in Biel at Aarbergstrasse 46 in the new Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (SIPBB).

The attractive building and environment is the perfect place for you to study: the SIPBB is a setting where people from innovation, entrepreneurship and research backgrounds come together, while start-ups, SMEs and researchers work in the new building. This means you benefit from exciting networking opportunities and a state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The SIPBB is just a two-minute walk from Biel railway station, providing great transport links. There are no parking spaces on site, but parking is available elsewhere, including at the Coop car park.

Locations

Höheweg 80, 2502 Biel

Aarbergstrasse 46, 2503 Biel / Bienne

Facilities