1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Studies
  3. Master's degree programmes
  4. Business Administration
See table of contents See table of contents

Business Administration

Acquire future-oriented skills for your next career step.

The german-based degree programme with a new curriculum from 2021: 

  • is aimed at graduates of a Bachelor's programme in Business Administration or a related programme. 

  • offers individual focus options in the key areas of strategic entrepreneurship & marketing, financial business development, HRM & organizational development and sustainable business development with the future-oriented specialisation corporate/business development. 

  • picks up on the latest trends in business and society (digitalisation, sustainability, corporate social responsibility). 

  • is part-time and can be optimally combined with your job as a Friday-Saturday study model. 

  • is practice-oriented and focuses on practical management issues and empirical (research). 

  • can be expanded internationally - as a double degree with an additional university degree in Australia. 

Master Business Administration

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Master of Science (MSc)
  • Specialisations Corporate/Business Development
    (Optional specialisation in: Strategic Entrepreneurship & Marketing, Financial Business Development, HRM & Organizational Development or Sustainable Business Development)
  • Mode of study Part-time 4 semesters
  • Start date Calendar week 38
  • Application deadline April 30 - double execution due to high demand.
    Registrations will be considered until July 31 at the latest if places are available.
  • ECTS credits 90 ECTS-Credits
  • Teaching language German
  • Location Bern
  • School Business School

Contact

Downloads (in German)

Content + Structure

The Master's programme is very strongly oriented towards the teaching of generalist problem-solving and management skills. A situational management approach, teaches you everything you need to know to perform demanding management functions in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment. A degree of employment of up to 80% can be achieved for ideal compatibility of studies and career.

Portrait

The Master's programme is divided into three module groups and a  Master's thesis. The module group advanced management competencies introduces general management knowledge and tools that are central to corporate and business development.In the in-depth module group corporate/business development (CBD), phase-related management problems and strategic issues of the CBD Cycle are dealt with. The modules of the module group scientific work prepare you to conduct your own empirical research with practical relevance. You will work on scientific practice projects in coached teams and complete your studies with a practice-oriented empirical Master's thesis in the chosen subject area.  

Training objectives

After completion of the Master's programme you can 

  • perform shaping and developing tasks in challenging company situations in a responsible function and derive action strategies for the central operational functional areas of a company depending on the development phase of a company. 

  • lead development processes at team and organisational unit level. 

  • independently design, moderate, and reflect upon complex decision-making processes in practice.

  • commission, accompany, assess or carryout research or data analysis and integrate them into decision-making processes and derive measures. 

  • set an example in terms of self- and social competence. 

Specialisations + focal points

The module group corporate/business development (CBD) comprises the central modules of the specialisation of the degree programme, which are anchored in the CBD Cycle. The focus of the specialisation study is on various challenges in the context of corporate or market development. Further components of this module group are the elective modules in the subject areas strategy process, business ethics & corporate social responsibility and international corporate & business development (study trip). The CBD Cycle comprises three cyclical action-oriented phases of sustainable corporate and business development: start-up and growth management, business development & reinvention and crisis & turnaround management. Each phase is dealt with in depth from the three main functional perspectives (strategic entrepreneurship & marketing, financial business development, HRM & organizational development), and functional options for action are identified for each phase. Each phase thus consists of a total of three modules, which integratively cover the essential management fields of sustainable business development of this phase and are connected via practice-related cases. 

During the programme, students have the option of choosing an individual focus, which is shown in the transcript of records after graduation. The focal points are covered in terms of content by specified modules or modules to be selected and require a corresponding topic for the academic practice projects and the Master's thesis. 

This is determined during the first semester. The following individual specialisations can be taken: 

  • Strategic entrepreneurship & marketing 

  • Financial business development 

  • HRM & organizational development 

  • Sustainable business development 

CBD Grafik Enlarge image
Corporate / Business Development Cycle (in German)

Type of study + duration

The Master's programme with a specialisation in Corporate/Business Development is designed to provide an ideal balance between studies and career. Contact study days take place on Fridays and Saturdays, allowing a maximum degree of employment of up to 80% - a unique selling point among consecutive Master's programmes in Switzerland. Further flexibility is possible at any time by extending the duration of studies.  

Curriculum + modules

The curriculum represents the structure of the programme for the part-time four-semester standard study model. It shows you which modules you will take place in which semester if you are studying according to the standard study model.

Curriculum (in German)

Curriculum Master Business Administration Enlarge image

Elective modules Business School

Elective modules offered by the Business School are modules that are independent of stage and that students take - in addition to the regular courses of study to expand and apply this  knowledge in their professional life. There is a changing and diverse range of language qualifications and special topics. Take elective modules during the regular semester or during semester break as summer or winter schools. 
 
The achievements in the elective modules are not part of the actual Master's programme and are listed separately in the Transcript of Records.

Career services 

Within the framework of our Career Services e accompany and support you with a wide range of services  to prepare you for the application process and for job searching after graduation. 

e-learning 

The learning platform Moodle is used for the exchange of information between students and lecturers and is a supplement to classroom teaching. Moodle can be used, for example, to provide scripts and working materials, to submit student work or to complete practice exams electronically. 

Alumni 

The Alumni BFH Wirtschaft, with over 2000 members, is the connecting organisation of former and active students of the BFH Business School.
The Alumni BFH Wirtschaft represents the interests of its members (active professional policy) and creates attractive opportunities for - networking and exchanges of experience. To this end, it maintains close relations with the Business School, the umbrella organisation FH Switzerland and with the public. You can find further information at abfh.ch. 

The Master's programme is headed by Prof. Dr. Nada Endrissat. 

All lecturers in the Master's programme  have extensive practical experience in business and administration and high academic qualifications (usually a doctorate). 

Head of the study program

Download (in German)

Student mobility is desirable and is encouraged in cooperation with the BFH Business School’s International Office. In the fourth semester, a stay abroad is possible.

Further information

Double Degree 

Under a cooperation agreement with the Australian University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), you can gain international experience abroad and acquire a further English-language Master's degree at a university (double degree). 

You will complete an additional full-time semester (4 months) and earn additional credits, usually 30 ECTS credits. 

Depending on your subject and time preferences, you can earn the additional Master's degree in the USC programmes Master of Business Administration, Master of International Business or Master of Management.  

Certificate of Global Competence 

The Certificate  of Global Competence offers students the opportunity to acquire additional skills in the areas of inter- and transculturality as part of their regular studies. 
 
The certificate, issued in addition to the Master's degree allows students to acquire an additional competence profile; an advantage in an application process that should not be underestimated. 

Factsheet Double Degree (PDF, 87 KB)

The programme was developed in cooperation with the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Science (OST) but the operative implementation is essentially carried out independently at each study location. The cooperation promotes quality development and opens up additional study options, especially in the elective modules and the international corporate/business development module, and thus facilitates the exchange of Bernese and St. Gallen students. 

Projects + theses

Bachelor, Master and Diploma theses

Master's theses can be searched in Swissovery. 

Science for Practice: Your First Publication 

On the basis of very good empirical work from the Master's programme (academic practice projects and master’s theses), the renowned SpringerGabler Verlag aims to publish a book every year.  This contains articles that are jointly written by the students and their supervisors ("tandem publications"). The contributions are also available for download in the Springer database.

Requirements + Admission

The Master's programme in Business Administration is aimed at all graduates of a Bachelor's programme in Business Administration or a related programme. Applicants must attend an obligatory counselling interview to be admitted to the programme.

Conditions of admission 

The entry competences for the Master's programme are basically the same as the final competences of a Bachelor's in Business Administration, regardless of the chosen specialisation. 

If a related degree programme is available (e.g. Business Informatics, Industrial Engineering and Management, etc.), the following requirement must be met: 

  • The Bachelor's / FH diploma is worth 180 ECTS credits with at least 60 ECTS credits from  the business and economics modules    

The final decision on admission is made by the head of the degree programme. 

In the case of university degrees, proof of six months practical work experience in the subject area (business administration) must also be provided. 

Foreign applicants 

Foreign degrees must be equivalent to a Swiss Bachelor's or FH diploma. The relevant examination is carried out by the head of the degree programme. 

Language skills 

Very good German and good English skills are required. 
Lessons are held in German. If you are not German native speaker, you should have the language competence of  at least C1 level (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat C1). 
Specialist literature and parts of the teaching (e.g. study trip) may also be in English. 

Obligatory consultation 

Once you have registered, we will contact you to arrange an appointment for a counselling interview with the head of the study programme. If required, the interview can also be held before registration.

Graduation + Prospects

The orientation of the Master's programme to the Corporate/Business Development Cycle has proven its worth over the past ten years. The Master's degree qualifies graduates for very demanding specialist and, above all, management functions which do not define themselves as industry-specific but can set a clear professional focus in the CBD context by choosing an individual focus for the master's thesis.

Possible employers are medium-sized and larger companies, public administration and non-profit organisations. The career prospects are excellent (according to our alumni surveys, 100% of graduates find suitable employment within 4 months). According to a recent evaluation of the FH Schweiz salary database, graduates earn significantly more than Bachelor's graduates, but also than the average of master's graduates in business degree programmes. Your studies at the BFH Business School therefore "pay off" for you in every respect.

Title + degree

Students who complete the Master's programme can bear the title "Master  of Science BFH in Business Administration with specialisation in Corporate/Business Development".  

The Master's degree is federally recognised, compatible with Europe and facilitates international mobility in the labour market or further academic education.  

In addition to the MSc in Business Administration, you can also earn a double degree to obtain the title "Master of Business Administration (MBA) from USC", "Master of International Management from USC" or "Master of Management from USC" .  

You can also acquire various certifications during your studies, such as the Certificate of Global Competences, SAP, or Hermes 5.  

Job description + prospects

After completing a Master's programme, you can work in many promising professional fields. Professional fields of activity are:

  • Business development manager
    (e.g. project manager corporate / business development)
  • Business consultant / analyst
    (internal/external management consultancy, strategy development)
  • Head of complex projects
    (e.g. interdisciplinary, international)
  • General management functions in small and medium-sized companies or in business units / profit centres of large companies etc.

Registration + Organisation

Have you decided to study at the Bern University of Applied Sciences? Then do not hesitate and register now! With online registration you will always have an overview of the procedure

Compulsory documents for online registration 

  • Passport-sized photo

  • Copy of passport or ID (back and front)

  • CV/Resumé (in simple tabular form)

  • Academic & professional certificates (including high school, university and vocational certificates with grades)

  • Letter of motivation 

  • Ex-matriculation confirmation

When registering for the master's programme, the degree of the first level (Bachelor's or equivalent degree) and the Transcript of Records (ToR) must be submitted.

Foreign Previous Education /Related Previous Education

  • Passport-sized photo
  • Copy of passport or ID (back and front)
  • CV/Resumé (in simple tabular form)
  • Proof of English language skills min. C1
  • Comparable foreign university degree with at least 30 ECTS credits in business and economics subjects (Bachelor Diploma)
  • Letter of motivation
  • Ex-matriculation confirmation

An incomplete dossier will be rejected for completion or improvement. A short grace period is granted, indicating that the application will be deemed withdrawn if it is not resubmitted within the time limit set.

Credits earned in Master's degree programmes at other universities can be credited if the content is the same. Crediting existing continuing education achievements and professional experience is possible.

The detailed provisions on the credit transfer options can be found in the study and examination regulation.

Typical semester courses can be seen in the academic year structure of the BFH Wirtschaft.

Academic Year Structure

The block week in the first Master's semester takes place in week 41 with modules from Monday to Thursday (Friday/Saturday are free of classes this week). There are no block courses in the second and third semesters. Block courses in the fourth semester (study trip, elective modules) are announced at the beginning of the third semester.

Examinations that have not been passed can be retaken (refer to schedule) in the Master's programme, thus avoiding extensions of the study period.

Academic year structure MSc Business Administration (in German)

Academic year structure MSc Business Administration Enlarge image
Academic year structure MSc Business Administration (in German) (PDF, 125 KB)

Fees

Application (per application)* / Matriculation**

CHF 100.–

Tuition fee (per semester)

CHF 750.–

Tuition fee for intemational students*** (per semester)

CHF 950.–

Performance assessment (per semester)

CHF 80.–

Material fees**** (per semester)

CHF 95.–

Voluntary contribution to the student body (per semester)

CHF 15.–

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

CHF 24.–

Costs for study trip (approx.) 

CHF 1000.– to 2000.–

*plus CHF 10 processing fee for payment via payment slip / paper invoice.
**If the registration leads to enrolment, the registration fee will be credited as the enrolment 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.
****excl. costs for teaching materials, specialist literature, consumables, etc.

Swiss students have to complete compulsory service while studying too. Make sure you start planning and coordinating your studies and compulsory service early.

We strongly encourage you to complete basic military training and your first block of civilian service before starting your studies. If you complete these activities during your studies, you may miss classes. As a result, the duration of your programme may increase.

General information on recruitment and civilian service

Advice

You can get help with coordinating your studies and your compulsory service from our team of advisers.

Information events + advice

Would you like to get to know us better?

We regularly hold information events on the Master of Science in Business Administration.

If you have any questions, please contact the head of the study program directly for an individual consultation.

The information events are held in German and can be found here

Student counseling

If you have any questions regarding admission, study content or the compatibility of studies, career and private life, please contact the head of the study programme or BFH Business School’s administration.

For further information

Administration Business School

Location + Facilities

The campus at Brückenstrasse 73 in Bern is in the Marzili quarter, within walking distance of Bern's old town and the main railway station.

Facilities Brückenstrasse 73

Getting here

  • Brückenstrasse can be reached from Bern train station in 10 minutes on foot. 
  • From Bundeshaus-West, the Marzili funicular railway travels down into the Marziliquartier located on the river Aare. Brückenstrasse is located 450 meters away from the station at the bottom of the line. 
  • In the evenings (from 20.37), the number 30 bus runs between the train station and the Marziliquartier (Dampfzentrale stop). 

Directions by car: 

  • Take motorway exit 12 Bern-Ostring and travel towards Zentrum. On Freudenbergerplatz, turn right on to Ostring. At the roundabout, take the second exit on to Thunstrasse. At Thunplatz (roundabout), take the second exit on to Jungfraustrasse. At the end of Jungfraustrasse, take a left on to Marienstrasse. Take the right turn on to Schwellenmattstrasse. Travel over the Dalmazibrücke bridge, take the fourth exit on the roundabout on to Aarstrasse, make a right turn on to Brückenstrasse. 
  • We regret that no parking spaces can be provided for students.

Contact

Bern University of Applied Sciences
Business School
Brückenstrasse 73
CH-3005 Bern

Phone        +41 31 848 34 00
Email          business@bfh.ch