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

Business Information Technology

Advise and support companies in their digital transformation and acquire further skills for a specialist or management career.

The study programme: 

  • is aimed at graduates of a Bachelor's programme in business information technology, business administration, industrial engineering or computer science 
  • offers a management-oriented perspective in dealing with digitalization, 
  • deepens your knowledge of business and the use of digital tools in companies 
  • conveys scientifically sound and practice-oriented knowledge in a part-time course of study 
  • opens up attractive development prospects in professional fields that are in high demand 
  • is a cooperation with the OST Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Science and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts 

Please note this degree programme is offered in German. 

Master of Science Business Information Technology

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Master of Science (MSc)
  • Specialisations None
  • Mode of study Work or family obligations while studying possible up to 50%
  • Start date Calendar week 38 (no start date in spring)
  • Application deadline May 15 - guaranteed study place.
    Applications after that date will be considered no later than July 31, if places are available.
  • ECTS credits 90 ECTS credits
  • Teaching language German (strong English skills required)
  • Location Zurich, Bern
  • School Business School

Contact

Downloads (in German)

  • Programme Handbook

Studienführer MSc Wirtschaftsinformatik

Content + Strucutre

The Master's programme in Business Information Systems is starting annually in the autumn semester. The programme is designed for students who are working part-time. Classroom courses are generally held on the two teaching days, Monday and Tuesday. The course content was developed in response to a clear market need and in close cooperation with the business and IT community.

Portrait

The Master's programme in Business Information Technology provides you with sound skills to take on demanding specialist and management tasks in information technology after completing your studies and to approach these with the necessary entrepreneurial thinking. 

Training objectives

The Master's programme in Business Information Technology qualifies you: 

  • to design digital business models and implement them both organisationally and technologically  

  • to design a sustainable enterprise architecture in line with the company’s strategy 

  • to design IT architectures for the optimal support of business goals, for planning, implementation, and operation of application systems 

  • to build agile, process-oriented organisations with the help of appropriate information and communication systems 

  • to manage complex programmes and projects in a methodical way  

  • to take on general management tasks in the fields of organisation and IT. 

Type of study + duration

With its four-semester structure, the Master's programme is designed as a part-time programme.  

Structure of the study programme

The Master's programme is divided into four module areas: 

  • Core modules 

  • Profile-building and general elective modules 

  • Scientific work and projects 

  • Master’s thesis 

Core modules 

This section contains modules that impart essential competencies at the Master's level. The modules in this area are divided into the following module groups: 

  • Digital Transformation  

  • Digital Enterprise Management 

  • Data Driven Enterprise 

Elective modules 

In this area, the module groups are subsumed, which you put together individually within certain boundaries. The module groups are arranged according to subject areas: by selecting the suitable modules, you can choose to specialise in health (Digital Health), production (Digital Manufacturing), financial services (Digital Finance), or Information Technology (General Business IT).  
 
Certain elective modules are declared either compulsory or not permissible depending on your respective Bachelor's degree and other qualifications,. For example, students with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration must take some  or all modules from the subject area of General Business IT. Conversely, graduates of a BSc programme 
in Computer Science or Business Information Technologycannot choose modules in the subject area  of General Business IT. In a compulsory entrance interview with the head of the degree programme, it is determined which modules are compulsory or may not be taken.  

Scientific work and projects 

The modules in this module area provide  the practical application of the acquired theoretical knowledge from the core or compulsory elective modules. Based on an introduction to research methods specific to Business Information Technology, such as Design Science, scientific methods are practised and implemented in research and innovation projects. 

Master's Thesis 

The Master's programme cumulates in the Master's thesis. In this individual thesis, students demonstrate that they are able to correctly and purposefully apply the professional and  methodological competencies acquired in the course of their studies.  

Module descriptions (in German) (PDF, 1 MB)

As part of the programme, students have the opportunity to do an exchange semester at a partner university. It would be preferable if the exchange semester took place during the 3rd semester. 

You can find detailed information on the website of our International Office.  

The MSc in Business Information Technology is a cooperation degree programme of 

Projects + theses

Bachelor, Master and Diploma theses 

Bachelor's and Master's theses can be searched in Swisscovery. 

Requirements + Admission

Admission to the Master's programme in Business Information Systems is decided by the programme management in an admissions procedure. You must fulfil the following criteria:

Conditions of admission 

In a defined admissions procedure, the programme management decides on admission to the Master's programme in Business Information Systems. Applicants must fulfil the following criteria: 

  • Proof of a university degree at Bachelor’s level in the fields of business information technology, business administration, industrial engineering, or computer science  

  • Graduates with a different Bachelor's degree can also be admitted to the Master's programme. Lack of entry competencies must be made up for, the type andextent will be defined during an admission interview  

  • BSc degree with an average grade of 4.5 

  • High motivation and achievement potential 

Auditors and guest students 

All information including the registration form can be found under Registration + Organisation, section auditors and guest students 

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.

Obligatory counselling interview 

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. Please contact the head of the degree programme directly at any time. 

Graduation + Prospects

The consecutive Master’s in Business Information Systems is a science-based and at the same time practice-oriented advanced technical and management education. The Master's programme creates the prerequisites for successful professional development in the diverse ICT industry as well as in management consultancies, or in business and IT areas of companies.

The systematic combination of scientific methods and practical know-how in the course of study enables graduates of the Master's programme to find systematic solutions to problems in new environments and in a multidisciplinary context, and to develop and implement digital business models.

Title + degree

Students who complete the Master's programme can bear the title "Master of  Science (MSc) in Business Information Systems".  

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

Career prospects 

Master's graduates have excellent career development and promotion opportunities. For example, they are open to challenging specialist tasks and management functions in information and process management, software development, and evaluation. They can take on project management and organisational development tasks in companies or work as business analysts. Possible employers are software providers, management consultancies, or strategically relevant organisational areas of profit and non-profit organisations in all industries. 

Registration + Organisation

If you think you would like to study at Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), then please do not delay. Register now! By registering online you’ll easily be able to see the progress of your application process.

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.

Enrolment deadline

May 15 - guaranteed study place.

Applications after that date will be considered no later than July 31, if places are available.

Request of prior academic qualifications 

15.8. (before start of lectures) 

Last withdrawal of application

 31.7.

Official start of semester

 1.8.

Induction event

First day of classes in calendar week 38

Lectures

calendar week 38

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.) 
Please note:
only for Master of Science in Business Administration and 
Master of Science in Digital Business Administration

CHF 1000 - 3000.–

 

 


* 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 2018/9 autumn semester.
In addition to the above costs, charges will also be levied for various study-related resources, such as photocopies, literature/books and internet access. Students will also be expected to have a Notebook computer and broadband internet access at their disposal. Students who leave the programme in mid-semester will be required to pay the full fees and charges for the semester.

Grants

There are legal stipulations that provide for scholarships for those studying at Bern University of Applied Sciences. Very helpful information on the scholarships available in Switzerland can be found at educa.ch.

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 Information Technology.
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

Classroom instruction takes place in Zurich (Sihlpost).

The modules "aF+E cases and exercises" and "aF+E projects" are attended by students at the BFH.

Students determine the working locations for the Master's thesis in consultation with the supervising lecturers.

Bern, Brückenstrasse 73

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

Sihlpost Training Centre 

The Sihlpost educational centre is centrally located right next to Zurich's main railway station and can be reached from many major cities in German-speaking Switzerland within an hour by public transport. 

Arrival by public transport 

We recommend that you use public transport.  The Sihlpost is located directly next to Zurich main station. Please use the staircase "Sihlpost/Europaallee". 

Directly in front of the Sihlpost is the tram/bus stop "Sihlpost/HB", which  is served by tram lines  3 and 14 and bus line 31.  

The entrance is at the back of the Sihlpost at Sihlpostgasse  2, 8004 Zurich.  

Zürich Sihlpost