Master of Science

Engineering

As a student in the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) programme, you will join a research team and work on real-life projects.

Our network of industry partners and all seven national universities of applied sciences guarantees you access to the best engineering Switzerland has to offer.
Hands-on professional experience guaranteed when you join a research team and work on real-life projects.
Select one of four specialisations: Business Engineering and Production, Energy and Environment, Industrial Technologies, Information and Communication Technologies.
You may adjust specialisations to your personal needs while developing your skills in methodology and management.

The BFH Master of Science in Engineering (German/English/French)

Factsheet

Title/Degree Master of Science (MSc)
Specialisations Business Engineering and Production, Energy and Environment, Industrial Technologies, Information and Communication Technologies
Mode of study Full-time (at least 3 semesters), part-time (5–7 semesters)
Start date Calendar weeks 8 and 38
Application deadline 31. July (autumn semester)
31. January (spring semester)

ECTS credits 90 ECTS-Credits
Study language German/French/English
Location Bern, Biel, Burgdorf, Lausanne, Lugano, Zurich
Department Engineering and information technology

Contact

Programme Handbook

Master of Science in Engineering EN

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Order

Structure + Content

In addition to your regular coursework, as a student in the Master of Science in Engineering programme, you will join a research team and work on real-life projects.

Portrait

This degree qualifies you for a range of careers in research and development, production, logistics, or consulting in the private and public sectors. It prepares you to take on leadership roles in interdisciplinary projects.
Our training objectives are shaped by employer demands in business, industry and the public sector. Hands-on experience is central to this programme; you will join in on research projects and complete your master’s thesis in cooperation with a company in your field.

Learning outcomes

As a graduate of this master’s degree programme,

you will be a specialist in mathematics and a specific branch of engineering.
you will successfully apply your knowledge to calculations, simulations, analyses and verifications.
you will incorporate cutting-edge technology to develop products and processes.
you will employ both established and your own methods to examine complex cause-and-effect relationships.
you will be perfectly positioned to communicate and collaborate with international partners.
you will be able to lead your team or organisation toward solutions and implement these in the workplace.

Our programme prepares you to develop new products and services. It also equips you with the management skills and methodologies you need to grow businesses and organisations.

Specialisations + Areas of focus

The MSE comprises a broad range of specialisations that have been grouped across Switzerland into seven fields. You may pursue the Master of Science in Engineering at BFH-TI in four of these fields.

This specialisation represents the core of your studies. The name of your specialisation will be included in the Master of Science in Engineering degree title. You will work closely with an advisor to complete your specialisation at one of our five Master Research Units.

Energy and Environment

As a qualified specialist in Energy and Environment, you are an expert in energy and process engineering, environmental technology and renewable energy sources. You discover how to develop efficient processes and conserve resources. You hone your understanding of electrical engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics or heat and mass transfer.

Master Research Unit (MRU) Energy and Mobility | EM

Securing sustainable sources of energy and mobility is one of our key tasks as a society. There are three paths to success: carefully managing fossil fuels, creating new, environmentally friendly forms of energy and tapping into consumer potential for optimisation.
Our researchers are working to help achieve these energy management goals – from pioneering technologies for energy-efficient, low-emission propulsion systems, to developing renewable energy sources and safe vehicles for road rail.

You may choose between the following areas of specialisation:

Transportation: involving research into vehicle security and mechanics as well as combustion engines and emissions technology.
Energy Systems: involving research into decentralised and mobile energy systems as well as energy-efficient permanent magnet motors.

Both areas of specialisation draw upon the engineering expertise at BFH-TI. You will also take advantage of an infrastructure unique to Switzerland, with an emissions testing site and Dynamic Test Center (DTC). You will have access to laboratories for testing proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, photovoltaic system technologies and high voltage systems. Our Energy Storage Research Centre focuses on practical innovation and addressing concerns related to electrochemical energy storage.

Institute for Energy and Mobility Research IEM

Industrial Technologies

As a qualified specialist in Industrial Technologies, you learn to develop, manufacture, use and optimise technical products. These might include machines, vehicles, appliances, tools or systems. This area of specialisation hinges on electrical and electronic, and mechanical and mechatronic systems. You also use your mathematical skills for calculation, simulation, analysis and verification.

Master Research Units (MRU) Smart Industrial Technologies | SIT

Modern industrial technologies enable us to create products for consumer and industrial use, employing cutting-edge processes and manufacturing techniques. A range of different disciplines converge as we develop new products and production technologies. These might include additive manufacturing processes, new methods for developing materials, and intelligent automation with incorporated communications systems or simulation capabilities. You will gain hands-on experience in topics such as Industry 4.0, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and process optimisation.

We participate in engaging, practical projects and invite you to join our vibrant research community. Students join a research group and gain experience employing the latest innovations in the field. You may choose between the following areas of specialisation:

Applying laser technology: cutting and structuring surfaces, ensuring quality in measurement engineering, using fibre lasers in processing machinery.
Modifying materials: tempering materials or employing thin-film technologies (chemical and structural), executing plasma-supported processes.
Systems and processes in mechanical, manufacturing and printing engineering: mechatronic systems including automation by means of steering and bus systems, developing mobile embedded systems.
Product and financial risk management: assessing technical feasibility of products and processes, mastering the technical, socio-ecological (humans and the environment) and economic risks of manufacturing and application.

Master Research Units (MRU) Technologies in Sports and Medicine | TSM

Electronic devices have become a ubiquitous part of everyday life. Modern technologies and their applications should make life easier for the people using them. With this objective in mind, we pursue research in biomedical engineering and human interface technologies.
Our Human Interface Technologies specialisation covers cutting-edge technologies, such as computer perception and virtual reality, signal processing, sensor technology, biometrics and authentication processes as well as hardware algorithmics in microelectronics. Our Rehabilitation and Performance Technology specialisation explores methods to improve the rehabilitation process for individuals following an accident or illness.

Research results gathered by our computer perception and virtual reality teams have already been successfully integrated into applications in medicine, biometrics and consumer goods. In biometrics, we are currently developing authentication algorithms based on fingerprints and iris patterns employing ‘encapsulated biometry’. There is growing demand for boosted processing power and energy efficiency in hand-held devices. Our response: developing both hardware and software algorithms as microelectronic system-on-chip solutions.

Information and Communication Technologies

Our master’s ICT programme enables you to design and implement systems architecture. It prepares you to lead a team, taking responsibility for developing shared, interoperable software systems that can be built upon by future developers. Your team will implement cutting-edge development, simulation and modelling tools, administer systematic tests and focus on user experience. You will also be equipped to analyse IT systems for risk and recommend mitigating measures.

Master Research Units (MRU) Digital Society and Security | DSS

Our professional and private lives are increasingly shaped by services and applications that link information and communication technologies (ICT). The core skills of this MRU focus on this interplay between mobile communications, applications and (mobile) users.
Our Mobile Communication specialisation develops concepts and solutions for mobile applications with hardware and software components. We funnel these ideas and solutions into systems and everyday goods. This ֥’ubiquitous and pervasive computing’ exchanges and processes digital information continuously, whether in business transactions or our private life.

Our ICT Management specialisation gives you the skills to address burgeoning demand for increasingly mobile IT support along the value chain. This mobile support opens up new potential for higher productivity in businesses and institutions. This, however, can only be achieved with IT-trained management.

In our Security in the Information Society specialisation, we grapple with the problems and solutions related to IT security. Security leads to trust, and the solutions we develop in this specialisation allow users to put their trust in digitisation. In turn, this trust leads to successful digitisation in business and society that benefits us all.

Master Research Units (MRU) Technologies in Sports and Medicine | TSM

Electronic devices have become a ubiquitous part of everyday life. Modern technologies and their applications should make life easier for the people using them. With this in mind, we pursue research in biomedical engineering and human interface technologies.
Our Human Interface Technologies specialisation covers cutting-edge technologies, such as computer perception and virtual reality, signal processing, sensor technology, biometrics and authentication processes as well as hardware algorithmics in microelectronics. Our Rehabilitation and Performance Technology specialisation explores methods to improve the rehabilitation process following an accident or illness.
Research results gathered by our computer perception and virtual reality teams have already been successfully integrated into applications in medicine, biometrics and consumer goods. In biometrics, we are currently developing authentication algorithms based on fingerprints and iris patterns, with particular focus on ‘encapsulated biometry’ method.
There is also growing demand for boosted processing power and energy efficiency in hand-held devices. In response we are developing both hardware and software algorithms as microelectronic system-on-chip solutions.

Business Engineering and Production

This master’s degree programme trains you in developing and distributing mass-produced services or industry goods. You will specialise in designing and optimising the flow of goods, values and information. You will master specific methods and concepts from mathematics, information technology, business administration and management. Our Business Engineering and Production programme teaches engineering methods that you will use to analyse, plan and lead operational processes and systems.

Master Research Units (MRU) Engineering and Business Innovation | EBI

The boundaries between the real and digital worlds are becoming increasingly blurred, as is evident in many areas of the economy. Small, medium-sized and large companies are now benefiting from advances in digitisation, which boost efficiency along the value chain. Our research supports the everyday implementation of these technologies in the workplace.
In our Engineering and Business Innovation MRU, we train interface experts to devise and implement innovations in digitisation. You will learn to synthesise business, IT and technology in a business venture, paving the way for a successful digital future. This MRU expands upon the content covered in the BFH-TI bachelor’s degree programme in industrial engineering.

Our Engineering and Business Innovation MRU addresses aspects of digitisation in production and services, often referred to as ‘Industry 4.0’. You will learn the concepts and methods of innovation management, digital organisational transformation and data analysis with regard to products, services, processes and business models. As a graduate of this specialisation, you may go on to become a product, service or business model architect. Your systemic approach will enable you to generate, simulate, analyse and optimise technical and business innovations. Your solutions will help businesses transform the challenges of digitisation into opportunities.

Mode of study + Duration

Full-time: 3 semesters
Part-time: max. 7 semesters

Industry Fellowship Studies

Our university offers a specially designed programme for students working in a business related to their field. In the Fellowship master’s programme, you will attain 60 ECTS credits as a full-time student in the first year. In the second year, you will extend your thesis work over the course of two semesters.
During this time, you will be employed as a research associate at our school. Any projects you complete are done on behalf of your company, which, in turn, provides the school with a certain sum of money.

Industry Fellowship Master MSE BFH-TI (PDF, 398 KB)

Research Fellowship Studies

Our university also offers a specially designed programme for students whose studies are financed by a BFH-TI research laboratory. The programme structure resembles that of the Industry Fellowship Studies.

Curriculum + Modules

Our degree programme comprises various academic units, or modules. You will earn 90 ECTS credits (2,700 work hours) over the course of the programme. One ECTS credit equates to 30 work hours. Our master’s degree programme consists of two parts. The first is your basic training and accounts for approx. 1/3 of your studies. The second part is your elected specialisation and accounts for the remaining 2/3 of your studies.

Basic training

The Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences offer joint basic training courses at central locations in Lausanne and Zurich, with select offerings at Bern and Lugano. This training features three groups of theory modules. The abbreviations CM, TSM and FTP are based on the English names for the module groups and are used across Switzerland. Each module is worth three ECTS credits. You must select at least three modules from each group. Basic training covers a total of 11 core theory modules.

Technical and scientific specialisation modules | TSM
Technical and scientific specialisation modules provide you with subject-specific skills and knowledge.
Fundamental theoretical principles | FTP
These theory modules provide lasting intellectual capital and train you in abstract thinking.
Context modules | CM
Context modules complement your academic and technical knowledge with coursework in management, communication and culture.

You will select the modules that best fit your area of specialisation, advisor and personal interests.

Specialisation

You will complete your specialisation as part of a ‘Master Research Unit’, or MRU. Your future employment will align with your MRU.
Your specialisation work is worth 57 ECTS credits and consists of the following:

Projects 1/2
Master’s thesis (for a total of 51 ECTS credits)

You will undertake demanding projects in your area of specialisation to further your knowledge and experience. Your master’s thesis serves to demonstrate your ability to complete a comprehensive, independent project that meets our high standards for methodological, conceptual and scientific rigour.
You will also demonstrate your ability to defend your results convincingly, in both written and oral presentations. It is imperative that your specialisation projects and master’s thesis reflect current trends in the field. Projects are intended to contribute significant solutions to the field.

Supplementary courses (for a total of 6 ECTS credits)

Supplementary courses – such as seminars or colloquia – provide you with the opportunity to gain specialist knowledge in areas so specific that we cannot include them in the core theory modules.

Student mobility

Study abroad options are available during your master’s programme. These exchanges help to broaden your horizons. Some MRUs allow you to participate in international research projects as part of your specialisation. BFH-TI determines admission to exchange programmes and sets expectations for your academic output while abroad.

Diploma theses 2019

Our annual publication, the Book, appears every autumn. It contains student theses from our bachelor’s, master’s and continuing education programmes from that year. The Book is an impressive testimony to our graduates’ innovative power, initiative and motivation.

www.book.bfh.ch

Partners

Switzerland’s universities of applied sciences have come together to offer the Master of Science in Engineering degree programme. The MSE is the highest academic degree these universities confer.

The direction your course of study takes is determined by the field and Master Research Unit you select. You select modules and topics with your supervisor’s input.

BFH — Bern University of Applied Sciences — Master of Science in Engineering
Telefon +41 32 321 62 37

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Telefon +41 41 349 32 30

FHNW — University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Telefon +41 56 202 99 33

HES-SO — University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
Telefon +41 58 900 00 00

FHO — University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland
Telefon +41 71 280 83 83

ZHAW — Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Telefon +41 58 934 82 94

SUPSI — University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
Telefon +41 58 666 65 11

Eligibility + Entry

You must meet the following requirements for admission into the BFH Master of Science in Engineering:

Entry requirements

You must be a graduate of either a diploma or bachelor’s degree programme from a university of applied science. Your degree discipline must be related to your selected area of specialisation

Academic requirements

You must demonstrate above average academic performance to be considered.

Use the Excel sheet below to calculate your chances for admission to the Master of Science in Engineering programme at the BFH School of Engineering and Information Technology:

Qualifikation zur Master of Science in Engineering (XLSX, 36 KB)

We may consider individuals with similar credentials for admission to the programme.

Professional prerequisites

Students completing a bachelor’s degree in a technical field and who have relevant work experience, are eligible to apply to the master’s programme.

Skills + Abilities

A Master of Science in Engineering is the highest academic degree in engineering and information technology offered by Switzerland’s universities of applied sciences. The course therefore demands correspondingly high levels of commitment, flexibility and skill from students.

Language skills

English and German or French and English

Applying from abroad

We may consider individuals with similar credentials from foreign institutions who display strong academic performance for admission to the programme.

Exceptions

We may consider applicants with similar credentials for admission to the programme.
We may consider prospective students whose academic performance narrowly misses the mark, after they successfully complete an aptitude assessment.

Aptitude test + Admission procedure

The MSE admissions committee administers the aptitude assessment following a successful application. If necessary, we may also arrange for an admissions interview.

Qualification + Career prospects

With a Master of Science in Engineering, you will be prepared to take the lead on demanding projects and add your voice to the conversation in your field or organisation.

Title + Degree

Upon graduating from our university, you will receive your master’s degree and obtain the title Master of Science (MSc) in «Engineering with Specialisation in [name of your field]’»

Career prospects

MSE graduates are hired in demanding roles, whether in their area of specialisation or more generally within their field. Whether you are looking for a career in research and development, or to pursue a leadership position, your MSE will pave the way. In addition to expert knowledge in your field, you will have honed your skills in methodology and management. You will be able to think strategically, adapt quickly to new situations and take a practical, solution-focused approach.

Practicalities + Application

The earlier you apply, the more likely it is that we can guarantee your spot.

Dates + Deadlines

Programme start	Application deadlines
Calendar weeks 8	31 January
Calendar weeks 38	31 July

Fees + Funding

Learn more about tuition and examination fees as well as financial aid options.

Hier finden Sie die nötigen Informationen zur Finanzierung Ihres Studiums an der BFH. Nicht berücksichtigt sind die Kosten für die individuellen Lebenshaltungskosten.

Die Kosten für das Studium setzen sich aus Studien- und Prüfungsgebühren sowie aus Beiträgen u. a. für Lehrmittel und Exkursionen zusammen.

Kosten

Für Studium und Prüfungen an der BFH werden verschiedene Gebühren fällig.

Anmeldung (pro Anmeldung)*	CHF 100.–
Immatrikulation**	CHF 100.–
Studiengebühr (pro Semester)	CHF 750.–
Studiengebühr für Bildungsausländer/innen*** (pro Semester)	CHF 950.–
Prüfungsgebühr (pro Semester)	CHF 80.–
Gebühr für soziale und kulturelle Einrichtungen sowie für Sport (pro Semester)	CHF 24.–
Mitgliederbeitrag Verband Studierendenschaft der BFH (VSBFH) (pro Semester)	CHF 15.–

* zuzüglich CHF 10.– Bearbeitungsgebühr bei Bezahlung via Einzahlungsschein / Papierrechnung.
** Führt die Anmeldung zur Immatrikulation, wird die Anmeldegebühr als Immatrikulationsgebühr angerechnet.
***Als Bildungsausländer/innen gelten alle Personen mit ausländischer Staatsangehörigkeit, die zum Zeitpunkt des Erlangens des Hochschulzulassungsausweises ihren zivilrechtlichen Wohnsitz weder in der Schweiz noch im Fürstentum Liechtenstein hatten. Diese Regelung gilt ab Herbstsemester 2018/19.

Hinzu kommt ein Pauschalbetrag für Material, der je nach Studiengang unterschiedlich hoch ausfallen kann, sowie weitere Kosten für Lehrmittel, Fachliteratur, Verbrauchsmaterial, etc.

Die Anmeldegebühr wird nach der Online-Anmeldung zu gegebener Zeit in Rechnung gestellt und ist innert 10 Tagen zu begleichen. Bei Bezahlung via Einzahlungsschein / Papierrechnung wird eine Bearbeitungsgebühr von CHF 10.– erhoben. Erlass oder Rückerstattung, etwa im Fall einer Abmeldung oder Nichtteilnahme am Verfahren, ist ausgeschlossen.

Das Dossier wird erst nach Zahlungseingang bearbeitet.

Merkblatt Gebühren (PDF, 64 KB)

Stipendien, Darlehen und weitere Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten

Ausbildungsbeiträge. Ausbildungsbeiträge werden in Form von Stipendien und Darlehen vergeben. Stipendien sind einmalige oder wiederkehrende Beiträge, welche bei normalem Verlauf der Ausbildung nicht zurückbezahlt werden müssen. Darlehen sind einmalige oder wiederkehrende Beiträge, welche nach Abschluss der Ausbildung zurückgezahlt werden müssen.

Kantonale Stipendien

Für die Gewährung von Stipendien und Darlehen ist sowohl für Schweizer Studierende als auch für ausländische Studierende grundsätzlich derjenige Kanton zuständig, in dem die Eltern ihren steuerrechtlichen Wohnsitz haben.

Studierende, die seit mindestens zwei Jahren im Kanton Bern ihren steuerrechtlichen Wohnsitz haben, können sich um kantonale Stipendien und Darlehen bewerben. Anträge sind bei der Abteilung Ausbildungsbeiträge der Erziehungsdirektion einzureichen.

Weitere Informationen (inkl. Prognoserechner):

Auf den Websites ausbildungsbeiträge.ch, stipendium.ch bzw. European Funding Guide können die wichtigsten Informationen rund um das Stipendienwesen in der Schweiz bzw. im Ausland abgerufen werden.

Stiftungen und Fonds

Es gibt zudem zahlreiche private Stiftungen und Fonds, die Studierende finanziell unterstützen. Das elektronische Stiftungsverzeichnis des Eidgenössischen Departements des Innern bietet eine umfassende Übersicht mit Suchfunktion nach Stichworten (z. B. Student/innen, Forschung, Förderung etc.). Die verschiedenen kantonalen Stiftungsverzeichnisse bzw. private Stiftungen sind weitere mögliche Geldgeber.

Folgende Stiftungen richten sich spezifisch an BFH- bzw. Fachhochschulstudierende:

Balancing your studies and other commitments

Die Berner Fachhochschule BFH fördert die Vereinbarkeit von Studium, Berufstätigkeit und Betreuung von Angehörigen.

Die BFH bietet Studierenden und Mitarbeitenden eine beschränkte Anzahl Kitaplätze an. Interessierte Studierende und Mitarbeitende finden die Unterlagen auf dem BFH Intranet.

Die Preise sind einkommensabhängig und richten sich nach den kantonalen Tarifen gemäss der Verordnung über die Angebote der sozialen Integration (ASIV) des Kantons Bern. Die Anmeldung für einen Kitaplatz erfolgt über das Webformular im BFH Intranet.

Angehende Studierende und Mitarbeitende ohne Intranet-Zugriff wenden sich bitte an Frau Corinne Badertscher (Tel. 031 848 33 01, corinne.badertscher@bfh.ch). Es gibt keinen gesetzlichen Anspruch auf einen Kitaplatz.

Studierende müssen ihre Dienstpflicht auch während des Studiums wahrnehmen. Planen und koordinieren Sie Studium und Dienstpflicht frühzeitig.

Wir empfehlen Ihnen dringend, die Rekrutenschule und den Ersteinsatz im Zivildienst vor Beginn des Studiums vollständig zu absolvieren. Werden sie während des Studiums absolviert, hat dies Absenzen zur Folge und kann zur Verlängerung der Studiendauer führen.

Allgemeine Informationen zu Rekrutierung und Zivildienst

Beratung

Informationen zur Koordination von Studium und Dienstpflicht erhalten Sie von den Ansprechpersonen.

Application

Job/Family

Would you like to take a course at Bern University of Applied Sciences? Then apply now. By applying online, you’ll be kept up-to-date at every stage of the process.

If you have missed the registration deadline, the head of the relevant study programme will be happy to inform you whether subsequent registration is possible.

Required documents

Please submit the following documents in electronic format and as appropriate for your educational background (passport documentation: PDF/images: JPG):

ID or passport*
Passport photo according to international passport requirements*
Diplomas and leaving certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, university entrance qualification, Abitur or upper secondary level qualification)
Swiss Federal Certificate of Proficiency with grades
Employer reference and/or internship certificate
Curriculum vitae

* compulsory

Other documents may be required depending on your chosen programme and educational background, for example:

a portfolio of work samples
residence permit (if you’re applying from abroad)
etc.

If you’re applying for a master’s degree programme, you must submit the certificate for your first degree (bachelor’s or equivalent qualification), as well as a transcript of records.

Online application - At a glance (PDF, 66 KB)

Information

Attend one of our spring info sessions to learn more about the Master of Science in Engineering. Join students and professors for lunch and a tour of our laboratories to hear their personal take on our programme.