International Business Administration

After graduating, you will be a generalist with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between business and society. Your experience with intercultural cooperation will be a major plus as you enter the national and international labour market.

Ready for leadership and expert roles?

You will have great job prospects with a Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration.

Depending on your area of specialisation, you may find work in financial controlling, finance, accounting, strategic planning, business development, marketing and sales or HR management.

By working closely with international students, the programme will equip you with the language and intercultural skills that are critical in today’s labour market.

Further study – Master of Science in (Digital) Business Administration

With a Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration, you may enrol in a master’s degree programme at BFH. Depending on the programme, you will continue to prepare for a demanding and fulfilling career. You may later enter management, become a digital change-maker or take on a central role for the digital future of your company.

See Master of Science in Business Administration
See Master of Science in Digital Business Administration
See Master of Science in Business Information Technology

Full-time or part-time?

Both are possible: full-time students typically complete the programme in three years (or six semesters). The workload is comparable to a full-time job. Lectures are usually held from Monday to Friday.

Part-time students typically complete the programme in four years (or eight semesters). Extensions are possible.

During the first three semesters, lectures take place all day Monday and Tuesday. From the fourth semester on, attendance depends on your chosen modules and area of specialisation (approx. 2 days per week).

During Special Weeks and exam periods, certain obligatory sessions may be held from Monday to Saturday. There are no obligatory sessions held during lecture-free periods. 

The degree programme is modular in structure, meaning different topics will be addressed in various modules.

During your foundational studies, you will attend modules on basic business concepts, intercultural skills and business English. Beyond a handful of elective modules during your advanced studies, you will have the opportunity to build your own individual profile from a large number of optional, elective and specialisation modules.

Your entry requirements

You will be admitted to the programme:

• with a vocational baccalaureate with a federal vocational education and training (VET) diploma in one of the related professions/fields or one year of full-time employment in one of the related professions/fields

• Gymnasial baccalaureate plus one year of full-time employment in one of the related professions/fields

• Specialised baccalaureate plus a yearlong, full-time internship and/or employment 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

Applicants from abroad must have an equivalent degree (as per the swissuniversities regulations) plus one year of full-time employment in a related profession/field.

List of related professions

Before applying to BFH, please check with the Swiss embassy in your country about regulations and the process of applying for a student visa. In some countries, school and university degrees must be notarised before they can be submitted to the Swiss embassy. The notarisation process can take up to 10 weeks. When applying to BFH Business School from these countries, you must include copies of the certified documents with your other application forms.

Language skills

Instruction is conducted in English.

Students should demonstrate at least B2-level proficiency, though we recommend C1.

Application deadlines

Start date: calendar week 38
Induction day (compulsory): first day of calendar week 37 
Request for credit transfer: 15 August
Deadline to withdraw application: 31 July

Start your studies in autumn

Apply by 31 July (place guaranteed until 31 March). 

If you need to apply for a visa, please register by the end of March.

Brief explanation of online application

Online applications only.
Our Online Application Guide explains how it works, step by step.

Mandatory requirements:

• ID or passport
• Photo that meets international passport requirements

Other documents (certificates, etc.)

• Diplomas and leaving certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, university entrance qualification, Abitur or upper secondary level qualification)
• Swiss federal VET certificate with grades (if available)
• Employer references and/or internship certificates
• Curriculum vitae
• Additional documents may be required, depending on your educational background

Marzili

Brückenstrasse 73, 3005 Bern

We generally recommend travelling by bus or on foot.

There are no parking spaces available for students. Please use the public parking facilities.

Travel by bus and on foot:

• Brückenstrasse is an approx. 10-minute walk from Bern railway station.
• The «Marzilibahn» funicular descends into the Marzili district from the upper station (Bundeshaus-West). Brückenstrasse is around 450 metres from the lower station.
• In the evening (from 8.37pm), bus line 30 runs between the railway station and the Marzili district (Dampfzentrale stop).

Facilities

Our green campus offers a wide range of facilities.

• Library: self-checkout is available to students around the clock.
• Cafeteria: the cafeteria is open to students year-round. There is a full range of food and drink on offer during the semester, while vending machines are available during breaks.