Circular Economy

You want to make your business more sustainable and reduce your resource consumption? In this specialist course you will learn how to develop and implement circular business models.

Act sustainably: Our course is aimed at professionals and managers who want to apply the concept of Circular Economy (CE) in their strategies, business models and operations.

  • You will learn about the concept of the Circular Economy and how it works in practice.
  •  You will learn about new and proven CE theories, models and tools and how to apply them.
  • You will make your company, non-profit organisation or administration body more circular and thus more sustainable.
  • You will share ideas with other participants and make use of their suggestions.

Factsheet

  • Degree/Certificate Specialist course
  • Duration 5 course days and 1 refresher day
  • Schedule Dates are visible on the German site version
  • Application deadline 6 weeks before start, later registration also possible if places are available
  • ECTS credits No or 4 ECTS credits, depending on admission
  • Costs CHF 2,850 / 1,000*
    *If you commit (prior to the start of specialist course) to present your circular economy project during the refresher day the price will be reduced to CHF 1,000. This is how the continuing education of the BFH Business School wants to contribute to the circular economy transition.
  • Teaching language German
  • Location Bern, Schwarztorstrasse 48
  • School Business School
  • Next session Dates are visible on the German site version

To register, please visit the German website. 

Content + structure

Portrait

Climate change is forcing organisations to adapt their strategies, business models and processes. The concept of the circular economy focuses on solutions that make optimal use of resources and allow those resources to be recovered following their use, in a sustainable, circular, value-added cycle.

Successful implementation of the circular economy concept requires extensive changes to product design, business models and the organisation, which often introduces a certain degree of complexity. In the Circular Economy specialist course, you will become acquainted with application-based concepts, methods and tools of the circular economy. Using practical examples, exercises and discussions, we will show you how you too can make your organisation more circular. The Circular Economy specialist course will empower you to embark on the sustainable transformation of your organisation and enable you to make an active contribution to a more sustainable economy and society.

Learning outcomes

  • You will understand the concepts, context, methods and tools involved in sustainable company management with regard to the circular economy and will be able apply these in practice.
  • You will question existing models and world views in order to develop a sustainable way of thinking and acting.
  • You will understand how important product design is to the success of the circular economy and be able to identify the need for action where specific products are concerned.
  • You will set out visions and strategies and develop a road map to a circular organisation in dialogue with members of the executive or administrative board.
  • You will understand circular business models in relation to both material products and services and will be able to develop, implement and evolve your own circular business models independently.
  • You will understand the significance of company values and be in a position to recognise omissions in their definition.
  • You will draw up a plan to transform your organisation from its current status to a functional, circular business.

The course consists of three blocks, which are based on the questions ‘Why?’, ‘What?’ and ‘How?’:

1. Why do we need sustainable business models such as the ‘circular economy’?

  • Introduction to the principles of sustainable management
  • The latest scientific evidence regarding climate change, resource shortages and sustainability
  • The impact on my organisation’s current and future strategies

2. What is a ‘circular economy’?

  • Concept and implementation of the circular economy at organisational level (internal organisation, cross-industry cooperation, etc.)
  • Intelligent product design for a circular organisation (lifespan, ease of repair, modularity, etc.)
  • New framework for my business model (lease models, product as a service, sharing economy, etc.)

3. How is the ‘circular economy’ implemented?

  • Experience the circular economy in action (company visit, guest lecture)  
  • Adaptation and implementation of CE in your own organisation (action and development plans)

You will benefit from effective teaching approaches that will advance your professional and personal development:

  • Lectures, tutorials, exchange of experience
  • Use of MS Teams as a student platform
  • Presentations and technical discussions
  • Group work and action learning
  • Study of examples with reflection, case studies
  • Field trips
  • Networking and exchange with lecturers and participants

Successful completion of this specialist course requires regular attendance and active participation. If you are interested in earning ECTS credits, you must prepare and present an action plan for a personal project. Your grading will be based on the specified criteria.

To earn 4 ECTS credits, you must pass the competency assessment.

Title + qualification

Lecturers

Our lecturers are proven experts with extensive practical and theoretical knowledge in their subject areas. They have at least a university degree plus many years of experience in higher education. 

The course is run in cooperation with Rytec, a company with many years of practical experience in the implementation of circular models.

Requirements + admission

This specialist course is aimed at specialists and executives from the worlds of business, public services and NGOs who are interested in learning more about sustainability and expanding their knowledge of the circular economy.

Admission requirements

You do not need to meet any specific admission requirements to participate in this specialist course.

Language skills

German

Organisation + registration

To register, please visit the German website. 

Documents required for registration

You can register online via registration form. For registration we require following documents (in PDF format, max. 1 MB per document): 

  • Diplomas 

  • Curriculum Vitae 

  • Passport-sized photo (in JPG format) 

Please upload these documents even if you have already submitted them for another application. 

Organisational aspects of the specialist course

The basic schedule comprises five course days over the period of one semester. This is followed by one refresher day, where participants will discuss the problems and successes they experienced when implementing their action plans. The course will take place on the following days: Block 1: 04/05 May 2021 Block 2: 11/12 May 2021 Completion: 26 May 2021 Refresher: 01 November 2021

CHF 2,850 / 1,000*

If you commit (prior to the start of specialist course) to present your circular economy project during the refresher day the price will be reduced to CHF 1,000. This is how the continuing education of the BFH Business School wants to contribute to the circular economy transition.

Location + facilities