1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL
  3. Studies
  4. All our degree programmes
  5. Business Administration
See table of contents See table of contents

Business Administration

Ready to tackle the ins-and-outs of sustainable business management: build the toolbox you need for a successful career with a bachelor in Business Administration.

This degree programme provides you with big-picture understanding of the entrepreneurial, social, political and technological challenges facing the business world today. Take an expert, considered and forward-looking approach to analysing and managing companies and their operating environments.

Busy with work or family commitments? Enrol part-time to balance your studies and other obligations.

We analyse the major social questions of our time and look for answers in the corporate context. Prospects for the future – with our BSc in Business Administration.

Begin your studies in autumn 2025!

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Business Administration
  • Specialisations Accounting & Controlling
    Banking & Finance
    Digital Business Management
    Digital Government
    Human Resource Management
    Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    Sustainable Business
    Global Management
    Marketing
    Real Estate Management
    Business & Digital Law
  • Mode of study Full-time (6 semesters), part-time (8 semesters)
  • Start date Calendar week 38 and one orientation day in calendar week 37
  • Application deadline 31 July (place guaranteed until 31 March)
  • ECTS credits 180 ECTS credits
  • Teaching language German (around 80%), English (around 20%)
  • Location Bern
  • School Business School
  • Next info event 12 December 2024, 12pm - 1pm, online (MS Teams)
    21 January 2025, 5.30pm - 6.30pm, Brückenstrasse 73, Bern
    18 February 2025, 12pm - 1pm, online (MS Teams)

Contact

Downloads

Areas of study

Become a highly qualified generalist with a bachelor in Business Administration: you will acquire the skills to navigate new issues and working areas with confidence and use your vision in the interests of sustainable corporate success.

What you stand to gain from this degree programme

You will gain a broad foundation of knowledge with a BSc in Business Administration, acquiring indispensable skills to hold your own in the digital world, learning to adapt quickly to new situations and developing your teamwork skills. Our wide range of specialisation options will allow you to enhance your personal profile, equipping you ideally to shape the future of companies.

Specialisations

Tailor your degree course to your interests, beyond your advanced studies. You can choose two areas of specialisation alongside basic modules to compile your individual portfolio.

Programme overview

You

  • will become versed in the latest accounting standards as well as current developments in the area of taxes and controlling.
  • will learn to implement a host of digital tools – all in cooperation with Switzerland’s top auditors.

You

  • will gain a solid understanding of financial economics and financial management, particularly in the areas of wealth, asset and risk management.
  • will use the quantitative methods and tools integrated in your training to help prepare you for the increasingly digitalised world of finance.

You

  • will bring to bear your business expertise in areas where digital technologies are paving the way for future new business models.
  • will gain a thorough understanding of data management, cloud services and algorithms and other key components of the digital economy.

You

  • will address the changes and responses in the public sector triggered by digitalisation.
  • will gain expertise in digital democracy and participation and learn how data and infrastructure can power transformation, innovation and related processes of change.

You

  • will have the opportunity to apply your foundational understanding of management, expand your areas of expertise and build a more global mindset.
  • will gain practical skills as you negotiate the complexities of international markets and different cultures.

You

  • will gain occupational competencies in the field of human resource management, learn about suitable tools and critically evaluate their uses.
  • will also reflect on your own ways of thinking and acting as well as how to deal with challenges.

You

  • will learn how to create value through innovation and make strategic decisions that benefit both business and society.

You

  • will gain a sophisticated understanding of consumers and their response to strategic and tactical marketing decisions.
  • will acquire a robust skill set to navigate this diverse and interdisciplinary field.

You

  • will learn about sustainability issues and how they are linked to such diverse fields as international management, innovation, entrepreneurship and digitalisation.

You

  • will learn to review, analyse and develop real estate portfolios over the entire life cycle.
  • will acquire an understanding of the structure and players in the Swiss real estate market.
  • will know the essential characteristics of real estate management with the specialisations investment, development and valuation.

You

  • will learn how a start-up is founded.
  • will learn how the state regulates our economy.
  • can protect data in the age of AI.

Combining theory and practice in research projects

Teaching, practice and research are closely connected at BFH. During your studies, you may gain experience in a range of research fields.

In your final year, you will write your bachelor’s thesis, in which you take a rigorous scientific approach to exploring a (usually practical) problem. The bachelor’s thesis should ideally reflect your area of specialisation.

Overview of research and research projects at the Business School

Career prospects

With a bachelor in Business Administration, you will be thoroughly prepared for a career in management or as a specialist in business, administration or non-profit organisations.

Ready for challenging specialist and leadership roles?

Following graduation, you will work in regional, national and international organisations such as banks, insurance groups, trust companies or management consultancies.

You might join a start-up or perform functions in the public administrations of Swiss municipalities, cantons or the federal government.

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

With a Bachelor of Science in 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

Duration + Content

In the bachelor’s degree programme in Business Administration, you can focus fully on your studies or pursue them part-time while you work. You may work 50-60% over the course of eight semesters. You may also opt for a lighter workload and longer programme duration.

Full-time or part-time

Both are possible: Full-time students typically complete the programme in three years (or six semesters). Extensions are possible. 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. 

Study schedule

The degree programme is modular in structure, meaning different topics will be examined in individual modules. Each module is assigned a certain workload, expressed in ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits (one ECTS credit corresponds to a 30-hour workload).

The compulsory modules provide you with a broad basic knowledge of business administration. You design most of the main study programme yourself, selecting from a large number of elective and optional modules. This allows you to develop your own individual profile. You will round off your studies with your bachelor’s thesis.

Curriculum (in German) Enlarge image
Curriculum (in German)

Module descriptions

Additional opportunities

We partner with numerous top universities worldwide. You may study abroad at another university for one or two semesters. Courses taken during your exchange can be credited towards the Swiss degree, pending approval by the head of your degree programme.

We also offer double degree programmes with selected universities. You will spend your final year of studies at the partner university and graduate with a degree from both institutions.

More information can be found here:

The «Certificate of Global Competence» gives you the opportunity to gain skills in the areas of inter- and transculturalism as part of your regular studies.

The «Certificate of Engagement» provides proof of the time and effort you dedicated to the BFH Business School.

The supplementary «Certificate of Engagement in Sustainability» recognises your social commitment and additional effort put into expanding your knowledge and skills pertaining to sustainability.

You may participate in the Business School mentoring programme during your studies.

More information: Mentoring programme

Admission requirements

There are many paths leading to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. The study programme is primarily aimed at students who hold a basic commercial training qualification.

Your entry requirements

You will be admitted to the programme:

  • with a vocational baccalaureate with a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in one of the related professions or one year of full-time employment in one of the related professions

  • with a general baccalaureate plus one year of full-time employment in one of the related professions

  • with a specialised baccalaureate plus a one-year full-time internship in one of the related professions

  • with a higher technical school degree with a Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in one of the related professions or one year of full-time employment in one of the related professions

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 (PDF, 77 KB)

Supplementary information on admission

Instruction is conducted primarily in German. Non-native speakers must show proof of C1-level proficiency or higher.

Some technical literature will be in English; likewise there will some instruction in English. We recommend at least B2-level. 

We offer preparatory courses in: 

  • company accounting
  • financial accounting
  • Mathematics

Preparatory courses are conducted in German. 

The registration and the detailed timetables and contents will be published around the end of April.

Entry into a higher semester is possible

  • if you are a current or former student at a different university in the same field of study and would like to continue your studies at BFH (depending on the level you have reached)
  • if you hold an equivalent degree from Switzerland or another country
  • for graduates of higher technical schools with the following titles:

Please indicate your wish to enrol in an advanced semester in the comments section of our online application and contact us to clarify your options.

Have you completed some studies at another university in Switzerland or abroad? Before starting at BFH, you may request a credit transfer and equivalency assessment. This request will be considered only after your admission to the programme.

When registering online, please tick the box «Requesting credit transfer». The following supplementary documents must be submitted after registration:

  • Proof of completed modules (certificates)
  • Module descriptions
  • Curriculum

Further information is available by contacting business@bfh.ch .

Application

Secure your place early.
You can always submit any missing documents later.

Application deadlines

Application deadline: 31 July (place guaranteed until 31 March)
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

Academic year structure (PDF, 33 KB)
Information on deadlines and procedures for withdrawing, terminating matriculation and taking a leave of absence (PDF, 108 KB)

Start your studies in autumn

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

Brief explanation of online application

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

Online Application Guide (PDF, 66 KB)

Application documents

You will need to make PDF or JPG copies of the following documents:

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

The costs for the programme comprise application, tuition and examination fees plus the cost of course materials and excursions.

The costs per semester are: 

CHF 964.– 
CHF 1'164.– for international students*

Detailed cost breakdown:

Application (per application)** / Matriculation***

CHF 100.–
Tuition fee (per semester)

CHF 750.–
Tuition fee for international students* (per semester)

CHF 950.–
Performance assessment (per semester)

CHF 80.–
Material fees (per semester)**** CHF 95.–

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

CHF 24.–
Voluntary contribution to the student body (per semester)

CHF 15.–

*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.
**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.
****excl. costs for teaching materials, specialist literature, consumables, etc.
Fees information sheet (PDF, 63 KB)

There are two ways to finance your studies: loans and grants. More information here:

Information page on educational grants

Advice + information

Still have questions about the programme? Get in touch or visit one of our information events.

Prof. Dr. Anja Habegger

  • Leiterin Lehre
  • +41 31 848 34 53
  • Show e-mail

Student Services Business School

  • +41 31 848 34 00
  • Show e-mail

Information event

Visit one of our information events and find out all about the degree programme, the admission requirements and your career prospects. Our students will share their experience of life at the university.

The information events are held in German. 

Location + facilities

Pursue your bachelor’s degree on our ‘green campus’ in Bern’s Marzili district, situated directly on the Aare River with a view of the Parliament Building.

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.