1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL
  3. Studies
  4. Engineering and Computer Science Passerelle scheme
See table of contents See table of contents

Engineering and Computer Science Passerelle scheme

The Passerelle scheme enables students to bridge the gap between a general baccalaureate, a specialised baccalaureate or a vocational baccalaureate in an unrelated profession on the one hand, and a university degree in engineering and computer science on the other hand.

Carasc Tibetan bridge, Monte Carasso (TI)

Start your Passerelle scheme in August 2025.

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Confirmation of completion (preliminary course) + confirmation of internship completion (company)
  • Specialisations None
  • Mode of study Preliminary course (3 months) + internship (9 months)
  • Start date August (week 33)
  • Application deadline 30 June 2025
    Later registration is possible subject to request.
  • ECTS credits None
  • Teaching language German and French
  • Location Biel and Burgdorf
  • School School of Engineering and Computer Science

Contact

Focus areas

To be admitted to a Swiss university of applied sciences, holders of a general baccalaureate, a specialised baccalaureate or a vocational baccalaureate in an unrelated profession must complete a one-year internship in the field. This is precisely what BFH’s Passerelle scheme offers you.

What you gain with the Passerelle scheme

  • You acquire important basics before starting your internship. You learn how to use common tools, methods and infrastructures.
  • You are ideally prepared for an instructive and rewarding internship.
  • You receive individual support and guidance during the preparatory phase leading up to your admission to the bachelor’s degree programme.

Career prospects

Make sure you get the best possible start to your career.

Ready for a bachelor’s degree programme

Upon successful completion of the Passerelle scheme, you are admitted on the chosen degree programme:

Duration + Content

The Passerelle scheme lasts 12 months.

Structure

  • 3-month preliminary course (week 33 - week 44)
  • 9-month internship (Nov. - July)

The preliminary course starts in week 33.
The earliest start date for the internship is November.

Compulsory attendance

Attendance in classes is a requirement for passing the preparatory course.

Course modules

Preliminary course

The preliminary course is made up of eight modules of 48 lessons. The modules to be attended depend on the chosen degree discipline. The course is made up of classroom-based teaching (theoretical knowledge) and guided self-study (workshop and laboratory, problem-based learning). The modules are divided into half-day and full-day blocks.

Internship

The Passerelle internship turns theory into practice and allows students to discover their future professional environment.

Use the time before the preliminary course to organise an internship. As an accompanying measure, BFH assists you in the search for a suitable place and supports you – together with the company – during the internship.

Modules

  • Data and web
  • Computer systems
  • Databases
  • Web programming
  • Programming languages
  • Project
  • Combined work and study experience

Modules

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • CAD, construction and fundamentals of drawing
  • Production engineering
  • Workshop and project
  • Materials engineering
  • Specialisation in Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical engineering
  • Combined work and study experience

Modules

  • Electrical engineering and metrology
  • Electronics and ECAD
  • Embedded systems (project)
  • Workshop and project
  • Introduction to Computer Aided Design
  • Mechanical design
  • Materials engineering
  • Combined work and study experience

Admission requirements

There are many ways to join the Passerelle scheme. If you are not sure how to proceed, please contact us.

Your academic requirements

The following certificates give access to the Passerelle scheme:

  • a general baccalaureate,
  • a specialised baccalaureate, or
  • a vocational baccalaureate in an unrelated profession. (in German)

Your academic requirements

  • None

Additional information on admission

Language skills

Depending on the degree programme:

  • German level B1 (recommendation: B2 or language course)
  • French level B1 (recommendation: B2)

A recognised certificate or language diploma is mandatory.

Applications from abroad

We consider each application from abroad on an individual basis. If you have any questions, please contact the head of degree programme in due time. Adequate language skills are required to join the scheme.

Exceptions

If you fail to meet all admission requirements, admission ‘sur dossier’ is possible.

Several degree programmes of the School of Engineering and Computer offer an alternative to the Passerelle scheme. (in German)

Praxisintegriertes Bachelor-Studium PiBS

Die BFH bietet Inhaber*innen einer eidgenössischen oder eidgenössisch anerkannten Maturität und Absolvent*innen einer fachfremden eidgenössischen Berufsmaturität den praxisintegrierten Bachelor in...

Registration

Secure your place in good time.
You can submit any missing documents at a later date.

Important dates regarding your registration

Registration deadline: 30 June 2025
Start of the Passerelle scheme: 11 August 2025

Please contact the head of Passerelle scheme if you have missed the registration deadline. It may be possible to register at a later date.

Start your Passerelle scheme in August 2025

Online registration in a nutshell

Applications for the Passerelle scheme can only be submitted online. Our online registration guide sums up the process step by step.

Online application - At a glance

Conditions

BFH reserves the right not to run certain courses or to adjust the course schedule if the number of registrations is too low. The registration fee is refunded in the event of cancellation.

Residents of the Canton of Berne eligible for a scholarship

Registration fee* CHF 150.–, course fee CHF 1600.–

Other residents eligible for a scholarship

Registration fee* CHF 150.–, course fee CHF 1600.–, additional course fee (cantonal contribution): CHF 5600.–
The cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft pay the cantonal fee in full, other cantons upon request.

*The registration fee is not deducted from the course fee.

Advice + Information

Do you have any questions about the Passerelle scheme? Prof. Thomas von Burg, Head of Passerelle Scheme, will be pleased to answer your questions.

Advice

Your choice of education or continuing education programme is a key decision when planning your career. We would be pleased to offer you a personal consultation to answer your questions and explain the requirements for the programme you are interested in.

Prof. Thomas von Burg

  • Dozent
  • +41 32 321 61 14
  • Show e-mail

Info event

Our Infodays offer you exhaustive information on our study programmes, our terms of admission and your career prospects. Our students give you their personal take on daily life on campus and share their experiences with you.

Location + Facilities

The preliminary courses take place at a different location depending on the degree programme.

Information for companies offering internships

Qualified specialists are the backbone of the Swiss economy. Like the companies offering internships, our aim is to train the specialists of the future. The Passerelle scheme, which exists since 2009, lays the foundations for this.

Specialised trainees

The Passerelle scheme prepares graduates with a general baccalaureate, a specialised baccalaureate or a vocational baccalaureate in an unrelated profession for studies in engineering and computer science at BFH. In addition to a three-month preliminary course, the training includes a nine-month internship with a company specialised in the field of the chosen degree discipline.

By providing an internship opportunity, you help participants on the Passerelle scheme to prepare in the best possible way for their bachelor’s degree programme and to obtain qualifications for their future – and you may also inspire them to join your company as budding specialists.

Prerequisites

The companies offering internship opportunities:

  • possess the infrastructure required for the chosen degree discipline as well as the necessary expertise,
  • provide the intern with a supervisor who has experience in dealing with trainees,
  • enter into an internship agreement with the intern.

Contact

We would be pleased to create a solution tailored to your company’s needs and to count you among our Passerelle scheme partners.

Prof. Thomas von Burg
Head of Passerelle Scheme BFH-TI
+41 32 321 61 14
thomas.vonburg@bfh.ch

Business areas for internships

Internships are available in seven different areas at Bern University of Applied Sciences.

  • Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
  • Computer Science
  • Data Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medical Informatics
  • Mechatronics and Systems Engineering (Medical technology | Robotics)
  • Industrial Engineering and Management Science