Bachelor of Science Wirtschaftsinformatik

School of Business

You will learn how to develop digital solutions, utilise smart tools, and apply IT expertise to optimise business processes and prepare companies for the future. The German programme in Wirtschaftsinformatik at FHNW uniquely combines business administration and computer science.

Factsheet

Degree: Bachelor of Science FHNW in Wirtschaftsinformatik
Study mode: Part-time/work-study and Full-time
Learning environment: Onsite
ECTS points: 180
Next start: 14.9.2026
Duration: 3 to 4 years
Language: German, depending on module selection also English
Place: Olten
Staying abroad: Possible
Application fee: CHF 200
Semester fee: CHF 750 for residents of Switzerland (for details, see fees)

At a glance

Interdisciplinary knowledge: You are equipped to act as a bridge between business processes and IT solutions.
Practice-oriented: Practical assignments, projects, and case studies prepare you specifically for your professional career.
Individual specialisation: Choose from various focus areas and prepare for your desired career path.
Focus on digital innovation: Special emphasis on current topics such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Why study this?

As a Wirtschaftsinformatiker:in, you are the digital expert in the business world. In your role as an intermediary between business administration and IT, you are one of the game changers who makes companies more efficient and competitive. Whether it is smart software, data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) or cool digital tools – you are at the forefront when it comes to optimising processes, managing projects, and developing innovative solutions. In short: you shape the digital world of tomorrow!

What do you do as a Wirtschaftsinformatiker:in?

Bridge the gap between IT and the business departments

In your projects, you communicate with the people involved and recognise their challenges, expectations, and needs. You understand the language of business as well as that of IT and mediate between the two worlds. After your studies, you will be able to master complex business challenges with innovative IT solutions.

Help shaping the digital future

Thanks to your interdisciplinary knowledge, you will find and design suitable, innovative IT solutions and take on an advisory role. You optimise processes, analyse and structure data with the help of artificial intelligence, develop effective strategies or new business models. In this way, you help companies to succeed.

You know what a computer scientist is talking about

You know the possibilities and limitations of IT systems, how they are structured and how they work. You are actively involved in the implementation of projects, whether in project management, software development, quality assurance or other functions.

Get to the bottom of things

You analyse situations, regulations, and processes in order to understand them. This allows you to uncover weaknesses and create a basis for decisions. After analysing the current situation, you determine the requirements for your projects, record them in a structured manner and define the target status.

You know what the business is talking about

You know the correlations in the business world as well as the success criteria of processes and organisations. You lead projects and/or teams, act in line with the company strategy and always ensure the best cost-benefit ratio.

Convince across the board

You are able to critically evaluate and analyse actions, ventures, and contracts. You are convincing in workshops and meetings, document professionally and assess data and facts correctly.

Career prospects

As a Wirtschaftsinformatiker:in, you have the choice between many exciting job profiles in a wide range of industries. During your studies, you will find out which areas interest you the most and what best suits your particular strengths. This will allow you to decide later on whether you would prefer a technical job, plunge into the analytical world or work in management.

Typical examples of job profiles:

IT-Consultant

As an IT consultant, you advise customers on finding solutions, assess the feasibility of different approaches and support the implementation of IT projects.

Requirements Engineer

As a requirements engineer, you determine the requirements of various stakeholders. You mediate between customers, developers and project teams and ensure that everyone has the same expectations about the implementation.

(IT) Project Manager

As a project manager, you ensure that IT projects satisfy the client, are implemented on time, meet the required quality standards, and stay within budget.

Data Scientist

As a data scientist, you ensure a solid database, develop new algorithms to find correlations and create forecasting models.

Cyber Security Consultant

As a Cyber Security Consultant, you shape the IT security of companies, identify risks, define measures, and assess their effectiveness.

(Junior) Developer

As a (Junior) Developer, you have the necessary skills to use software development tools in a company and to work productively on projects.

Structure and programme contents

Study content

Your studies will provide you with the ideal mix of knowledge from business administration, computer science and business information technology. You will immerse yourself in the world of business administration, learn how companies work and make decisions. At the same time, you will acquire in-depth IT knowledge, from programming to databases, machine learning and cybersecurity.

Wirtschaftsinformatik brings together both disciplines (computer science and business): you will learn to understand the needs and expectations of different groups and develop digital solutions to transform business processes and drive companies forward.

Practice orientation

Here at the FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, you will gain real insights into the professional world as part of your studies. Whether in a practical project, during your bachelor’s thesis or in project-based modules, you will directly experience the challenges that companies have to overcome.

You use your knowledge to develop practical solutions – always at the forefront of the latest technologies, be it to optimise processes, support companies in their choice of business software or contribute your ideas on topics such as cloud computing and data management.

During your studies, you will experience how you can apply your knowledge into practice with various real-life projects in actual companies. And after a successful project you might even secure a job in that organisation.

Study structure

Full-time

Would you like to focus exclusively on your studies? Then full-time study is the right choice for you. You can earn your bachelor's degree in just three years (6 semesters).

Full-time module overview (PDF in German)

Part-time

Would you like to continue working alongside your studies? Then part-time study is ideal for you. With a 50% workload in a field related to your studies, you can also have your work credited up to a maximum of 18 ECTS through short papers (job reflections). This allows you to complete your studies in four years (8 semesters). We recommend a maximum workload of 70%, calculated over the entire year, in addition to your studies. During the semester, you should reduce your workload so that you have enough time to study. During the summer months, when there are no classes, you can work more.

Modulübersicht Teilzeitstudium (PDF in German)

Degree course structure

The degree programme consists of the assessment stage, which you must complete in the first year of study, and the main study. In the main study programme, you have the opportunity to choose certain modules individually and put together your study portfolio flexibly. The individual modules are assigned to a module group. To complete your studies, you need a minimum number of ECTS points per module group.

Module Descriptions

Specialisations

In the second half of your studies, you will have a wide range of specialisation options available to you, which will help you prepare for your desired career. Depending on your interests and career plans, you can choose your areas of specialisation and thus lay the foundation for your successful professional development.

International

The FHNW School of Business offers numerous opportunities to gain international experience – from semesters abroad and double degrees to summer/winter schools, as well as virtual exchange formats and international projects. These opportunities will help you to develop professionally and personally, and will also prepare you for an international career.

Gain international experience during your studies

Your gateway to the international world

View your options

Requirements and admission

Direct Admission

With the following qualifications you are directly admitted to the programme (valid for Switzerland):

Professional Baccalaureate, commercial or technical
Commercial School (with Professional Baccalaureate)

Admission only with practical experience

With the following qualifications, you need at least one year of commercial work experience. The work experience must include a predominantly commercial or technical activity and have taken place after the completion of upper secondary education.

Other Professional Baccalaureate
General Baccalaureate (1)
International Baccalaureate (2)
Specialised Middle School Baccalaureate
German University of Applied Sciences Entry Diploma entitling studies in all federal states of Germany (minimum grade 2.5)
Higher Vocational School

Individual admission procedure

We will consider the admission procedure individually with the following degrees:

Degree from a higher vocational school in the fields of business, technology, or business information technology (number of creditable ECTS is checked individually, max. non-English 60 ECTS)
Foreign Certificate on request (1)
Federal PET Diplomas (entrance exam)
Transfer from Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences (determination of equivalence)

(1) or international students: The entrance examinations are held in English. Subjects: English, Business Studies, Accounting, Mathematics. Registration Deadline: End of January.

Foreign degrees

For foreign degrees, please enquire at the admissions office.

Organisational matters

Fees and Grants

Tuition fees qualify for attendance of any Bachelor course within FHNW, independent of the particular enrolment at a faculty.

Registration fee (1)	once	CHF 200
Personal course fee (2)	per semester	CHF 750*
Copying and materials	per semester	CHF 100
Teaching materials, books, projects	per year	CHF 1000
Diploma fee	once	CHF 300

(1) A separate registration fee has to be paid for each programme you register for.

(2) Applies to:

Students whose civil law residence is in Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein at the start of their studies
as well as Swiss citizens living abroad
or foreign students with civil law residence in a Swiss canton who hold a residence permit not issued for the purpose of studying.

For other students, please contact the admissions office.

*Personal course fee for EU or EFTA citizens: CHF 1 000.00 per semester
*Personal course fee for Non-European citizens: CHF 5 700.00 per semester

The determination of the semester fee requires the complete and correct completion of the Student Personal Data Form, which is sent to students before the start of their studies. The Student Personal Data Form including additional documents must be signed and submitted before the start of the studies.

Fees and regulations FHNW (PDF in German, valid from academic year 2025/2026)
Grants and loans

Registration and deadlines

1. Registration

Start of studies in September: We recommend early registration by April 30. Depending on your previous education, the following documents must be enclosed with the application:

University entrance qualification incl. transcript of records (vocational baccalaureate certificate, baccalaureate certificate, etc.)
Federal diploma of higher education
Residence permit (if available)
Certificate of Exmatriculation (if available)

2. Timetable
You will receive your timetable for the first semester in July.

3. Introduction week
Mandatory introduction days will be held in week 37, just before your first semester begins. Exact dates will be provided in August.

4. Autumn semester (from week 38)

Duration: 14 weeks (from mid-September to End of December)
Block week: week 45 (from the 2nd year of study)
Examinations: Early January to the beginning of February

5. Spring semester (from week 8)

Duration: 15 weeks (mid-February to the beginning of June)
Block week: week 16 (from the 2nd year of study)
Examinations: Mid-June to early July

Compensation for disadvantages

Students with disabilities and chronic illnesses can apply for compensation for disadvantages.

The aim of compensation for disadvantages is to eliminate or reduce the disadvantages resulting from disabilities and chronic illnesses during studies by means of suitable measures. The term refers to the adaptation of the conditions under which learning and/or examinations take place, but not a modification of the learning objectives or a waiver of subjects. Compensation for disadvantages can be applied both in the admission procedure and in the degree programme.

Information sheet on compensation for disadvantages (PDF)
Contact

Military and Civil Service

The FHNW will help you coordinate your studies and compulsory military service in the best possible way. You can find all the information on training credits, credit transfer options, postponements and advice centers under the following link.

Informationen Military service, civilian service and civil defence

Downloads & Regulations

Flyer Bachelor Wirtschaftsinformatik (PDF)
Flyer Bachelor degree programmes (PDF in German)
Regulations FHNW School of Business
Mandatory Notebook Requirement for Students at the School of Business