In today’s data-driven and AI-powered economy, organisations need leaders who bridge the gap between business strategy and technology. Our graduates rapidly understand the core business challenge and immediately know how to leverage IT and AI to solve it.
Factsheet
- Degree
- Master of Science FHNW in Business Information Systems
- Study mode
- Full-time, Part-time/work-study
- Learning mode
- Onsite
- ECTS credits
- 90
- Next start
- 22.2.2027
- Duration
- 1.5 to 2.5 years
- Teaching language
- English
- Place
- Olten
- Stay abroad
- Possible
- Application fee
- CHF 200
- Semester fee
- CHF 750 for residents of Switzerland (for details see fees)
At a glance
- Three specialisations: Build a focused professional profile in AI & Cybersecurity, Applied Data Science, or Project and Process Management.
- Flexible study model: Choose from Fast, Regular, and Flex study tracks for a work-life-study balance.
- Flexible start: Begin your studies in February or September.
- Practice-oriented and innovative: Work on applied projects and use digital technologies and AI to develop innovative solutions for real business challenges.
- Strong career prospects: Most of our students receive job offers already during their degree.
- International opportunities: Pursue a double degree, study abroad and join an international field trip.
- Pathway to a PhD: Build on your master’s degree and take the next step towards a doctorate.
Why study this?
Learn how to use information systems and AI strategically to develop business models, optimise processes, and drive innovation. Apply your knowledge to real business challenges in practice-oriented modules and projects. Tailor your degree based on your interests and choose one of three specialisations (AI & Cybersecurity, Applied Data Science and Project & Process Management) and various elective modules. In your master’s thesis, you explore a topic of your choice in depth, often in cooperation with a company or international partner.
Broaden your international experience through a double degree, a semester abroad at one of 130 partner universities worldwide, or an international field trip to innovation hubs in the United States, China, or South Africa.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?
Your chosen specialisation shapes your career profile and prepares you for specialist roles and future leadership responsibilities. Potential career paths include:
AI & Cyber Security: Chief Information Security Officer, AI Governance Specialist, Senior AI Engineer, IT Risk and Compliance Manager, or Cloud Security Consultant
Applied Data Science: Senior Data Scientist, Business Analytics Specialist, Business Intelligence Consultant, or AI Specialist
Project & Process Management: Business Analyst, IT Project Manager, Process Manager, or Digital Transformation Consultant
With professional experience, these career paths can lead to senior leadership positions such as Chief Digital Officer (CDO), Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), or Chief AI Officer (CAIO).
We also encourage our students to found their own start-ups – for which the FHNW School of Business offers explicit support.
Structure and programme contents
The 90-ECTS programme combines core modules, specialisation modules, electives, research components. Depending on your academic background, you may also be required to complete up to 9 ECTS of convergence modules.
The programme can be completed in one of three study tracks: fast, regular or flex.
Study mode
The MSc Business Information Systems adapts to your life – not the other way around. You can study full-time or part-time and structure your programme flexibly. This allows you to successfully balance studies, work and personal life. However, to ensure successful completion of the programme, we recommend limiting your workload to a maximum of 80%.
Fast track: study & work (3 semesters)
This study option allows you to complete the program in three semesters while continuing to work. You take five modules per semester. Each module is scheduled in one teaching block. You can flexibly choose between morning (08:15–12:00), afternoon (13:15–17:00), or evening (17:15–21:00) sessions. Classes take place Tuesday through Saturday. The timetable is published before module enrollment so you can plan your studies around your professional commitments.
When completing the registration form, choose the Full-Time study option in the Study Mode field.
The Fast track+ is structured as follows:
Regular track: work & study (5 semesters)
This study option allows you to complete the programme in five semesters while combining your studies with larger work or family commitments. You typically take three modules per semester, spread across approximately three teaching blocks per week. Each module is scheduled in one teaching block. You can flexibly choose between morning (08:15–12:00), afternoon (13:15–17:00), or evening (17:15–21:00) sessions. Many students attend classes on Saturday and one additional weekday. The timetable is published before module enrollment so you can plan your studies around your weekly commitments.
When completing the registration form, choose the Part-Time study option in the Study Mode field.
The Regular track is structured as follows:
You do not even need to decide for a fast or regular track, but you can actually freely adapt your studies to your professional and personal commitments.You can switch between full-time and part-time study, or choose a workload in between, and adjust the number of modules you take each semester. You also decide when to complete your core and elective modules.
Module groups
The MSc in Business Information Systems is structured in a modular format and offers you plenty of flexibility to shape your individual focus areas. You combine solid theoretical knowledge with practical application – and design your studies in a way that aligns with your interests and career goals.
Core Modules
The core modules (18 ECTS) cover key topics at the intersection of business and IT and provide a shared foundation for the programme.
Specialisation Modules
To complete your chosen specialisation, you must select and complete modules totaling at least 18 ECTS from the corresponding specialisation.
Elective Modules
The elective modules allow you to customise your degree and focus on areas aligned with your personal interests and career goals.
Module | ECTS |
|---|---|
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery | 3 |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
Cyber Security in Health | 3 |
6 | |
6 | |
Digital Transformation in Healthcare | 6 |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
Human-Machine Interaction and Bias Mitigation | 3 |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
Machine Learning in Medicine | 3 |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
6 | |
User-Centered Design and Usability Testing | 3 |
Independent Learning Module* | 6 |
Minimum number of ECTS credits in this module group | 36 |
*Modules offered by other FHNW faculties or by approved learning partners abroad may replace one of the elective modules listed above.
Master's Thesis
This module group develops the research skills required to prepare and complete your master’s thesis. All three modules are required, have to be completed in this order, and account for 30 ECTS.
The three modules guide you from developing your research skills to planning and completing your master’s thesis. In Research Methods for Information Systems, you learn to formulate research questions, review literature, select an appropriate research design, and collect and analyze data using qualitative and quantitative methods. In the Master Thesis Proposal, you define your topic and develop the research plan. You then conduct your research and present your findings in the Master Thesis.
The master’s thesis can follow one of two formats:
- Application-oriented research: Address a practical business challenge using scientific methods and develop findings with real-world relevance. The thesis may be completed in collaboration with a company in Switzerland or abroad.
- New business: Investigate an innovation with startup potential from a technical and/or market perspective.
Additional Degree Options
After completing the MSc in Business Information Systems, you may be able to transfer eligible ECTS credits and earn an additional master’s degree from FHNW:
International
Double degree options
Earn a second master’s degree and expand your academic profile through one of three double-degree options.
University of Camerino (Italy)
Complete an exchange semester at the University of Camerino and earn an additional master’s degree in Computer Science.
Institut Teknologi Bandung (Indonesia)
Spend a semester abroad in Indonesia at the School of Business and Management at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and earn an additional master’s degree in Management.
International field trips
During the field trip, you visit companies, meet senior leaders, and take part in cultural activities. You apply your insights in a final analytical paper and earn 6 ECTS.
The International Field Trip module takes you to an innovation hub in one of the following destinations:
Shenzhen (China)
Silicon Valley (USA)
Bambanani (South Africa)
Partner universities
Spend a semester abroad at one of around 130 partner universities worldwide. Research projects and your master’s thesis may also be completed in collaboration with a partner university and, where appropriate, a local company.
The program has established particularly close partnerships with:
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town
- Department of Informatics at the University of Pretoria
Requirements and admission
Applicants should hold a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in one of the following fields or a comparable discipline:
- Business Informatics, Business Information Technology, or Information Systems
- Business Administration, Management, or Economics
- Computer Science, Information Technology, or Information Science
- Industrial Engineering
Applicants should also have:
- Good to very good English proficiency
- Work experience
Please note: Admission to the programme is competitive, as the number of available places is limited. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not automatically guarantee acceptance.
If your previous studies do not fully cover the required subject areas, the selection committee may require you to complete convergence module(s).
Organisational matters
Fees
Personal tuition fee:
- CHF 750 per semester for Swiss citizens and holders of a Swiss residence permit not issued specifically for study purposes.
- CHF 1,000 per semester for EU/EFTA citizens and holders of an EU/EFTA residence permit not issued specifically for study purposes.
- CHF 7,500 per semester for all other students.
For more information on fees and regulations, please refer to the official document:
Fees and regulations (PDF in German, valid from academic year 2025/2026)
Additionally (per semester):
- CHF 100 (copying and material)
- CHF 10 (student ogranisation)
- CHF 100 (only in case of absence, replacing the regular study fee)
Application
The number of places in the programme is limited.
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.
Mandatory notebook requirements
To study, you will need a laptop with an integrated camera and microphone. You must be able to download and install software. Further information can be found here: Mandatory Notebook Requirement for Students at the School of Business.
Projekt Neptun offers high quality laptops with a very good price/performance ratio, specifically tailored to the needs of university students.
Downloads & regulations
Flyer Master Business Information Systems (PDF) (coming soon)
Study Regulations of the FHNW School of Business (in German)
Mandatory Notebook Requirement for Students at the FHNW School of Business
The study and examination regulations of the FHNW School of Business define all relevant aspects of your programme. They include information on curriculum structure, performance assessments, examination procedures, and other important rules.
Location
FHNW Campus Olten
Von Roll-Strasse 10
4600 Olten
Lectures for the MSc in Business Information Systems are mainly held at the Olten campus. It is also possible to take elective modules from the School of Life Sciences at the Muttenz campus.
Advising and information events
Info-Events
Loading...
Contact
Nida Sheikh
- Phone
- +41 62 957 29 61
- nida.sheikh@fhnw.ch
Prof. Dr. Uri Nahum
- Phone
- +41 62 957 21 91
- uri.nahum@fhnw.ch
Registration
Places are limited. Please apply early in order to ensure a smooth entry process: until April 30 (start in September) or October 31 (start in February)
FHNW Campus Olten
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Von Roll-Strasse 10
4600 Olten