What requirements do you need for your studies at the FHNW School of Computer Science? Here you will find information on admission, registration, and other organizational topics for the Bachelor's program and the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE).
Bachelor's Program
Find out about admission requirements, previous education, language of instruction, and options for preparing for your studies.
Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
Find out about requirements, admission procedures, and organizational information for the MSE at the FHNW School of Computer Science.
Bachelor Admission Requirements
Swiss Previous Education
Vocational Baccalaureate (Berufsmaturität)
Technology, Architecture, Life Sciences (formerly technical)
Educational Requirement: With subject-related EFZ (Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training): Admitted without further conditions.
Without subject-related EFZ: PiBS (Practice-integrated Bachelor program) or 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Business and Services (formerly commercial)
Educational Requirement: With subject-related EFZ: Admitted without further conditions.
Without subject-related EFZ: PiBS or 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Other Subject Area
Educational Requirement: With subject-related EFZ: Admitted without further conditions.
Without subject-related EFZ: PiBS or 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Data Science & AI for Sports: Are you active in top-level sports? Contact Rocco Custer to see if this can be credited as professional experience.
Academic Baccalaureate (Gymnasiale Maturität)
Educational Requirement: Admitted without further conditions.
Work Experience: PiBS or 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Data Science & AI for Sports: Are you active in top-level sports? Contact Rocco Custer to see if this can be credited as professional experience.
Specialized Baccalaureate (Fachmaturität)
Subject-related area: Admitted without further conditions.
Non-subject-related area: 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
IT Middle School (Informatikmittelschule - IMS)
Educational Requirement: Computer Scientist: EFZ + Vocational Baccalaureate
Work Experience (Business and Services): Admitted without further conditions.
Business Middle School (Wirtschaftsmittelschule - WMS)
Educational Requirement: Business Administrator: EFZ + Vocational Baccalaureate
Work Experience (Business and Services): Admitted without further conditions.
College of Higher Education (Höhere Fachschule)
Subject-related area: Admitted without further conditions.
Note: Basic credit of 31–39 ECTS, plus up to 9 ECTS for a subject-related degree.
Non-subject-related area: 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Note: Basic credit of 31–39 ECTS.
Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (Höhere Fachprüfung)
Subject-related area: Admitted without further conditions.
Non-subject-related area: 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET Diploma)
Subject-related area: Admission exam | at least 25 years old.
Note: Instead of the official admission exam at the FHNW School of Computer Science, the preparation course with integrated admission exam can be completed at the Zentrum Bildung.
Non-subject-related area: Admission exam + 1 year of subject-related professional experience | at least 25 years old.
Note: Instead of the official admission exam at the FHNW School of Computer Science, the preparation course with integrated admission exam can be completed at the Zentrum Bildung.
Preparation for the Admission Exam
The admission exam covers the subjects German, English, and Mathematics. You can find more information in the syllabus. The School of Computer Science offers a modular course for preparation. The course includes the subjects Mathematics, Programming, German, and English. The admission exam is integrated into the course. You can also attend only individual modules from this course. You can get more information at the Zentrum Bildung e.g.
Registration for the Admission Exam Registration for the admission exam is done online with the Bachelor registration. The fee for the admission exam is CHF 300.-.
Sample Exam A sample series of the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate exams is published by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI. The orientation Technology, Architecture and Life Sciences is relevant for studying at the School of Computer Science.
Other Domestic Previous Education
Educational Requirement: A degree equivalent to a Swiss Baccalaureate.
Work Experience: 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Discover examples of subject-related EFZ for your studies at the HSI.
Non-Swiss Previous Education
General university entrance qualification (DE)
Educational Requirement: Admitted without further conditions.
Work Experience: PiBS or 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Austrian Matura (A)
Educational Requirement: Admitted without further conditions.
Work Experience: PiBS or 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Baccalauréat (F)
Sections de technicien supérieures (STS): PiBS or 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Professional with Brevet de technicien supérieur (BTS): Admitted without further conditions.
Professional without Brevet de technicien supérieur (BTS): Full admission exam | at least 25 years old.
Note: Instead of the official admission exam at the FHNW School of Computer Science, the preparation course with integrated admission exam can be completed at the Zentrum Bildung.
University of Applied Sciences Entrance Qualification (DE) (Fachhochschulreife)
Educational Requirement: Grade average ≤2.5: Admitted without further conditions. Grade average >2.5: Reduced admission exam.
Work Experience: 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Other Foreign Previous Education
Anyone with a foreign educational qualification acquired abroad or in Switzerland (e.g., A Levels, Abitur, International Baccalaureate IB) undergoes an equivalence assessment. This determines whether the qualification corresponds to a Swiss Baccalaureate. The swissuniversities website serves as a guide.
Work Experience: 1 year of subject-related professional experience.
Application Documents - Did you know?
Even if your application documents are not yet complete - for example, because you have not yet received your final certificate - you can still register now. Don't wait too long, secure your place!
Language of Instruction
The language of study is German, therefore a language level of at least C1 is required.
Basic knowledge of English is essential, level B1 is a requirement, level B2 is recommended.
By taking certain modules in English, you can also acquire a certificate in the International Track.
Preparation for Studies
Do you want to study Computer Science but don't have any programming skills yet? Or do you feel insecure in mathematics? We support you!
Programming
If you have no programming experience yet, we recommend that you prepare for your studies at the School of Computer Science. You can either attend the Programming Bridge Course or prepare yourself through self-study.
Programming Bridge Course
This course provides an introduction to procedural and object-oriented programming. You will deepen the covered concepts through programming exercises. You will work in the programming languages "Processing" and "Java" or "Python". The scope is 32 contact lessons. The organization of the courses is handled by zB. "Zentrum Bildung" – Wirtschaftsschule KV Aargau Ost (zB. Brugg), the lecturers are teaching staff of the FHNW School of Computer Science. Classes take place at the FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch. You can find more information at "Zentrum Bildung" zB.
Independent Preparation
Computer Science Study Programs
Online course with FHNW materials and meet-ups at the FHNW.
Platforms that are useful for preparation:
Introduction to programming with Java
Data Science & AI and AI & HPC
Introduction to programming with Python
Introduction to programming with R
Mathematics
If you meet the admission requirements for studying but have a non-technical Baccalaureate, we recommend attending the Mathematics Bridge Course. If you have completed the Vocational Baccalaureate in the technical field, but your math skills are already somewhat rusty, it makes sense for you to attend a refresher course.
Mathematics Bridge Course
The course covers the contents of the major subject Mathematics of the technical Vocational Baccalaureate (incl. elementary geometry). The course comprises 100 lessons of instruction and around 80-120 hours of homework. The organization of the courses is handled by eg. "Zentrum Bildung – Wirtschaftsschule KV Aargau Ost (zB. Brugg). The courses are taught by lecturers from the Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the FHNW School of Engineering. Classes take place at the FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch. You can find more information at Zentrum Bildung zB.
Mathematics Refresher Course
The course covers the contents of the mathematics of the technical Vocational Baccalaureate. The course comprises 48 lessons of instruction and around 30-50 hours of homework. The course is taught by lecturers from the Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the FHNW School of Engineering. Classes take place at the FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch.
Dates: See Registration Mathematics Refresher Course
Course location: FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch
Costs: CHF 600.-
Participants who start their studies at the School of Computer Science in the year of the course will have 50% of the course costs credited towards their tuition fees.
Master Admission Requirements
Would you like to deepen your expertise with a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) after your Bachelor's degree? Here you can find out what requirements you need to meet for admission and how the admission procedure works.
What requirements do you have to meet?
For admission to the MSE, you should have achieved very good academic performance during your Bachelor's program. ECTS grades A or B serve as a guideline. Your completed field of study must also be related to the competence area of the chosen MSE profile.
You can also be admitted to the program with an equivalent degree, for example, an HTL or FH diploma.
When should you start the MSE?
The MSE usually follows directly after a Bachelor's degree. If you have already been working for several years after graduation, additional clarifications are required.
How does the admission process work?
After the registration deadline, we check the documents submitted with your registration. Subsequently, our admission committee decides on your acceptance. If necessary, we will additionally invite you to an admission interview.
