BSc Mechatronics Trinational
Study in Switzerland, Germany and France.
Key data
- Degree
- Bachelor of Science FHNW in Mechatronics Trinational
- ECTS points
- 210
- Teaching language
- German/ French/ English
- Place
- Muttenz (CH), Lörrach (D), Mulhouse (F)
September Start: We recommend early registration by May 31.
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Mechatronics Trinational is a degree programme in technology and business spanning the frontiers of Switzerland, Germany and France in the border triangle region. The programme covers technical project management in the field of mechatronics together with special training elements in the fields of management and communication.
The degree encompasses three disciplines – mechanical engineering, information technology and electrical engineering – and has a strong international orientation. The programme is delivered by three universities in the three countries with lessons being taught in German, French and English. From the very beginning, intercultural training elements foster team-building, allowing the class to come together and be guided through the degree programme as a unit.
A particularly special feature of the degree is the practical training periods integrated into the programme; these training periods can also be completed abroad if so desired. These periods offer an excellent opportunity for students to apply the knowledge that they have acquired from the programme in a commercial environment. Thanks to these extensive industry training periods, the Mechatronics Trinational degree is also open to secondary school leavers who have not completed an internship beforehand.
Job opportunities and career prospects for graduates are excellent because they combine first-rate technical expertise with well-developed intercultural and language skills.
The trinational degree programme is extremely varied in terms of both the technical information and interpersonal skills that it imparts. I would not miss the international camaraderie I have enjoyed for the last three year for the world.
The degree programme begins at the University of Upper Alsace (UHA) in Mulhouse (F).Industry training period I then follows . The objective of this period is for students to become better acquainted with the a business environment in a different cultural area in and, in particular, to develop their language skills. The second semester takes place at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) in the municipality of Muttenz in the canton of Basel (CH). The Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Lörrach (D) delivers the third semester.
The same cycle takes place from the fourth to the sixth semester, interrupted by industry training period II. This training period involves students dealing with a conceptual theme in practice, whereby knowledge acquired as part of the degree is applied in a practical manner.
Industry training period III completes the degree programme (the bachelor's thesis is written in the seventh semester). This last training period sees students dealing with a comprehensive topic from the Mechatronics Trinational programme within a company or other institution. Because this period is a lengthy one , students often combine it with a stay abroad.
Technical subjects take up slightly more than half of the study time. They are complemented by subjects from the fields of management and communication, which account for around a fifth of the programme. These subjects include project management/systems engineering, process management, intercultural management and quality management.
Language training as part of the "communication" element is another component of the programme. German-speaking students take a French course and French-speaking students take a German course. Students can study English as a second foreign language.
A key part of the degree is the integrated practical training periods, which are closely monitored by advisers from the respective universities.
Furthermore, study trips lasting one or more days take place in various companies with a view to familiarising students with the respective company and acquainting them with current business challenges.
A detailed description of the modules that can be taken as part of the Mechatronics Trinational degree programme can be found in the module table (German).
As the students are required fulfil the course requirements of three countries, they receive the following diplomas upon successful completion of the programme:
- Bachelor of Science FHNW in Mechatronics Trinational (CH)
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) (D)
- Diplôme universitaire de technologie/DUT (F) (university diploma in technology)
- Licence degree (F)
as well as a certificate from the German-French school.
The Mechatronics Trinational degree programme includes several practice-oriented projects. The knowledge acquired as part of the programme is practically applied in various industry training periods with industrial and commercial partners that run parallel to the course of formal instruction.