Master of Science in Engineering MSE

School of Engineering and Environment

The climate crisis, digital transformation, and sustainable mobility demand strong engineering solutions. The Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) prepares you for responsible roles in industry and society. You deepen your expertise through practice-oriented learning and work on solutions with sustainable impact.

Key facts

Degree: Master of Science FHNW in Engineering MSE
Study mode: Part-time and Full-time
Next start: 1.9.2026
Language: Deutsch / Englisch
Place: Brugg-Windisch und weitere Standorte

At a glance

Your Career Launchpad in Technology and Management: The MSE opens the door to demanding specialist and leadership positions.
Learning at the Cutting Edge of Practice: During your studies, you work on real industry projects with real-world challenges – often in close collaboration with your employer.
Your Studies, Your Specialization: Choose from a wide range of specialization profiles.
Combine Studies with Professional Experience: Thanks to flexible study models, you can ideally combine your studies with employment or a practice-based project.
Well Connected – Also Internationally: Benefit from the extensive network of FHNW, including opportunities for exchange semesters and interdisciplinary projects.

Career prospects

With the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE), you can advance your career in a targeted way. You deepen your technical expertise, expand your competencies, and qualify for demanding roles in engineering, innovation, and management.

You learn to analyze complex technical and economic relationships and develop practical solutions. In collaboration with companies, you work on real-world projects, apply modern technologies, and gain valuable professional experience.

The MSE prepares you to design products and processes, lead projects, and take on responsibility—both in technical development and in strategic roles. Your skills in communication, analytical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration make you a sought-after specialist or leader.

Whether in industry, research, or public institutions, the MSE enables you to take an active role in shaping the future development of society and the economy.

MSE profiles at the FHNW School of Engineering and Environment

Structure and content

The MSE programme comprises 90 ECTS credits and is clearly structured: you combine solid theoretical foundations with practice-oriented project work while systematically developing your individual profile. The modular structure allows you to tailor your studies to your professional goals—in close collaboration with experts from academia, industry, and research.

Throughout the programme, you learn to think abstractly while acting in an application- and solution-oriented way. You build strong methodological expertise, understand complex relationships, and solve challenging problems independently. In practice-oriented projects, you deepen your competencies and gain valuable professional experience. You develop products and processes using the latest technologies, acquire solid project management skills, and gain an understanding of business and economic contexts.

When tackling complex challenges, you make important analytical, conceptual, and technical contributions to innovative solutions. With strong communication skills, you are also well prepared to operate confidently in an international environment.

Programme structure

30 ECTS – Core theory modules

One third of the programme consists of nationally coordinated theory modules. These provide advanced scientific and methodological foundations and are attended together with students from other Swiss universities of applied sciences.

30 ECTS – Specialization

Your individual specialization takes place at an institute of the FHNW School of Engineering and Environment or the FHNW School of Computer Science. Within your chosen profile, you work on application- or research-oriented projects, attend specialized courses, and develop advanced technical expertise.

30 ECTS – Master’s Thesis

Zum Abschluss bearbeitest du eine komplexe Fragestellung aus der Praxis. Mit deiner eigenständigen Master-Thesis zeigst du, dass du Probleme strukturiert analysieren und innovative Lösungen entwickeln und umsetzen kannst.

6 ECTS – Ergänzende Veranstaltungen (EVA)

Über das gesamte Studium hinweg besuchst du spezialisierte Veranstaltungen ausserhalb der zentralen Theoriemodule. Diese werden vom jeweiligen Institut organisiert und können auch standortübergreifend gewählt werden – abgestimmt auf dein Profil und in Absprache mit deiner Advisorin bzw. deinem Advisor.

Developing your individual profile

The core of the MSE programme is your individual specialization within a professional profile. From the very beginning, you are supported by a personal advisor who helps you align your studies with your interests and career goals.

You shape your profile through:

selecting one of the specialization profiles
collaborating with an FHNW institute
choosing suitable theory modules, EVA courses, and project topics
participating in research or industry projects

MSE profiles at the FHNW School of Engineering and Environment

Additional MSE profiles at FHNW

Further MSE profiles are offered by other FHNW schools.

FHNW School of Architecture, Construction and Geomatics

FHNW School of Computer Science

How to start your studies

Get informed: Contact the person responsible for your chosen profile or an advisor at an early stage.
Apply: Submit your application for the MSE programme.
Admission decision: The admissions committee reviews your application documents and decides on your admission.
Define your study agreement: After admission, you and your advisor will define your Individual Study Agreement (ISA), including your chosen profile, modules, and project work.

Requirements and admission

The master’s programme is intended for graduates of a bachelor’s degree programme with very good academic performance (ECTS grades A or B).

Your previous field of study should be closely related to the chosen specialization profile. Applicants with equivalent qualifications (e.g., HTL or older FH degrees) may also be admitted.

After the application deadline, the admissions committee reviews your documents and decides on your admission. If necessary, an additional admission interview may be conducted.

The MSE programme typically follows directly after a bachelor’s degree. In the case of several years of professional experience, individual assessments will be made.

Organizational information

Language of instruction

The programme is taught in English. We recommend a language level of at least B2, ideally C1, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The specialization may also be conducted in English. Knowledge of German is not required.

Full-time or part-time study

You can complete the MSE either full-time (3 semesters) or part-time. Part-time study offers flexible models – for example, in combination with professional employment or a project position.

Example full-time model: 3 semesters with an even distribution of modules, with the Master’s thesis in the final semester.

Example part-time model: Extension to 5–6 semesters with an adjusted workload per semester.

Programme structure for full-time study (example):

Studienaufbau bei Vollzeit Master (Beispiel)

Programme structure for part-time study (example):

Fees

Semester fee (Switzerland): CHF 700
Semester fee (EU/EFTA):* CHF 1,000
Semester fee (non-EU/EFTA countries):** CHF 5,000
Registration fee: CHF 200 (one-time)
Materials & licenses: CHF 100 per semester
Leave semester: CHF 100
Diploma fee: CHF 300

* The decisive factor is the civil residence before the start of studies, according to Swiss Civil Code Art. 23 para. 1.
** Applies to students with a residence permit without employment.

Important Dates

You can start the programme in either the spring semester or the autumn semester:

Spring semester: Application deadline at the end of September (previous year)
Autumn semester: Application deadline at the end of April (current year)

Downloads and further Information

You can find important documents related to the MSE programme here: