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MSc in Engineering: Profile Mechatronics and Automation

With a Master of Science degree in Engineering with a specialisation in Mechatronics and Automation, you will support industry in the economical and resource-saving manufacture of products. Equipped with these skills, a wide range of career opportunities is open to you.

Integration into a research unit working closely with industry ensures a high degree of practical application. The programme can be completed full-time or part-time.

Knowledge transfer guaranteed: students offer insights into the MSc Engineering programme.

Start your studies in spring or in autumn.

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering
  • Specialisations Mechatronics and Automation
  • Mode of study Full-time (3 semesters)
    Part-time (7 semesters)
  • Start date Spring semester week 8
    Autumn semester week 38
  • Application deadline Spring semester 31 December
    Autumn semester 31 July
  • ECTS credits 90 ECTS credits
  • Teaching language German/English or French/English
    (Theory modules are taught in one language)
  • Location Biel and Burgdorf
    Core modules: Zurich, Biel, Burgdorf, Lausanne, Lugano
  • School School of Engineering and Computer Science

Contact

Master of Science in Engineering

Focus areas

You will gain in-depth knowledge of mechatronic applications such as drive technology, control engineering and automation technology and will reinforce your skills in autonomous and industrial robotics.

What you will gain with your degree

The degree programme will enable you to expand the foundation on which our high quality of life is built. Building the factory of the future will require mechatronics, automation and robotics, to get products to market faster and with reliably estimated production times. You will also learn about the capabilities of autonomous robots in non-industrial environments.

A network made up of industry partners, business partners and every Swiss university of applied sciences provides access to highly relevant and up-to-date engineering expertise nationwide.

Focus areas

Core competences | MSc Mechatronics and Autmation Enlarge image

Programme overview

Combining theory and practice in research projects

Teaching, practice and research are all closely linked. You can gain experience in the following research fields on the programme:

  • Optimisation of machines with smart sensors 
  • Optimisation of machines using structural, dynamic and thermal models 
  • Creation of control algorithms with predictive state models for optimisation of operation and maintenance work 
  • Development of active damping solutions to improve production capacities and quality 
  • Creation of models of manufacturing processes and their optimisation 
  • Collaborative robotics 
  • Industrial robotics 
  • Image processing and control systems 
  • Robotics for medical technology applications 
  • Mobile robotics 
  • Mechatronic product design 
  • Automation and production ergonomics 
  • Combining rehabilitation technology with cognitive performance feedback

View courses offered by the

Career prospects

With a master’s degree with a specialisation in Mechatronics and Automation, you automate and optimise mechatronic systems that can perform tasks involving complex manipulation. You have sound expertise in signal processing and artificial intelligence as well as in control engineering and robotics. Your interdisciplinary skills will make you a sought-after professional, both in industry and in research. In-depth management skills round off your profile perfectly.

Ready for challenging technical and management roles?

Specialists in mechatronics and automation are in high demand, particularly with a Master’s degree.

Our graduates work in the following fields:

  • Automation engineer
  • Mechatronics engineer
  • Production engineer
  • Avionics engineer
  • Robotics engineer
  • Engineer in special mechanical engineering

Graduation Theses

Graduation Theses: MSc in Engineering

The “Books” are published every year in autumn. The publications series include the final theses of our bachelor, master and continuing education programmes of the respective year. The Books are a compelling testament to the innovative capacity, commitment and motivation of our graduates.

Duration + content

Choose the mode of study that suits you best professionally and personally. The master’s programme can be completed full-time or part-time and in German/English or French/English.

Full-time or part-time?

The full-time programme takes three semesters.
The part-time programme can be completed in seven semesters.

It is possible to complete a fellowship study programme:
With the Fellowship Master, you acquire 60 ECTS credits in the first year as with full-time study; in the second year of the course, you work on a master’s thesis extended to two semesters. This form of study is a full-time study programme extended by one semester.
For the Fellowship Programme, you will be employed at the BFH as a research assistant.
To be admitted to the Fellowship Programme a Fellowship position must be vacant and you must be be admitted to the MSE.

Industry Fellowship programme

For this, you or the BFH bring in a company contact who is willing to mentor you as a working student. While studying, you will be employed as a research assistant at the BFH. All the projects you work on are commissioned by the company and have an applied research character.

Research Fellowship programme

If you find a BFH-TI research laboratory that is willing to finance your studies and you have achieved a GPA of at least 75 during your BSc, the BFH-TI will also offer you this type of study. All projects you work on are commissioned by the Institute.

Programme schedule

The MSE is a full-time programme divided into three semesters. In the first third of the course, the focus is on theoretical and scientific aspects, and in the final third, with the master’s thesis, on purely practical implementation. In addition to full-time study, the MSE is also offered part-time, the form chosen by the majority of students.

Studienverlauf MSc Engineering Enlarge image

Download / Curriculum

The foundation courses are provided jointly by the Swiss universities of applied sciences at the central locations in Lausanne, Zurich and Lugano and comprises three groups of theoretical modules:

•    Technical scientific modules TSM
•    Extended fundamental theoretical principles FTP
•    Context modules CM

The module group abbreviations CM, TSM and FTP refer to the English terms and are used throughout Switzerland. Each module comprises 3 ECTS credits. The basic training earns you 30 ECTS credits in total.

You can complete the specialisation at a research unit – usually the BFH institute to which your workplace is assigned. The specialisation course comprises 54 ECTS credits and includes the following components:

•    Project assignment 1: 9 ECTS credits
•    Project assignment 2: 15 ECTS credits
•    Master’s thesis 30 ECTS credits

You will acquire knowledge and experience through challenging projects. With the master’s thesis, you demonstrate the ability to independently complete a comprehensive piece of work that meets high methodological as well as conceptual and/or scientific standards.

You will also learn to present the results verbally and in writing in a clear and professional manner. The practical relevance and currentness of the specialisation projects and the master’s thesis are vital; the projects are geared towards making a significant contribution to a solution.

Supplementary events – courses, seminars and/or colloquia run by BFH and other MSE partner universities – provide the opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge in areas that cannot be covered in the main theory modules due to the high degree of specialisation. This training course comprises a total of 6 ECTS credits.

Programme modules

The study programme is modular and consists of three types of modules in the basic training plus EVA complementary modules. Below is an initial selection that can be individually adapted based on specialisation.

You must complete at least four modules, i.e. 12 ECTS credits.

Overview of recommended TSM modules:

You must complete at least three modules, i.e. 9 ECTS credits.
FTP modules provide long-term knowledge capital and train abstract thinking skills.

Overview of recommended FTP modules:

You must complete at least two modules, i.e. 6 ECTS credits.
The Context modules build knowledge and skills in the non-technical areas of management, communication and culture.

Overview of recommended Context modules:

You must complete at least two modules, i.e. 6 ECTS credits, as part of supplementary events.

  • IoT: Internet of Things | MTE7117
  • CAVP: Computer Architecture and Virtual Prototyping | MTE7905
  • ISA: Image Synthesis and Analysis | MTE7901
  • HBSP: Hardware Based Signal Processing | MTE7903
  • TIFP: Turning Ideas into Funded Projects | MTE7119
  • Weitere Angebote aus «EVA» | Ergänzende Veranstaltungen

Admission requirements

You bring with you a high level of commitment, a good foundation from your bachelor’s degree programme and a keen motivation to learn about innovative and advanced technologies.

Academic requirements

You will be admitted to the programme with:

  • a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Micro and Medical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a comparable bachelor’s degree.

  • at least 60 points in the Grade Point Average (GPA) of BFH or an overall grade 5.0 (in the Swiss numerical grading system)

  • an equivalent Swiss or foreign degree with a very good to excellent academic standard

Admission based on your academic background and performance (‘sur dossier’) is the rule.

Professional prerequisites

Any one of the following professional requirements qualifies you for the Master of Science in Engineering degree programme, Mechatronics and Automation profile, at Bern University of Applied Sciences:

  • Work experience in a technical field of expertise
  • Work experience in the field of economic expertise

Detailed admission requirements are set out in the Study and examination regulations for the MSE degree programme.

Supplementary information on admission

A degree in a different discipline can also qualify you for admission to the master’s degree programme. Depending on your educational background, you may be required to earn 9 to 15 ECTS credits by attending courses in the bachelor’s degree programme.
Enrolment in the bachelor courses is possible only once admission to the MSE programme has been granted. Your advisor can be involved in the selection of the bachelor courses.

Registration

  • After applying as usual for the MSE course, you first send us your certificates and documents (language certificates in the case of foreign languages).
  • We use these documents to verify your admission to the MSE degree programme (average grades, formal requirements as specified by the study regulations, etc.).
  • We determine bilaterally which subjects are required (depending on your chosen MSE specialisation).
  • The documents are presented to the MSE Approval Commission of the BFH. The commission decides on the admission and on the bachelor courses to be attended.
  • The conditions of admission are set out in a contract. You can start the MSE programme provisionally and take the agreed bachelor modules in parallel. Once the additional conditions have been fulfilled, you are admitted definitively to the MSE course.

Admission to the study programme is granted to applicants who satisfy the following criteria:

  • B2 level of proficiency in German or French according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), if the educational qualifications were acquired neither in German nor in French,
  • C1 level of proficiency in English according to the CRFR, in the case of a foreign educational qualification,

Further information:

The MSE Admissions committee of BFH may conduct an interview and an oral or written aptitude assessment after successful registration. You will be contacted to arrange an appointment for this.

If your GPA is only slightly below 60, you may still be admitted, providing you meet the requirement worked out specifically for you within the specified period, have relevant work experience and can clearly demonstrate your motivation for these studies.

Application

Secure your place early.
You can always submit any missing documents later.

Application deadlines

Application deadline

31 December (spring semester)
31 July (autumn semester)

Study start

17 February 2025 (spring semester)
15 September 2025 (autumn semester)

Start your studies in spring or in autumn

Brief explanation of online application

You can only apply online. Our Online Application Guide explains how it works, step by step.

Online Application Guide

Application documents

You will need to make PDF or JPG copies of the following documents:

Mandatory requirements:

  • ID or passport
  • Passport photo that meets international passport requirements

Other documents (certificates, etc.)

  • Diplomas and university entrance certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, baccalaureate, Abitur or equivalent, Bachelor certificate for master’s degree programmes)
  • Swiss federal VET diploma with grades
  • Employer references and/or internship certificates
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letter of motivation
  • Additional documents may be required, depending on your educational background

The costs for the programme comprise application, tuition and examination fees plus the cost of course materials and excursions.

Costs

At BFH, different fees apply for programmes and examinations.

Application (per application)*

CHF 100

Matriculation**

CHF 100

Tuition fees (per semester)

CHF 750

Tuition fees for international students*** (per semester)

CHF 950

Examination fee (per semester)

CHF 80

Fee for social, cultural and sport offerings (per semester)

CHF 24

Membership fee for the Bern University of Applied Sciences Student Association (VSBFH) (per semester)

CHF 15

* plus CHF 10 processing fee if paying by paying-in slip/paper invoice.
** If the application leads to matriculation, the matriculation fee is covered by the application fee.
*** International students are defined as persons of foreign citizenship who at the time of obtaining their university entrance qualification were domiciled under civil law neither in Switzerland nor the Principality of Liechtenstein. This rule applies as of the 2018/19 autumn semester.

Loans and grants can help finance your studies.

Information page on support options

The following foundations offer funding specifically to BFH students and students at universities of applied sciences:

Advice + information

Still have questions about the programme? The head of the degree programme, lecturers and students will be able to answer your questions at one of our information events.

Advice

Choosing a degree programme is an important decision. We will be happy to arrange a face-to-face chat to answer your questions and advise you on the requirements for your chosen programme.

Prof. Andreas Habegger

  • Leiter Master of Science Engineering
  • +41 32 321 67 81
  • Show e-mail

Prof. Dr. Norman Urs Baier

  • Leiter Institut I3S
  • +41 34 426 68 42
  • Show e-mail

Barbara Rüesch

  • Mitarbeiterin Masteradministration
  • +41 31 848 68 54
  • Show e-mail

Alena Hirzel

  • Mitarbeiterin Studierendenadministration
  • +41 31 848 67 28
  • Show e-mail

Information event

Visit one of our information events and find out all about the degree programme, the admission requirements and your career prospects. Our students will share their experiences of university life with you.

Locations + facilities

For the practical part, generously equipped laboratories are available, some of whose test facilities are also involved in international research projects. In Burgdorf, for example, this is the case with a battery manufacturing plant, a modern transport system with industrial robots and other collaborative robots.

The main research topic of the cpvrLab in the field of robotics is the interaction between humans and machines. Here investigations are underway into how the programming of industrial applications can be simplified through new methods (machine learning, digital twin) and technologies (smart tools, VR/AR).

 

Quellgasse 21, Biel

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Study in Biel

Facilities

Pestalozzistrasse 20, Burgdorf

Show address and location of the site

Study in Burgdorf

The MSE master’s degree is a programme run jointly by all Swiss universities of applied sciences. Graduating with the MSE master’s degree means you obtain the highest academic degree available at such a university in Switzerland.

The direction of the degree programme is determined by the profile and structured in detail by the choice of modules and topics with the support of advisors.

Master of Science in Engineering
MSc Engineering BFH - Partner

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