Digital Business Administration

Practice-led and geared for success: our Master’s in Digital Business Administration prepares you to make companies and organisations fit for the digital future. Gain valuable experience through real digitalisation projects with live case partners during your studies.
Benefit from cooperation with international universities and from the option of a double degree.

Already started your career? Wonderful: the hybrid, flexible nature of our programme means you will have no problem integrating your studies into your working life.

Lead the way forward with an MSc in Digital Business Administration

Begin your studies in autumn 2025!

Curriculum change from HS25. Details will be published in autumn 2024. 

((Störer)) Degree programme in English

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Master of Science (MSc) in Digital Business Administration
  • Specialisations None
  • Mode of study Hybrid study, four on-campus classroom blocks (Thursday to Saturday) per semester, plus six flexible virtual learning cycles.
  • Start date CW 37 and 38
  • Application deadline 31 July (place guaranteed until 31 March)
  • ECTS credits 90 ECTS credits
  • Teaching language English
  • Location Bern and asynchronous virtual learning
  • School Business School
  • Next info event 20 November 2024, 12pm - 1pm, online (MS Teams)
    11 December 2024, 5pm - 6pm, online (MS Teams)
    7 January 2025, 5pm - 6pm, online (MS Teams)

Focus areas

Become a digital change maker with a Master of Science in Digital Business Administration.

Develop your skills in the field of digital strategies, leadership and organisation and learn how to use data and technology to optimum effect in your business.

Fill your digital toolbox and gain experience by working on real-world issues from the field.

What you will gain with your degree

Become an expert in digital transformation in business and society with our Master’s in Digital Business Administration. You will work on practical live cases during your studies, developing digital business models for real business partners. And you will expand your digital toolbox, acquiring practical skills in areas such as design thinking, agility and change management.

Individual expertise profile

Establish an individual expertise profile based on your background and experience, for example in e-health, fintech or digital marketing.

Curriculum change from HS25. Details will be published in September 2024.

Combining theory and practice in research projects

Teaching, practice and research are closely connected at BFH. During your Master’s degree programme, you will be able to gain experience in a range of research fields.

Career prospects

Keep your finger on the pulse with a Master’s in Digital Business Administration. Become a digital change maker for your organisation!

Interested in evolving digital business models and helping to shape the latest developments? A Master’s in Digital Business Administration prepares you to play a central role in the digital future of your organisation.  

Ready for challenging leadership and expert roles?

Shape the digital transformation of your organisation – for example, as Chief Digital Officer. 

Our graduates work in the following fields: 

  • Chief Digital Officer 

  • Digital Business Architect 

  • Digital Strategist 

  • Digital Project Manager 

  • Digital Business Analyst 

  • eBusiness Manager

Duration + Content

You should have no difficulty balancing the Master’s in Digital Business Administration with your career. The programme’s mode of study combines contact hours, arranged in three-day blocks, and online (self) study. You can comfortably manage a 60–70% workload alongside your studies. The language of instruction is English.

Study model

The classroom blocks, always held from Thursday to Saturday, take place around four to five times a semester (approx. once a month). Online learning is organised in predefined, two-week cycles. How you schedule your learning within each period will largely be up to you.  

The Master’s programme typically takes four semesters. We recommend the workload of 60% next to the study. Need more time? No problem: you have the option of extending your study period (e.g. to six semesters) for extra flexibility.

Study model: MSc in Digital Business Administration Enlarge image

Study schedule

The programme content centres around four key module groups: 

  • Entrepreneurship and Strategy 

  • Leadership and Organisation 

  • Technologies, Data and Operations 

  • Business Research & Methods 

We also focus on handy intermodular skills for your personal digital toolbox (e.g. design thinking and change management).  

Live cases are a central part of the programme. These involve creating digital business models for real business partners. 

Curriculum

Curriculum: MSc in Digital Business Administration Enlarge image

Module groups

You will 

  • Develop, evaluate and implement digital strategies 

  • Understand how digital ecosystems work and how to use them 

  • Establish or reconfigure an organisation with an innovative digital business model and position it on the market 

  • Establish governance and structures and integrate them into the change process

You will: 

  • Create a vision for transformation  

  • Assess the impact of digital transformation on employees and organisation  

  • Actively help shape international, intercultural and interdisciplinary cooperation  

You will: 

  • Prepare and analyse data from primary sources 
  • Gain valuable insight from data and present it to stakeholders in a visually appealing way 

  • Understand the impact and advantages of new digital technologies 

  • Deploy technologies in an entrepreneurial and profitable way 

You will: 

  • Create a vision for transformation  

  • Assess the impact of digital transformation on employees and organisation  

  • Actively help shape international, intercultural and interdisciplinary cooperation 

Intermodular content

The focus each semester is on an intermodular live case. In the live cases, we tackle the challenges faced by real businesses in the following scenarios: 

  • Digitalisation of existing businesses and business practices
  • Expansion and development of business models using digital resources and technologies
  • Development of new digital business models

The aim of the digital toolbox is to introduce students to tools, skills and methodologies that they can adopt, apply and evolve during the programme, e.g.: 

  • Design thinking
  • Agile project management
  • Computational thinking
  • Change management
  • Innovation and cooperation
  • Prototyping

Additional opportunities

We partner with top universities worldwide. You may study abroad at another university for one semester. Courses taken during your exchange can be credited towards the Swiss degree, pending approval by the head of your degree programme.

We also offer double degree programmes with selected universities. You will spend one semester of studies at the partner university and graduate with a degree from both institutions.

You may participate in the Business School mentoring programme during your studies.

More information: Mentoring programme

The Certificate of Global Competence gives you the opportunity to gain skills in the areas of inter- and transculturalism as part of your regular studies.

The Certificate of Engagement provides proof of the time and effort you dedicated to the BFH Business School.

The supplementary Certificate of Engagement in Sustainability recognises your social commitment and the additional effort you put into expanding your knowledge and skills pertaining to sustainability.

What makes this programme different?

The BFH Business School offers three different master’s degree programmes. The table below compares the three programmes and shows how they differ in terms of content and format.

     

MSc in Business Administration with
specialisation in Corporate/Business Development

  MSc in Business Information Technology MSc in Digital Business Administration  
Underlying idea    

Adopt an entrepreneurial, digital and sustainable approach. Actively help to shape current and future transformations in businesses and take on challenging leadership roles.

  Direct the implementation of digital transformation, mediating between business and technology, IT management
  • Transform existing companies digitally
  • Extend existing business models digitally
  • Develop new digital business models
 
Career prospects    
  • Business Development Manager
  • Business Consultant/Analyst
  • Manager of demanding, complex projects
  • General management roles in SMEs or in business units/profit centres of major corporations
 
  • Enterprise Architect
  • Business Analyst
  • IT Consultant
  • Chief Information Officer (CIO)
  • Chief Digital Officer
  • Digital Business Architect
  • Digital Strategist
  • Digital Project Manager
  • Digital Business Analyst
  • eBusiness Manager
 

Target group & Requirements

   

Bachelor’s in Business Administration and related degrees

 
  • Bachelor’s in Business Information Technology
  • Bachelor’s in Business Administration
  • Bachelor’s in Computer Science
  • Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering and Management Science and related degrees
  • Bachelor’s in Business Administration
  • Bachelor’s in Business Information Technology
  • Related study programmes
 

Location

   

Bern (individual modules in St.Gallen as an option)

  Zurich (classroom teaching)
Bern (coaching)
Bern and asynchronous virtual learning  

Time frame

   
  • 4 semesters as standard (extension available)
  • Fridays classroom teaching/Saturdays online teaching
  • 60-70% FTE recommended
 
  • 4 semesters as standard (extension available)
  • Mondays/Tuesdays
  • 60-70% FTE recommended
  • 4 semesters (standard) or 6 semesters (with extension)
  • Hybrid study: 4 on-campus classroom blocks (Thursday to Saturday) per semester, plus 6 flexible virtual learning cycles
  • 60-70% FTE recommended
 
Language     German   German English  
Learning methodology    
  • Combination of classroom-based and online teaching
  • Case studies
  • Practical projects
  • Simulations
  • Study trip (Asia, Europe)
  • Company visits
 
  • Focus on classroom-based teaching
  • Case studies
  • Practical projects
  • Study trip (Europe)
  • Combination of virtual ‘learning cycles’ and on-campus days
  • Experiment-centred
  • Hands-on (e.g. AI, app)
  • Live cases
  • International (virtual) cooperation/study trip
 
Cooperation    

OST (Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences)

  FFHS (Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences), OST (Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences) and HSLU (Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts) -  
Double Degree     USC Australia   - USC Australia
SolBridge International School of Business, South Korea
 

 

Admission requirements

There are many paths leading to the Master of Science in Digital Business Administration. A bachelor’s degree in business administration or business information technology is a prerequisite. The head of the degree programme makes the final admission decision.

Do you have a university degree in another discipline that relates to (digital) business administration and/or digital business, for example in communication, media studies, business engineering or agricultural economics?

You need to meet the following provisions:

  • At least 30 ECTS credits of your bachelor’s degree were earned in business or economics-related modules.
  • You can demonstrate at least six months of professional experience, recognised by the Business School.
  • Applicants from abroad must have an equivalent degree (as per the swissuniversities regulations) plus at least six months of professional experience recognised by the BFH Business School.

Before applying to BFH, please check with the Swiss embassy in your country about regulations and the process of applying for a student visa. In some countries, school and university degrees must be notarised before they can be submitted to the Swiss embassy. The notarisation process can take up to 10 weeks. When applying to BFH Business School from these countries, you must include copies of the certified documents with your other application forms.

Students with an equivalent degree in business and economics or business administration awarded by a university abroad are also eligible for admission.

Language skills

Teaching is in English. You will need to be proficient in English to at least C1 level .

Proof of language proficiency can be a C1 certificate, for example, an equivalent diploma, or proof that the candidate has studied/worked in English or similar.

Once you have applied, the Administrative Assistant will arrange an advisory interview for you with the head of the programme.

Administrative Assistant

Application

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

Application deadlines

Application deadline: 31 July (place guaranteed until 31 March)
Start date: calendar week 37/38
Induction day:  first day of programme in calendar week 37 
Request for credit transfer: 15 August
Deadline to withdraw application: 31 July

Start your studies this autumn semester

If you need to apply for a visa, we recommend that you register for this degree programme by 31 March. 

Curriculum change from HS25. Details will be published in September 2024.

Brief explanation of the online application

Online applications only.
Our Online Application Guide explains how it works, step by step.

Application documents

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

Mandatory requirements:

  • Passport or ID card (front and back) 
  • Passport photo that meets international passport requirements
  • Up-to-date CV
  • Proof of proficiency in English to at least C1 (C1 English certificate or equivalent/alternative proof e.g. degree/modules attended in English)
  • Personal statement 
  • Confirmation of termination of matriculation
  • Diplomas and leaving certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, university entrance qualification, Abitur or upper secondary level qualification)
  • Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent qualification plus transcript of records (ToR)

Required documentation if you were educated abroad or if your educational background is in a related field and you are looking to transfer credit from other universities

  • Passport or ID card (front and back) 
  • Passport photo that meets international passport requirements
  • Up-to-date CV
  • Proof of proficiency in English to at least C1  (C1 English certificate or equivalent/alternative proof e.g. degree/modules attended in English)
  • Personal statement
  • Confirmation of termination of matriculation
  • Comparable non-Swiss university degree with at least 30 ECTS credits in business and economics subjects (bachelor’s degree certificate) including transcript of records (ToR)
  • Proof of at least six months of professional experience, recognised by the Business School

An incomplete dossier will be rejected for revision and correction. A short period of grace is granted on the understanding that the application will be deemed withdrawn if it is not resubmitted within the specified time limit.

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

The costs per semester are: 

CHF 964.– 
CHF 1'164.– for international students*

Detailed cost breakdown:

Application (per application)** / Matriculation***

CHF 100.–

Tuition fee (per semester)

CHF 750.–

Tuition fee for international students* (per semester)

CHF 950.–

Performance assessment (per semester)

CHF 80.–

Material fees**** (per semester)

CHF 95.–

Voluntary contribution to the student body (per semester)

CHF 15.–

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

CHF 24.–

Costs for study trip (approx.) 

CHF 1000.– to 2000.–

*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.
**plus CHF 10 processing fee for payment via payment slip / paper invoice.
***If the registration leads to enrolment, the registration fee will be credited as the enrolment fee.
****excl. costs for teaching materials, specialist literature, consumables, etc.

There are two ways to finance your studies: loans and grants. More information here:

Advice + Information

Still have questions about the programme? Get in touch or visit one of our information events.

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 experience of life at the university.

Location + Facilities

Pursue your master’s degree on our ‘green campus’ in Bern’s Marzili district and at Haslerstrasse / Effingerstrasse. Both locations are a 10-15 minute walk from Bern railway station.

Brückenstrasse 73, 3005 Bern

We generally recommend travelling by bus or on foot.

There are no parking spaces available for students. Please use the public parking facilities.

Travel by bus and on foot:

  • Brückenstrasse is an approx. 10-minute walk from Bern railway station.
  • The «Marzilibahn» funicular descends into the Marzili district from the upper station (Bundeshaus-West). Brückenstrasse is around 450 metres from the lower station.
  • In the evening (from 8.37pm), bus line 30 runs between the railway station and the Marzili district (Dampfzentrale stop).

Our green campus offers a wide range of facilities.

  • Library: self-checkout is available to students around the clock.
  • Cafeteria: the cafeteria is open to students year-round. There is a full range of food and drink on offer during the semester, while vending machines are available during breaks.
Business School
Brückenstrasse 73

Haslerstrasse 30 / Effingerstrasse 47

You can reach the location from Bern railway station in seven minutes by tram/bus to the Kaufmännischer Verband stop.

Tram Nr. 6, direction Fischermätteli
Tram Nr. 7, direction Bümpliz
Tram Nr. 8, direction Bern Brünnen Westside
Bus Nr. 17, direction Köniz Weiermatt

There are no parking spaces available.

Haslerstrasse is a 15-minute walk from Bern railway station.

The cafeteria is located at Schwarztorstrasse 48.

Haslerstrasse / Effingerstrasse
Haslerstrasse / Effingerstrasse