Bachelor in Business Administration HWZ – Passerelle

The Passerelle programme is aimed at graduates of a college of professional education (höhere Fachschule – HF) who wish to expand their education academically and obtain a bachelor’s degree.

The aim is to specifically build on your existing HF knowledge, develop your scientific and analytical skills, and prepare you for demanding specialist and leadership roles.

This programme is particularly well suited to professionals who wish to further their development without interrupting their careers.

Five reasons to undertake a Passerelle programme at HWZ

A part-time bachelor’s degree at HWZ offers much more than just a flexible schedule. It is a comprehensive educational approach that intelligently combines theory and practice. The following overview explains what 'practice-oriented' and 'part-time' specifically mean for your studies – from a diverse range of teaching methods and personal development, to clear planning and immediate professional benefits.

Future skills for the modern world of work

The programme is specifically designed to build on your advanced federal diploma (HF) knowledge and provides you with expertise in four key areas:

Data driven skills

You will develop a solid understanding of working with data. From statistics and data analytics to AI essentials and academic working methods, you will learn how to analyse data-driven questions, make well-founded decisions, and present complex relationships in a clear and comprehensible manner.

Future skills and innovation toolkit

You will acquire methods and tools to actively shape change. Agile approaches and Scrum, OKR, as well as selected innovation methods, will enable you to implement projects in a structured manner, develop new ideas, and help organisations to think ahead with a focus on the future.

Personal effectiveness and learning skills

You will strengthen your personal effectiveness and learning competence. Topics such as self-leadership, mindfulness, culture, ethics and responsibility in organisations, will support you in acting reflectively, taking on responsibility and continuously developing yourself.

Core skills

You will consolidate and expand key foundational knowledge for both your studies and professional practice. This includes business mathematics, English at the C1 level and depending on your HF qualification, additional expertise in business and management.

A study model that fits your schedule

Our flexible study model combines guided independent study with focussed on-site sessions. This allows you to balance your studies optimally with your professional and personal life. Depending on your HF qualification, you will also acquire in-depth knowledge in business and management.

• Modulübersicht Passerelle nach HF – Wirtschaft & Hospitality (DE)

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• Modulübersicht Passerelle nach HF – Technik & IT (DE)

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• Modulübersicht Passerelle nach HF – Marketing (DE)

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Language and internationality

Teaching is conducted in both German and English. As a bachelor’s student, you are expected to be able to communicate fluently in English.

Proof of proficiency: level C1. The certificate must be submitted no later than the end of the programme.

The HWZ bachelor’s degree in Business Administration is a recognised qualification that opens the door to a Master of Science at a university of applied sciences or a university.

The Passerelle programme at HWZ is designed for graduates of a higher vocational college (HF) who wish to take the next academic step. In the Passerelle programme, you will acquire the specific ECTS credits required to complete your bachelor's degree. Your previous education and professional experience will be appropriately recognised.

Formal requirements

To be admitted to the Passerelle programme, you will need a federally recognised HF diploma in a business-related field, such as:

• Business Economist HF

• Banking Specialist HF*

• Insurance Management Specialist HF

• Marketing Manager HF

• Business IT Specialist HF

• Process Technician HF

• Hotelier or Restaurateur HF

• Tourism Specialist HF

*The Banking Specialist HF programme has been discontinued nationwide in Switzerland since autumn 2025. Other federally recognised qualifications may also be credited. In such cases, our staff will advise you.

Professional requirements

In addition to your HF diploma, you will also have the following professional experience:

• At least 12 months of professional experience in a commercial field

• Current employment with a workload of 50%

Recognition of ECTS credits

Your HF diploma will be recognised with 90 ECTS credits. You will acquire the remaining 90 ECTS credits as part of the Passerelle programme at HWZ.

The tuition fees are CHF 4,750 per semester. This does not include the cost of course materials, non-standard assessments and resits, external language and subject certifications, or any applicable licence fees.

The tuition fees include:

• Regular assessments

• Bachelor’s thesis

• External seminars (excluding travel expenses)

The fees can be paid in monthly instalments, in which case a surcharge of 5% will be added.

• Bachelor Fees (DE)

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Why a Passerelle programme at HWZ is also financially worthwhile

Your return on investment

Thanks to the work-compatible study model, you can largely maintain your income while studying. At the same time, you are investing in a recognised academic qualification, expanding your professional network, and laying the foundation for further career development or a master's degree.

Preparatory course in business mathematics

Participation in the Passerelle is possible without a preparatory course. The optional business mathematics course is intended for students who wish to refresh their mathematical foundations—without the pressure of examinations, but with a clear learning advantage.