Good to know
At the FFHS, you can study largely independently of time and place, without having to forego the exchange with fellow students and lecturers. Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about studying.
Admission and Credit Transfer
What are the admission requirements for studying at the FFHS?
Persons who meet one of the following requirements are admitted to a Bachelor's degree programme: Vocational or technical baccalaureate, grammar school baccalaureate with one year of professional practice, diploma from a higher technical college (HF). Depending on the field of study, additional requirements are set and preliminary courses are offered. These are listed on the website for each degree programme.
For the admission requirements of the Master's degree programmes and continuing education programmes at the FFHS, please refer to the respective degree programmes on our website.
Can I have credits from other courses (HF, UAS, university) recognised?
Graduates of a subject-specific or similar higher technical college (HF) have the option of entering a higher semester of the Bachelor's degree programmes at the FFHS (see passerelles).
Prior learning will be credited if comparable content has already been successfully completed to a comparable extent (duration, ECTS) at university level (Uni, PH, FH).
Are the degrees of the FFHS recognised and equivalent to degrees of other universities of applied sciences?
As a member of the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland SUPSI, the Distance Learning University of Applied Sciences Switzerland (FFHS) is a federally recognised university of applied sciences under public law.
The difference to other universities of applied sciences lies in the teaching and learning method (cf. study model), which is the component of distance learning. You can continue your academic education alongside your career (i.e. alongside your job and family) with a scientifically and professionally sound, federally and internationally recognised degree programme.
Teaching and Workload
Where will my studies mainly take place?
On which days do the face-to-face classes take place?
How does the virtual class work?
Are face-to-face classes compulsory?
What is the workload?
What is the maximum recommended occupation alongside studies?
When do the exams take place?
About the degree programmes
What do the abbreviations BSc, MSc, MAS, EMBA, DAS and CAS mean?
The Bachelor's degree programme (BSc, Bachelor of Science) is the first level of study in higher education. It leads to an application-oriented and scientifically founded professional field qualification in the field of study. This is to be understood in a broad, fundamental sense. The Bachelor's degree programme provides a sound basis for an enduring, generalist professional field qualification and is not aimed at an immediate orientation towards short-term labour market-oriented needs. The Bachelor's degree also qualifies students for a Master's degree (MSc) in a corresponding subject area.
The MSc (Master of Science, also called consecutive Master) is a postgraduate Master's programme of the 2nd level of education and follows the Bachelor's programme in the same subject. The prerequisite for taking an MSc is a completed Bachelor's degree "of Science" or "of Art". The MSc corresponds to the classic university degree, although the universities of applied sciences design and offer this degree programme in a more practice-oriented way. A doctorate is possible afterwards.
The MAS (Master of Advanced Studies) is an executive Master's programme, which is designed as further education for people with a university degree and relevant professional experience. The MAS is divided into a certificate level (CAS) and diploma level (DAS), before the master's level (MAS) is reached with a master's thesis.
The EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration, also known as MBA) is a postgraduate, mostly generalist management programme in continuing education. The target groups are non-economists, for example engineers, natural scientists and humanities graduates, lawyers and doctors, with several years of professional experience who wish to qualify for management positions.
What platforms does the FFHS work with?
Moodle
At the FFHS, we use the "Moodle" learning platform for supervised online studies. Moodle is one of the most widely used Learning Management Systems (LMS). As a result, Moodle has a very active community and the LMS is constantly being further developed.
Student portal
The student portal students.ffhs.ch is your hub for almost all administrative matters concerning your studies. Here you will find forms, timetable details and much more information.
Webmail
All students receive a personal FFHS e-mail address to which important changes, information and updates from the FFHS are sent. The link to your mail account is webmail.ffhs.ch.
What requirements does my laptop need for my studies?
Students must have a laptop and internet access. The laptop is to be brought to the attendance events if required.
Minimum technical requirements (valid from HS21/22)
How can I finance my studies?
The study programme at the FFHS is designed in such a way that you can pursue a professional activity at the same time. Ask your employer for financing options. If this is not possible, there is the option of applying for a scholarship or a loan in your canton of residence.