Master of Science in Engineering | ZHAW School of Engineering

«I was enthusiastic about the Master's program at ZHAW. It was much less rigidly structured compared to the Bachelor's program and offered more flexibility in choosing courses.»

Fabiano Ulmke, Graduate with an MSE in Business Engineering
For the graduate profile, click here

Why choose to pursue a Master’s degree?

The best Bachelor students who have completed a Bachelor's degree with an A or B grade have the opportunity to pursue a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE). The Master's degree is the highest academic university degree. It opens up considerable career prospects and represents a continuation of your academic career.

You will focus on a specialisation at one of our institutes or centres, where you will work on projects and complete your Master’s thesis. The Master’s programme can be combined with a stay abroad, during which you may choose to write your Master’s thesis at a partner university, for example.

The ZHAW School of Engineering offers a Master’s programme in the areas of Aviation, Business Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Energy and Environment, Information and Cyber Security, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Automation, Medical Engineering and Photonics and Laser Engineering. The courses will be held in english.

At a glance

Completion: Master of Science in Engineering with Specialisation in (profile) UAS Zurich
Application: Application
Time expenditure: 90 ECTS-Credits
Course duration: Three semesters (full-time) / six semesters (part-time)
Admission criteria: Bachelor's degree (A or B grades), details on the admission criteria
Start: Choice of autumn or spring semester
Application deadlines: End of October and end of April (or as agreed)
Course location: Zurich (theory modules) and Winterthur (specialised modules)
Language of instruction: English
Costs: CHF 720 per Semester + additional study costs
Profiles: Aviation, Business Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Energy and Environment, Information and Cyber Security, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Automation, Medical Engineering, Photonics and Laser Engineering
Curriculum design: Curriculum structure, theory modules, in-depth specialisation, Master's thesis

Let's go

apply now for Master's degree programme

Profiles in MSE

ZHAW School of Engineering offers the following twelve profiles: Aviation, Business Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Energy and Environment, Information and Cyber Security, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Automation, Medical Engineering, Photonics and Laser Engineering

When choosing a profile, you specify a particular focus and determine your general direction of specialisation without having to focus strongly. The profile appears after successful graduation with the title "Master of Science in Engineering ZHAW in (name of profile)".

Overview profiles in MSE

Collaboration with industry partners

The institutes and centres of the School of Engineering engage in research and development projects together with industry and business partners. You will benefit directly from this. In the specialisation work and Master’s thesis, you will work on your own topics in close collaboration with industrial companies and service providers.

For companies

Collaboration within the framework of project, Bachelor’s and Master’s theses

Studies abroad and double degree

Enhance your master's studies with international experience through various options:

Exchange Semester: Spend a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.
Master’s Thesis Abroad: Conduct your thesis at one of 120 partner universities worldwide.
Double Degree Programmes: Earn two master's degrees in a single programme while spending one academic year at a partner university.

For details, visit the International Office webpage or contact Patricia Heuberger, Head of International Relations.

For details on double degree requirements and curriculum, visit Double Degree Programmes or contact Prof. Konrad Stadler, Study Director of the MSE Programme.

"This year abroad was a very good experience for me personally. I learned to find my way in a new environment on my own and to react flexibly to new challenges every day."

Dominic Thaler, Swiss graduate of the double degree programme with Washington State University, and currently Design Engineer at RUAG Space.

Comprehensive graduate portrait of Dominic Thaler

Full- and Part-time studies

The master’s degree can be completed both as a full-time course lasting three semesters and as a part-time course lasting four to six semesters. As a part-time student, you can be employed by any employer of your choice. The combination of part-time studies and employment as a scientific assistant at one of our institutes or centers is also popular.

Annual schedule

The study programme is geared to the academic calendar, with some adjustment possible due to individual project situations. By contrast, the teaching times and examination sessions are fixed. It is possible to start your studies in either the spring or autumn semester.

Information events and application

Information events

April 8, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 PM (Online)

Study Application

Registrations for the autumn semester (starting in September) are possible from the beginning of February until the end of April. For the spring semester of the next year (starting in February) from the beginning of August until the end of October.