MSE Master of Science in Engineering

The Swiss engineering master's degree


Computer Science (CS)

The ongoing digitalisation in all aspects of life demands well-trained specialists. With the MSE in Computer Science you can actively shape this development. 

Outline of profession

The Swiss ICT sector offers employment for more than 210,000 people in Software Engineering and Technology, Information and Communications Systems, Cybersecurity, Advanced User Interfaces, and Embedded Computing. With the MSE, you will be in demand for positions in research and development as well as in technical management. You will be able to work in service or production companies in the private and public sectors.

Profile contents

With a master’s degree in Computer Science, you will acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in the following subject areas:

  • Software engineering and technology
  • Distributed information systems
  • Cybersecurity
  • Advanced user interfaces
  • Embedded computing
  • Communication systems

Professional Skills

In the MSE in Computer Science, you will acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in research and development, planning, specification and design of innovative ICT systems and architectures. 
You will develop ICT systems in close collaboration with users and stakeholders and integrate them into heterogeneous IT landscapes, taking into account the necessary security, quality and regulatory aspects. You will be able to develop tools for data analysis and management, simulation and modelling. You will implement these tools to solve complex problems by skillfully using adequate methods of data analysis and decision making. You will analyse and evaluate new technologies and research approaches to find innovative solutions, and take into account explicit and implicit requirements and boundary conditions in your decision processes.
Besides technical skills, you will extend and deepen your management skills to lead development teams in a productive way and to take ownership of the management of IT infrastructures.

Entry skills and enrolment process

Specific qualifications are required to enroll in this profile. Students holding the following bachelor’s degree with above-average marks generally fulfil these entry requirements.

  • BSc in Computer Science

Assessment of entry skills is part of the enrolment process of the relevant school. Students who do not hold one of the above-mentioned bachelor’s degrees will be individually assessed for their suitability by the relevant University of Applied Sciences.

Recommended theory modules

The theory modules comprise 30 out of 90 ECTS. The modules are taught by professors from all over Switzerland at various locations. You will take these modules together with other MSE students. You can find the recommended theory modules for the MSE in Computer Science (CS) here. 

Additional skills relative to Bachelor of Science

Compared to the BSc, an MSE in Computer Science enables you to extend and deepen your theoretical knowledge, conceptual abilities and skills. You will be able to analyse issues and abstract from underlying problems to find efficient, sustainable and innovative solutions. You will be able to evaluate new technologies and research findings and apply them for innovative solutions for real problems.

Discover more

Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) offering the Computer Science (CS) profile are shown below. Find out more about the courses of study at the individual UASs. 

Study language

Specialisation studies in German or French (Biel), theory modules in English, German or French

Main focus

  • Development of mobile applications
  • Distributed authentication methods and applications
  • Information security in the area of government, business or personal applications
  • Distributed sensor networks with Secure Internet of Things

Check profile at BFH

Study language

English only or mix in English and German

Main focus

  • Interactive Technologies: design new interface and interaction solutions
  • Software Engineering: develop efficient software useful
  • Distributed Systems: develop secure systems that interact with the physical world
  • Data Science: using computer science methods to gain insights from data

Check profile at FHNW

Study language

Central modules (30 ECTS) and deepening modules (18 ECTS) are given in English and French. Deepening projects (2x6 ECTS) and Master thesis (30 ECTS) can be realized either in English or in French.

Main focus

The Computer Science profile (CS) at HES-SO aims at acquiring deep practical and methodological competences in Cybersecurity, Embedded Systems, Software Engineering and Communication Systems. You will be able to work in service or production companies in the private and public sectors.

Check profile at HES-SO

Study language

German and English

Main focus

  • Research, develop, plan, specify and design innovative IT solutions and architectures.
  • Test, optimization and risk analysis of various types of IT systems and infrastructures.
  • Focus on Software Engineering and Technology, Information and Communication Systems, Mobile Computing, Embedded Systems, Computer Vision, Immersive Realities, Quantum Informatics, Cybersecurity and Internet of Things. 

Go to profile at HSLU

Study language

English (theory and context modules)
English or German (professional specialization in chosen profile)

Main focus

  • Software Engineering and Technology
  • Cybersecurity
  • Communication Systems
  • Advanced User Interfaces
  • Programming Languages
  • Software Defined Networking

Check profile at OST

Study language

English 

Main focus

  • Human-Computer Interaction and NLP 
  • Internet of Things, complex and social networks
  • Audio-visual processing, VR/AR/MR and Digital Gaming
  • Cloud-native applications and services
  • ICT Security and Blockchain
  • Educational Technologies and open data

Go to profile at SUPSI

Study language

English only or English/German

Main focus

  • Advanced UI, VR/AR, accessibility, STT, NLP
  • Information systems, IR, AI, ML, big data
  • Agile SWE, cloud and scientific computing
  • Cyber security
  • Embedded Systems, IoT, low power, real time, system on chip, networks
  • Signal processing, wireless communication 

Check profile at ZHAW