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Nursing

We train advanced practice nurses.

With a Master of Science in Nursing, you will lay the foundation for working as an advanced practice nurse (APN) and further develop your professional skills. You will open up a wide range of career options in healthcare, management, education and research.

As an APN and with a Master of Science in Nursing, you will be a key figure in the healthcare system. You will further develop nursing, confidently support people in challenging situations, be able to teach at bachelor's level and work in research. You can study according to your needs, either full-time or part-time.

Begin your studies in autumn 2026 – now with 120 ECTS credits.

Factsheet

  • Title/Degree Master of Science (MSc)
  • Specialisations Clinical Nurse Specialist
    Nurse Practitioner
    Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
    Nurse Research Collaborator
  • Mode of study Full-time (4 semesters)
    Part-time (approx. 8 semesters)
  • Start date Academic year 2026 | 14 September 2026
  • Application deadline Academic year 2026 | 30 April 2026
  • ECTS credits 120 ECTS credits
  • Teaching language German / English
  • Location Bern
  • School School of Health Professions
  • Next info event 16 October 2025

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Focus areas

The master’s degree programme consists of five module groups: Profession-specific, Research, Interprofessional, Transfer and Master’s thesis. In the Profession-specific module group, we offer you the following specialisations: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Nurse Research Collaborator (NRC). Theory-practice transfer is important to us, so academia and practice are closely interlinked throughout the degree programme.

Adjustment to 120 ECTS: More depth, more perspectives

Starting in autumn 2026, the Master of Science in Nursing will comprise 120 ECTS credits (previously 90 ECTS).

This expansion will give you more time for in-depth, practice-relevant content, scientific work and targeted preparation for your role as an advanced practice nurse in nursing practice, research and development. The adjustment strengthens international comparability and is in line with current developments in higher education. With 120 ECTS, you will gain a solid foundation for demanding roles in the healthcare sector.

What you stand to gain from this degree programme

We train competent advanced practice nurses: with the consecutive Master of Science in Nursing programme, you will acquire the essential foundations for your work as an APN. 

The Master of Science in Nursing programme will equip you with the specialist knowledge and skills required for complex decision-making. You will acquire clinical competencies for advanced and in-depth nursing practice as an advanced practice nurse. You will treat and support people in complex, challenging situations and contribute to improving their care.

In addition to an in-depth and interconnected understanding of the healthcare system, you will receive thorough training in the clinical subjects of advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment and advanced pharmacology. These are essential for working as an advanced practice nurse. With a large proportion of supervised practice, you will deepen your knowledge and apply it. 

What sets us apart

  • In-depth expertise in Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) 
  • Active involvement in the further development of APN roles 
  • Strong practice networking with partners and secure practice placements  
  • International cooperation with leading institutions
  • Focus on sustainability – participation in the Planetary Health Report Card (PHRC)
  • User involvement and peer work (especially in PMHNP)
  • Flexible study design to balance work and family life
  • Foundation for working as a school nurse

The specialisations

Set the focus for your professional future. The Master of Science in Nursing degree programme offers you four areas of specialisation.

Programme overview

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) specialisation is characterised by working as a member of the healthcare team. The role of the CNS encompasses patients, nurses and nursing practice, as well as healthcare organisations and the healthcare system. CNSs provide expert treatment and advice in specialised clinical areas of practice and offer advanced and in-depth care. They are responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of health/disease conditions, disease management, health promotion, and the prevention of disease and risk behaviour in individuals, families, groups, and communities.

This specialisation is aligned with international standards and offers a 

  • high proportion of supervised practice 
  • high proportion of advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment and advanced pharmacology 
  • broad scientific component for evidence-based practice

The Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialisation focuses on working in primary healthcare. You will acquire the necessary skills to assess, advise, support, diagnose and treat people in acute situations as well as those requiring long-term care for chronic conditions. Nurse practitioners are nursing experts who care for patients with complex clinical pictures – from diagnosis to end of life.

This specialisation is aligned with international standards and offers a 

  • high proportion of supervised practice 
  • high proportion of advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment and advanced pharmacology 
  • broad scientific component for evidence-based practice

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialisation focuses on the care and support of adults with mental disorders in various care settings. You will acquire the skills to assess patients' situations, develop multi-professional treatment plans and implement measures to promote mental health and prevention. The application of classical theories, research findings and a holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural approach provides a comprehensive framework for the development of knowledge and skills for clinical management. 

This specialisation is aligned with international standards and offers a 

  • high proportion of supervised practice 
  • high proportion of mental health systems and approaches 
  • high proportion of advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment and advanced pharmacology 
  • broad scientific component for evidence-based practice 

The Nurse Research Collaborator (NRC) specialisation focuses on scientific nursing practice, for example in the research department of a hospital or nursing research at a university. You will acquire the skills to plan research processes, apply different research methods and implement research results. 

This specialisation is aligned with international standards and offers a 

  • high proportion of supervised practice 
  • high proportion of research methods and management 
  • high proportion of advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment and advanced pharmacology 
  • broad scientific component for evidence-based practice 

Combining theory and practice in research projects

Teaching, practice and research are closely connected. Your course programme will be linked to examples from our lecturers’ nursing research.

View research in nursing

Career prospects

The Master of Science in Nursing prepares you for the demands of being an advanced practice nurse. Our specialisations will equip you for advanced roles in specific fields of practice.

Ready for leadership and expert roles?

With a Master of Science in Nursing, you can work as an advanced practice nurse in hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient care providers, health authorities, or as a lecturer in teaching and research.

Our graduates work in the following roles:

  • CNS in all clinical areas, such as visceral surgery, urology, neonatology
  • NP in primary care practices, home care, long-term facilities
  • PMHNP in inpatient and outpatient care
  • NRC in universities and hospitals
  • Research or teaching associate in academia and practice

A doctorate – your career in teaching and research

The Master of Science in Nursing opens the path to a doctorate. In our doctorate programme, you deepen your scientific work, expand your knowledge in a field of your choice and conduct your first independent research project. A doctorate opens up further career options, especially in teaching and research at universities and in practice. BFH allows you to complete your doctorate in cooperation with other universities in Switzerland and abroad.

Duration + content

We offer programme structures that suit your lifestyle. You can study for a Master of Science in Nursing on a part-time or full-time basis. The languages of instruction are German and English.

Full-time or part-time

The full-time programme lasts four semesters and requires 80–100% of your time. Part-time employment is possible at a rate of approximately 20%.

The part-time programme offers you more flexibility. You study for eight semesters and are required to devote 60% of your time to your studies. The part-time programme makes it easier to combine your studies with other work commitments.

Need help deciding which plan works best for you? We’re happy to help.

Study plan

Whether full-time or part-time, our master’s programme consists of five module groups. We pay particular attention to the close relationship between theory and practice.

Modules

The programme is divided into five module groups. There are compulsory, compulsory elective and elective modules: compulsory modules are mandatory, while compulsory elective modules can be freely chosen from a specified range. Elective modules cover your further personal interests and are credited in addition to the 120 ECTS credits. You complete the modules in contact study (face-to-face and online components) and in self-study (preparation and follow-up components).

In this module group, you will deepen your knowledge in

  • Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Physical Assessment und Advanced Pharmacology 
  • Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Selfmanagement 
  • Evidenz-Based Interventions 
  • Health Care Systems and Approaches 

In this module group, you will deepen your knowledge of the following topics:

  • Philosophy of science for health professions 
  • Research methods  
  • Applied statistics 
  • Research planning 
Research module group (PDF, 94 KB)

You will complete the modules together with other Master's students in the Department of Health, develop your interprofessional skills and deepen your knowledge of the following topics:

  • Applied ethics
  • Advanced practice
  • Communication
  • Leadership and organisational development
  • Fundamentals of health economics 
Interprofessional module group (PDF, 121 KB)

In the Transfer module group, you will gain practical experience and link this to theory. 
  
In the Supervised Clinical Practice modules, you will be assigned to a practice partner and work under supervision in relation to Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Physical Assessment and Advanced Pharmacology. 

In the APN Placement modules, you will work under supervision in relation to the advanced practice nursing role.

In the Master's thesis module, you will work on a question within a nursing-related research project. You will write an academic research paper on your findings: you will reflect on connections, provide reasons for your decisions and recommendations, and employ scientific methods to evaluate your own work.

Discover the variety of topics explored in our master’s theses

Admission requirements

Do you hold a degree issued under the former diploma-based system? To be considered for our programme, you must first apply for the required title (Swiss NTE procedure) from your former university.

Academic prerequisites

You will be admitted directly to the programme:

  • With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a Swiss university with a minimum grade point average of 5.0

  • With an equivalent degree from a university abroad with a minimum grade point average of 5.0

You will be admitted to the programme pending an aptitude assessment:

  • With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a Swiss university with a minimum grade point average of less than 5.0

  • With an equivalent degree from a university abroad with a minimum grade point average of less than 5.0

  • With a degree in nursing from the former diploma-based system along with a subsequently acquired title. This requires a continuing education programme certified according to SERI

  • With a recognised qualification as a nursing professional and additional advanced training comparable in content and scope to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, e.g. Higher Technical School qualification as a nursing professional plus Master of Advanced Studies in the field of Nursing

You will receive the date for the aptitude assessment after we have reviewed your documents.

List of continuing education programmes of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation 

The Head of Degree Programme may impose conditions on your admission. These conditions are typically related to such matters as scientific work, applied statistics and clinical assessment.

You would acquire the required competencies at BFH in the following courses: 

Pending approval by the Head of Degree Programme, you may receive credit for specialist courses from other universities with similar content.

Professional prerequisites

For the Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialisations, applicants must be able to demonstrate two years of relevant professional experience.

Supplementary information on admission

The languages of instruction are German and English. You must demonstrate very good oral and written skills in both languages (German level C1 and English level B).

We check the qualifications of foreign applicants individually.

International diplomas must be recognised by the Swiss Red Cross before you can work in a regulated healthcare profession in Switzerland.

The requirement for recognition by the Swiss Red Cross may be waived.

Information for international students

The Swiss education system is designed to be open and facilitate all students’ learning. Depending on your educational background, you may also be admitted to the programme with a comparable bachelor’s degree. Please make an appointment for a consultation with the Head of Degree Programme.

The ‘Reasonable accommodations’ form allows applicants with a mental or physical illness or disability to apply for reasonable accommodations to be made with regard to the aptitude assessment. Persons who wish to apply for compensation for disadvantages are advised to register for their studies early and submit their application.

Application form for reasonable accommodations (PDF, 133 KB)

Transfer + re-entry

Are you interested in transferring or re-entering Bern University of Applied Sciences?

Information sheet on transferring to a Bachelor/Master degree programme (PDF, 78 KB)
Information sheet on re-entry into a Bachelor/Master degree programme (PDF, 106 KB)

Application

Submit your application early. Not sure you meet all the requirements? We’re happy to help.

Application deadlines

Application deadline: 30 April 2026
Start date: 14 September 2026

You will receive the date for the aptitude assessment after we have reviewed your documents.

Start your studies in autumn 2026

Register by 30 April 2026.

Brief explanation of the online application

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

Online Application Guide (PDF, 71 KB)

Application documents

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

Mandatory requirements:

  • ID or passport
  • Passport photo that meets international passport requirements

Other documents (certificates, etc.)

  • Diplomas and leaving certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, university entrance qualification, Abitur or upper secondary level qualification)
  • Swiss Federal VET diploma with grades
  • Employer references and/or internship certificates
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Additional documents may be required, depending on your educational background
Application document checklist for the Master of Science in Nursing (PDF, 67 KB)
Application checklist for studying at Bern University of Applied Sciences

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

Costs

At BFH, different fees apply for programmes and examinations.

Application (per application)*

CHF 100

Matriculation**

CHF 100

Tuition fees (per semester)

CHF 750

Tuition fees for international students*** (per semester)

CHF 950

Examination fee (per semester)

CHF 80

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

CHF 24

Membership fee for the Bern University of Applied Sciences Student Association (VSBFH) (per semester)

CHF 15

 

Subject to change without notice.

 

* plus CHF 10 processing fee if paying by paying-in slip/paper invoice.
** If the application leads to matriculation, the matriculation fee is covered by the application fee.
*** 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. This rule applies as of the 2018/19 autumn semester.

Aptitude assessment fee

The aptitude assessment costs CHF 200.

Grants, loans and other funding options

Financial aid is available through grants and loans. Grants are one-off or ongoing payments that don’t usually have to be paid back provided you complete your course. Loans are one-off or ongoing payments that must be paid back after you finish your course.

Cantonal grants

Grants and loans for Swiss students and overseas students are generally paid out by the canton where the students’ parents are tax residents.

Students who have been tax residents in the Canton of Bern for at least two years are able to apply for cantonal grants and loans. Applications should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office at the Department of Education.

Further information (incl. financial aid calculator):

The websites educaswiss.ch, stipendium.ch and European Funding Guide cover all the key information about grants in Switzerland and overseas.

Foundations and funds

There are also numerous private foundations and funds that offer financial support to students. The electronic foundation directory administered by the Federal Department of Home Affairs offers a comprehensive summary of these organisations and can be searched by keywords (e.g. student, research, financial aid, etc.). Other sources of funding include the foundation directories for individual cantons and private foundations.

The following foundations offer funding specifically to BFH students and students from other universities:

Further information

Advice + information

Still have questions about the programme? We are happy to answer all of your questions about our programme: admissions, organisation, administration, structure and support.

Advice

Still have questions about the programme and your career? The Administrative Office of the master’s degree programmes is here to help. The Admissions Office and Student Administration can help with information about admissions, aptitude assessments and applications.

Administration Master's degree programs

  • +41 31 848 35 68
  • Show e-mail

Studierendenadministration Departement Gesundheit

  • +41 31 848 35 35
  • Show e-mail

Prof. Dr. Christian Eissler

  • Leiter MSc Pflege
  • +41 31 848 47 24
  • Show e-mail

Information event

Visit one of our information events and find out all about the degree programme, the admission requirements and your career prospects.

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Location + facilities

The degree programme Master of Science in Nursing is based in Bern. Bern is a remarkable educational hub. Our faculty provide you with a range of perspectives on learning and research.

Bern – Health Professions Department

Our Health Professions Department is located within a 10-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride from Bern central station.

Show location

The Learning Centre

The Learning Centre in the Health Professions Department provides a modern learning and teaching environment with digital teaching, communication skills training and a Skills Centre. Training in the Learning Centre is conducted using equipment and models in a realistic, simulated professional setting. 

More info on the Learning Centre