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Regulatory Affairs

Regulatory affairs professionals are essential in ensuring that medical devices and pharmaceutical products meet stringent regulatory standards throughout their life cycle, thereby upholding product quality, safety, and efficacy. This program prepares you to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of the medical technology, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries with in-depth knowledge and practical skills.

The program

  • is aimed at people from the fields of pharmacy, medical technology, biotechnology, life sciences and law.
  • focuses on the regulation of pharmaceutical products and medical devices (incl. in-vitro diagnostics, combination products, software as a medical device).
  • is close to the industry.
  • consists of 4 CAS modules and the master’s thesis and usually takes 2.5 to 3 years.

  • has national and international participants.

Factsheet

  • Degree/Certificate Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) Regulatory Affairs
  • Duration 5 semesters
  • Schedule Various implementation dates
  • Application deadline 24 March
    23 September
  • ECTS credits 60 ECTS-Credits
  • Costs from CHF 34'000
  • Teaching language English, German
  • Location Biel, Aarbergstrasse 46 / Online
  • School School of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Next session Autumn semester 2025
    Spring semester 2026

Contact

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Content + Structure

This programme will provide you with the necessary expertise to work as a Regulatory Affairs Professional in the highly regulated environment of the medical technology, pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Portrait

The healthcare industry evolved greatly over the last 10 years. As a result, the tasks of Regulatory Affairs Professionals have changed accordingly. New technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning (e.g., decision support systems), home virus detection kits, wearable patient monitoring devices, companion diagnostics and precision medicine are already being used today. In the wake of such innovations and the resulting revision or creation of new regulations, Regulatory Affairs Professionals must continually expand their knowledge.

To obtain and maintain regulatory approval of healthcare products, Regulatory Affairs Professionals must fulfill the following core tasks:

  • Developing regulatory strategies
  • Implementing regulatory measures
  • Adhering to quality management
  • Solving trade-related issues
  • Negotiating/communicating with authorities
  • Crisis management

Career prospects

With a Master of Advanced Studies in Regulatory Affairs, you will be qualified to take on a responsible position in the medical technology and pharmaceutical industry. The roles are not only critical for the success of companies – many of them are also legally required functions.

Role Sector Main Responsibilities
Person Responsible for Regulatory Compliance (PRRC) Medical Devices    Compliance with regulatory requirement, technical documentation, PMS/Vigilance obligation, QMS oversight
Regulatory Affairs Manager (RA) Pharmaceuticals   Regulatory submissions, communications with authorities, lifecycle management of approvals
Qualified Person (QP) Pharmaceuticals Batch release, ensuring GMP compliance, responsibility for manufacturing conformity
Qualified Prson for Pharmacovigilance (QPPV) Pharmaceuticals Establishment and oversight of the PV system, evaluation of safety data, authority communication

 

While these roles often require additional practical experience in the industries before you can take them on in full, the MAS Regulatory Affairs provides you with the essential regulatory knowledge and qualifications to grow into these roles step by step.

Statement

Statement Christina Degen-Wendlinger

Christina Degen-Wendlinger
Senior Consultant, inmedis GmbH
 

“I am impressed how the students of the CAS Regulatory Affairs in Life Sciences combine the knowledge acquired in the seminars with practice in their case studies, resulting in well-founded new implementation solutions. In my opinion, this is what makes the MAS Regulatory Affairs stand out. The students are specifically prepared for the challenges of their working world.”

Training objective Details
Regulatory strategies
  • You learn about the regulatory strategies in Switzerland, in the EU and around the world.
  • You understand the relevant regulatory bodies and how they operate.
Implementing regulatory measures
  • You become familiar with the EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and the EU In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR).
  • You learn the structure and function of regulatory bodies.
  • You know the different regulatory pathways for obtaining marketing authorization.
  • You know what clinical evaluation is and how it is done.
  • You understand the principles and requirements of GxP guidelines in relation to quality assurance, compliance and regulatory standards in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.
  • You understand the market surveillance procedures to ensure the safety of pharmaceutical products and medical devices.
  • You know which product classes have special regulations.
Adhering to quality management
  • You understand the structure and requirements of the ICH Q10 pharmaceutical quality system.
  • You understand the structure and requirements of ISO 13485 quality management for medical devices.
  • You learn how to integrate risk management, usability engineering, reviews and design and process validation.
Solving trade-related issues
  • You know the key elements of (digital) supply chain management for medical devices and pharmaceutical products, including optimising logistics processes and ensuring product integrity from manufacturing to the end consumer.
  • You are aware of the risks and challenges associated with the counterfeiting of medical devices and pharmaceutical products.
Negotiation/communication with authorities
  • You understand the processes and best practices for interacting with the regulator, including the preparation and conduct of meetings between the applicant and the regulatory authorities.
Management strategies
  • You learn how to interact (speaking and writing) with a global audience, including manufacturers, authorities, and Notified Bodies.
  • You learn the language of statistics and what questions to ask the statistician when you need to write your regulatory documents.
  • You can analyse and evaluate how AI technology transforms regulatory processes, enhances data-driven decision making, and improve patient safety.

The Master of Advanced Studies in Regulatory Affairs is structured as follows:

Possible study paths

Your possible study paths: You can specialize in regulatory affairs in Pharma, in MedTech, or combine both
Your possible study paths: You can specialize in regulatory affairs in Pharma, in MedTech, or combine both

Description of the key modules

To achieve the learning objectives outlined and align with the competency frameworks of the two leading professional associations in regulatory affairs we have developed three specific regulatory affairs modules. These can be complemented by other modules from the TI continuing education portfolio, allowing the master’s program to be tailored to induvial professional Needs.

The regulatory affairs knowledge condensed into four CAS modules complemented by a practice-oriented master’s thesis
The regulatory affairs knowledge condensed into four CAS modules complemented by a practice-oriented master’s thesis

The regulatory affairs specific CAS modules

Two of the following modules must be completed to obtain the MAS in Regulatory Affairs:

The elective CAS modules

Depending on your individual learning path, you may complete one or two elective CAS modules. These electives can be freely chosen and should ideally align with your professional goals. Five examples of how you can complement your master’s Degree (CAS in German):

The wide range of modules for your studies available for download:
Master plan – continuing education programmes

Master’s thesis

The Master’s thesis allows you to deepen and apply the knowledge gained across the four CAS modules using a practical, research-based approach. It emphasizes the use of sound scientific methods at a university level. The thesis is typically completed during the final CAS (preparatory semester) and the subsequent implementation semester, corresponding to a total workload of 12 ECTS credits (approximately 360 hours).

Preparatory semester

During the last CAS, the topic is defined, and the proposal/disposition is developed.

Implementation semester

Independent work on the Master’s thesis with at least two reviews, followed by submission of the written report, and a final defence.

Topic

The Master’s thesis emphasizes the identification and application of relevant regulatory frameworks for the development, commercialisation, and lifecycle of complex medical devices (such as combination products) and novel or challenging pharmaceutical products.

  • Direct instruction
  • Self-study
  • Research project work
  • Master’s thesis

Title + Degree

Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Regulatory Affairs

Statement

Statement Lutz Stehling

Lutz Stehling
Senior Consultant, inmedis GmbH
 

“In the MAS Regulatory Affairs programme, students learn the industry-related tools required for the highly regulated areas of medical technology, pharma and in-vitro diagnostics in order to meet the growing challenges in these sectors. In my opinion, they are ideally equipped for this with BFH’s continuing education courses.”

Requirements + Admission

Find out which professionals this continuing education program is designed for and what requirements you need to bring with you.

Target audience

  • Professionals who are already working in the regulated environment in the pharma and medical technology industries and want to broaden their regulatory knowledge.
  • Individuals aiming to enter the field of regulatory affairs, seeking a solid academic foundation and practical orientation for their career start.
  • Regulatory affairs specialists who are already active in the field and wish to keep up to date with constantly evolving national and international regulations.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s/Master’s degree or PhD in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, engineering, law, computer science or another relevant scientific field.
  • Five years of professional experience in the life sciences environment or in a comparable regulated field.

As a rule, a university degree and practical experience are required for admission. 
People with a high vocational training can apply, provided they have suitable professional experience and prior scientific and methodological knowledge. 

Legal foundations – Bern University of Applied Sciences

Infoevent + Study Guidance

Do you have questions about the programme? The head degree of programme, CAS heads, and lecturers will answer your questions at our information events.

Contact

Fabienne Weiss

  • Studienleiterin MAS Regulatory Affairs
  • +41 31 848 32 15
  • Show e-mail

Prof. Michael Lehmann

  • Leiter Medizininformatik
  • +41 32 321 64 36
  • Show e-mail

Study Guidance for Continuing Education

Location

Please refer to the pages for the respective degree programmes (CAS, SAS) for information on how and where your continuing education will take place. We are located at Aarbergstrasse 46 in the Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne.

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (SIPBB)

A location with many advantages

  • Classrooms within two minutes walking distance from Biel/Bienne railway station
  • Ideal train connections from Bern’s main railway station (every 15 minutes) and from Bern Wankdorf (every 30 minutes)
  • State-of-the-art infrastructure in the new SIPBB building
  • Various catering options in the immediate vicinity
  • Innovation and networking events

And that’s not all! Biel/Bienne is…

  • an innovation hotspot,
  • a university city,
  • an industrial and service city with numerous major players in the watchmaking, mechanical engineering, precision engineering and medical technology industries and major representatives of the communications and telecommunications sectors,
  • bordered by Lake Biel and its wide range of sports and leisure facilities,
  • a city that embodies bilingualism,
  • a town with a vibrant cultural life.

Biel Aarbergstrasse 46 (Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne)

Biel, Aarbergstrasse 46

Bern University of Applied Sciences

Engineering and Computer Science
Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne
Aarbergstrasse 46
CH 2503 Biel

Bern University of Applied Sciences

Engineering and Computer Science
Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne
Aarbergstrasse 46
CH 2503 Biel