What does the everyday working life of a computer scientist HF with a HF diploma look like?

IT technicians (new title since fall 2022: computer scientist HF) are responsible for the operation of a company's or business unit's IT systems. During ongoing operations, they support users in the event of problems, look after the devices and provide quick solutions in the event of faults in the technical systems. The continuous development of hardware and software requires ongoing adjustments to IT systems.

This may include the procurement and installation of new devices, the reprogramming of applications or the evaluation and introduction of new software solutions. Computer scientists HF manage IT projects from initialization and planning through implementation and commissioning to quality assurance and user training. They are also often responsible for data security and the availability and maintenance of systems.

(Note: The distribution of tasks (weighting and frequency) can vary greatly depending on the task profile/job profile and type of company).

Target group and skills: Who is the HF Computer Science program for HF Computer Scientists suitable for?

Studying at a PET college to become a computer scientist HF (formerly technician HF computer science) is suitable for

• Professionals from the fields of IT, automation, telematics and related areas who are looking for a professional career and would like to take on responsible (management) tasks in the future with an HF diploma
• Professionals with basic vocational training (EFZ) in the technical/IT field who would like to expand their skills and knowledge and thus increase their salary opportunities
• Professionals with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) and relevant professional experience in the technical/IT field who see their vocation in IT and would like to acquire generalist knowledge in this area.

Computer Scientists HF should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Technical understanding
• Sense of responsibility
• Networked thinking and action
• Independent and reliable way of working
• analytical and conceptual skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Planning skills
• Leadership and organizational talent
• Customer and service orientation

Requirements for admission to the HF Computer Science degree program:

Each university of applied sciences decides independently on the admission procedure for the HF Computer Science program. They regulate this in their study regulations, taking into account the relevant legal basis. There may therefore be differences between the universities of applied sciences (HF).*

In order to be able to start a HF Computer Science degree course to become a HF Computer Scientist (formerly HF Computer Science Technician) at a university of applied sciences (HF), you must generally meet the following admission requirements.

• Completion of relevant basic vocational training with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) **

Or

• Completion of a three-year basic vocational training (EFZ) in another field and relevant professional experience (usually at least 1 year) in the technical/IT field

Or

• Completion of a high school diploma or technical secondary school as well as relevant professional experience (usually at least 1 year) in the technical/computer science field

Further conditions:

• In the case of a part-time HF Computer Science course, at least 50% employment in the technical/trade sector.
• In the case of full-time HF IT studies, internships of at least 720 learning hours (with a relevant EFZ) or at least 1800 learning hours (without a relevant EFZ).
• In addition, depending on the school, an entrance examination and/or attendance of a preliminary course, for example in mathematics, may be required.

Note: In some cases, it is possible to have educational achievements already completed credited. Please contact the provider of your choice directly.

* The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula developed jointly by education providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). If the PET colleges adhere to existing framework curricula in the detailed design of their courses, their PET courses are federally recognized and lead to a protected title.

** A list of the relevant EFZs can be found in theFramework curriculumfor computer scientists HF.

Subject matter and content of the training

The course content of the HF Computer Science program for Computer Scientists HF (formerly Technician HF Computer Science) is basically based on the framework curriculum "Computer Science HF". The sponsors are as follows: Swissmem, ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz (organization of the world of work) and the Konferenz der höheren Fachschulen Technik KHF-T (representation of the training providers). They are responsible for creating the framework curriculum and periodically reviewing it to ensure it is up to date and of high quality.

Nevertheless, the universities of applied sciences have a certain amount of leeway in the design of their study programs for future computer scientists. Which course content is ultimately covered and how it is structured can therefore vary from college to college. The universities of applied sciences can also offer specializations, for example.*

As a rule, the following topics are dealt with at a higher technical college of computer science:

• Computer science
• Communication, Marketing
• Project management
• Personnel management
• Management, Leadership
• Business Administration (BWL)
• Finance and accounting
• Law
• Mathematics
• Physics
• English
• Programming
• IT systems, IT quality management, IT security and risk management
• IT architecture
• DevOps
• Databases, data analysis
• Agile project methodologies (e.g. Scrum and Kanban)
• Cyber Security

*A maximum of 10% of the total learning hours may be used for specializations. The protected title of "Graduate Computer Scientist HF" remains unchanged.

Costs and financing of further training

The costs vary depending on the provider, training location and training model. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 6-semester computer science HF course:

• Tuition feesThe semester fee depends on the school and your canton of residence. You can expect to pay between CHF 15,600 and CHF 22,300 for students resident in the canton of training*. The costs for the examinations and diploma thesis are usually included in the course fees.
• Additional costsSome providers charge extra costs for the registration fee and student card, preliminary courses (optional), teaching materials, special software, licenses, learning studios, internships, training documents, exams/diploma papers and exam retakes. Find out about the additional costs directly from the HF of your choice.
• Acquisition of additional qualificationsFor additional qualifications such as an internationally recognized English certificate, you must expect extra costs for preparation and external examination.

* Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported by the cantons. Students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees. The following conditions apply in order to receive cantonal funding:

• at least two years of residence in the canton
• The course is listed on the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) list of eligible courses (you will find the link to the list in the answer texts).

Duration of study, number of teaching hours, training model, teaching format and learning effort

• Duration of study:The HF Computer Science course to become a qualified computer scientist HF (formerly HF IT technician) has a modular structure and lasts 6 semesters part-time and 4 semesters full-time (part-time)
• Number of lessonsThe course comprises 3600 learning hours with a relevant EFZ. For courses without a relevant EFZ, the number of learning hours generally increases to 5400 learning hours; please contact the school of your choice. The professional activity (practice in a relevant occupation) during the part-time Computer Science HF course is credited with a maximum of 720 hours (with a relevant EFZ) or a maximum of 1800 hours (without a relevant EFZ) towards the training period. The practical training (internships in a practice-oriented or real field of work accompanied by specialists) in full-time studies amounts to at least 720 hours (with relevant EFZ) or at least 1800 hours (without relevant EFZ). Learning hours also include contact studies (with qualified supervision), guided self-study, individual self-study and qualification procedures (e.g. semester examinations, intermediate examinations, diploma examinations, diploma theses or assessed semester theses). How these learning hours are divided up in terms of time is defined in the framework curriculum.
• Training modelsThe course is offered part-time and full-time. Classes take place two evenings a week, for example, or on a full weekday or on Saturdays. This can vary from HF to HF.
• Teaching formatMany schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning).
• Learning effort: You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week for the part-time model.

Tip: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons"/"trial lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. Take the opportunity and contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title

The degree course in Computer Science HF (formerly Technician HF Computer Science) generally concludes with a practice-oriented diploma thesis and oral or written examinations. The details of the implementation are regulated by the respective HF in its study regulations. The final qualification procedure is often as follows:

1. The results of the previous semester examinations and/or assessed semester papers
2. Diploma thesis: The diploma thesis is practice-oriented; candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and networked thinking. The thesis is written individually on a topic relevant to computer science. It is written at the end of the course (can also be integrated into the 5th or 6th semester). Here too, the time frame is determined by the respective HF in its study regulations.
3. The thesis will also be presented to a group of experts (expert panel) and then defended in a discussion.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the course receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Dipl. Informatiker HF / dipl. Informatikerin HF".

In French: "Informaticienne diplômée ES / Informaticien diplômé ES"

In Italian: "Informatica dipl. SSS / Informatico dipl. SSS"

In English (recommendation, but not a protected title): "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Information Technology"