Betriebswirtschafter / Betriebswirtschafter HF: Field report by Stefan Blunier, course director and head of continuing and executive education

Portrait-Foto Stefan Blunier
Stefan Blunier

Please tell us about your background.

My name is Stefan Blunier and I am head of further education and management training at the KV Basel business school. In addition, I have been responsible for the course of study for business economists HF for 7 years. As a qualified economist with a flair for figures, I have been sharing my knowledge as a lecturer in in-service training for almost 30 years. In an interview with the education platform Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch, I give exclusive first-hand answers to the most burning questions about studying at the College of Business Administration.

Who is the Diploma in Business Administration course suitable for and what requirements do they need to fulfill to attend the course?

The Business Administration HF course is ideal for all ambitious graduates of a basic commercial training program who wish to continue their education in business administration while working. It is also suitable for career changers with a high level of practical experience in the commercial sector. To be admitted to the course, you need a commercial EFZ in the E-profile and two years of professional experience. If you have an EFZ from another field, you should be able to demonstrate three years of professional experience in the commercial sector.

What career prospects do graduates have after completing the HF Business Administration course?

Certified business economists HF are business all-rounders. As generalists, they can be deployed flexibly in a wide range of industries and professional fields. Typical areas of activity and functions are, for example, team and project managers or customer advisors in middle management in large companies. In SMEs, the degree qualifies them for overall responsibility.

Gebäude Handelsschule KV Basel

What do students learn in the Business Administration degree program?

In the business administration course you will learn:

  • Business management thinking and interrelationships
  • Implementation of business management concepts in everyday practice
  • Business planning

Soft skills and leadership skills are also an essential part of the Business Administration degree program.

How much does the business administration course cost?

The business administration course costs CHF 14,100, spread over three years of study. In addition, the HF business administration course costs around CHF 4,500 for examinations, language diploma, diploma thesis and seminars. This amount for the business administration course is tax deductible.

What makes Basel a particularly interesting training location for HF business administration students?

In Basel, there is regularly a broad mix of industries among the participants in the HF Business Administration course. This also has a positive effect on your own professional network. At the KV Basel business school, we offer both a daytime and an evening model for the business administration course in order to take the individual needs of students into account. The qualification procedure (examinations) takes place on a modular basis at the end of each academic year.

What are the transport connections to the KV Basel business school?

You will find the KV Basel business school in the heart of Basel, a good five-minute walk from the train station. Thanks to excellent public transport connections, there is no need to search for a parking space and you can leave your car at home. This means you can catch up on some work or reading on your way to or from the Business Administration HF course.

Treppenhaus Handelsschule KV Basel

What are the advantages for graduates of the Business Administration HF course at the HKVBS?

HKVBS places a clear emphasis on practical orientation in the Business Administration HF course, which is also reflected in the lecturers - most of whom are active in leading positions in their respective specialist areas. So-called transfer assignments as examinations bring direct benefits for the students' everyday working life. Here, students have to put what they have learned in theory into practice, often in their own company environment. In order to prepare students for the Business Administration course, an optional pre-study course in accounting is offered. Business administration trainees from the banking sector have the opportunity to add an additional course in Banking & Finance in seminar form during the course.

What is the difference between studying business administration at a university of applied sciences and at a university of applied sciences or university?

Admission to a business administration course at a university of applied sciences (HF) is possible with a commercial degree; no general or vocational baccalaureate is required. The practical benefits of the HF business administration course are far more important than a more academic course at a university of applied sciences or university. The HF diploma allows you to transfer to a university of applied sciences for a shortened course of study after completing the business administration course.

For whom is a university of applied sciences particularly recommended and who might be better off at a university of applied sciences or university?

If you are very well positioned in a company and would like to further your own professional experience and at the same time train as a business economist HF, this dual path at the university of applied sciences is a good choice. The same applies to those who are more practice-oriented and less scientific/mathematical. In addition, the HF can also be a good first step as a postgraduate course if you are not yet confident enough to make the direct leap to a university of applied sciences or university.

Overview of HF Business Administration schools