Self-test: Is the Mechatronics Bachelor FH the right course for me?
Mechatronics engineer FH: Job profile and personal requirements
What does the day-to-day work of mechatronics engineers look like?
Mechatronics engineers manage development projects, for example in the fields of electromobility, medical technology, industrial automation or in the production of industrial process controls. Mechatronics engineers master the methods of systems engineering in order to develop and implement complex technical systems in large projects. This involves breaking down and specifying the customer's requirements into individual systems, subsystems, devices and software. And all aspects of the order such as costs, schedule, testing, production and support of all sub-projects are included in the planning and monitored. The mechatronics engineer's own practical tasks include defining manufacturing processes or product specifications, optimizing them according to business aspects and creating process instructions and product documentation. By communicating and coordinating, they ensure that new products and systems can be manufactured using existing production equipment.
Job descriptions in job advertisements for mechatronics engineers:
| Main tasks | Frequency in % |
|---|---|
| Support and management of customer projects, coordination and support of all parties involved, responsibility for costs, deadlines and quality, support acquisition of new customers | 40 |
| Creating functional specifications and feasibility studies, supporting developers, coordinating specialist departments, developing software applications | 30 |
| Supporting production and assembly, commissioning and services at the customer's premises, managing tests and qualifications, quality assurance | 15 |
| Creating and maintaining process instructions and product documentation, managing change projects, training operators, customer service and the sales department | 15 |
Depending on the position and activity, other task allocations are possible.
Frequent requirements in job advertisements:
- Completed basic technical training
- Engineer FH or ETH in the field of mechatronics, mechanical engineering, systems engineering or process engineering
- Proven project management skills
- Strong analytical, process-oriented and networked thinking skills
- CAD and good programming skills (C++, Matlab, LabView)
- Strong negotiating skills, implementation skills, decisiveness
- Ability to develop a joint solution for difficult interdisciplinary projects
- Business fluent in written and spoken German and English
- Willingness to travel internationally
Question 1:
Do the activities of mechatronics engineers and the personal requirements meet my expectations?
Yes, if you like the actual job, the industry basically suits you. Then the next question is whether this degree course is just right for you.
If you only dislike certain aspects of the job description, you could check the job advertisements to see if there are any jobs in which these aspects are not very common.
If you do not like the main activities in the description, you may want to consider other degree programs. You will find possible alternatives in the answer to question 2.
Course description "Mechatronics Bachelor FH"
The most important key points of the Bachelor's degree program in Mechatronics are described here:
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Question 2:
Are you generally interested in this course?
If you have already answered "yes" to question 1, then this degree program seems to fit your expectations.
If you would like to study, but the job description in question 1 does not suit you, or only partially, you should try to find out whether there are other jobs with this training that would suit you better. Or find out about a subsequent Master's degree course. And see whether the career opportunities following this would suit you.
If you actually like the job description in question 1, but not the mechatronics course, you can take a look at the following further training options to see if you can find something that better suits your interests:
- Building Technology Bachelor FH
If neither the job description nor the degree course appeal to you, you should find out about other further training or study options.
Requirements for admission to the Bachelor's degree program:
Admission to the Bachelor's degree program is required:
- Completed basic technical training with a technical vocational baccalaureate or
- Other vocational baccalaureate and professional experience in a technical company or
- High school diploma and 1 year of professional experience (internship) in a technical company or
- Basic training with EFZ in a field related to the field of study, professional experience after completing the apprenticeship and passing the admission procedure (e.g. entrance examination with preparatory course)
Question 3:
Do I meet the requirements?
Answer note Yes If you meet the requirements, you can register for the course at the next possible date.
Don't have a technical vocational baccalaureate?
- If you have completed an apprenticeship without a vocational baccalaureate, you can either complete a one-year vocational baccalaureate course or be admitted via an admission course or entrance examination.
- Information about the vocational baccalaureate for adults, including addresses of providers and a free self-test, can be found athere.
- If a technical vocational baccalaureate is not possible with your profession, ask the university of applied sciences about the possibility of a preliminary course or admission studies. This may allow you to catch up on the math and technical subjects you have not studied. You can find addresses of universities of applied sciences here: {#courseLink#}
You do not have a Swiss apprenticeship qualification?
- If you do not have a Swiss school-leaving or apprenticeship qualification, but do have a comparable foreign diploma, it is best to enquire directly with the head of the degree program at the university of applied sciences about your options. You can find the contact details here: {#courseLink#}
Financing your studies and living expenses
The semester fees for the Bachelor's degree course in Mechatronics are approximately CHF 700. An additional CHF 300 per semester is required for teaching materials and other expenses.
Question 4:
Are you able to finance approximately CHF 1,000 per semester plus accommodation and living expenses?
If you have marked "Yes", this seems to be a good time for you to study for a Bachelor's degree.
Have you already checked whether you are eligible for a scholarship and how much you would receive? If not, you can find informationhere.
And if none of this is possible, check your options for studying part-time. With a part-time job, you can continue to finance your living expenses during your studies. The degree course will take longer, but this may still be the better option because you won't have to cope with a complete loss of earnings.
Time and effort for classroom teaching and own learning achievements
The course lasts three years full-time or four years part-time. The time required for classroom teaching, project and group work is 35 to 65 hours per week (the time required depends, among other things, on how much group and project work is completed during the semester or in the semester break).
In the part-time course, the attendance time is approx. 14 lessons per week, spread over two to three weekdays. And in the final semester, the Bachelor's thesis is scheduled for approx. 250 to 300 working hours.
Question 5:
Will I be able to cope with the time and effort required for classroom teaching and project work?
If it seems even very easy for you, you could look into degree programs that can be completed in two majors at the same time.
If you are short of time, look for courses that can be completed alongside your job and extend over a longer period of time. And if that's still not enough, you should check whether you can create more freedom for yourself in another way. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the limited period of your training?
Conclusion
Can I manage this course and graduate?
Mechatronics is one of the engineering courses that require a high level of mathematics, physics and systematic thinking. If you have a solid educational background, such as a technical vocational baccalaureate or a baccalaureate in the natural sciences, you should be able to complete the course with the appropriate commitment.
The course comprises six semesters, each lasting 14 weeks. Teaching mainly takes the form of lectures, group lessons, exercises and project work. The course is divided into modules that form a self-contained learning unit lasting one semester and a grade is awarded for each module.
After the first year of study, students receive clear feedback on their level of education in the form of an assessment. Passing this assessment is a prerequisite for admission to the main study program.
The course concludes with a Bachelor's thesis.
Question 6:
Am I confident that I can pass the course, the assessment exams and the Bachelor's thesis?
If you are confident that you can pass this qualification, the most you can do is consider whether you would like to achieve even better results using suitable learning and working methods or whether you would like to achieve the same results with less effort.
If you are unsure because you come from a completely different background or have not been entirely successful with math and science subjects so far, find out about the possibilities of a preliminary math course.
If you cannot imagine working in groups or find it difficult to write term papers and project work, it may help you to know that many others feel the same way. You will receive guidance and support during your studies. And if you still feel very unsure, attend an information event or a visit day at the school. This will give you an impression and you can address your questions directly to the head of degree program.
If you have intense exam anxiety, you could look for another course of study that can be spread over a longer period of time in a part-time model.
Receive course or training documents from suitable schools immediately
Under {#CourseLink#} you will find an overview of schools that offer Bachelor's degree programs in mechatronics. You can request detailed documents with just one click and usually receive them directly by e-mail. You can also use the area search to find providers in your immediate vicinity.
Conclusion:
Before you apply for a Bachelor's degree in mechatronics, you should be convinced that you really enjoy working in engineering and in a complex interdisciplinary environment. You should also be enthusiastic about the content of the course. If you are unsure about these questions, you should consider which other degree courses are also an option for you. You have received several suggestions in the individual evaluations of your answers.
If you do not meet the admission requirements because you have an apprenticeship qualification without a vocational baccalaureate, it is best to find out about your options from one of the providers of vocational baccalaureate courses. You can find some schools at www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch under Vocational Baccalaureate. And if a technical vocational baccalaureate is not possible with your profession, find out about the possibility of an admission course at a university of applied sciences. This may allow you to catch up on the math and technical subjects you have missed.
Financing a degree course is not always easy. Several thousand francs have to be raised over 3-4 years to cover living expenses, tuition fees and possibly accommodation at the place of study. If your private financing options are not sufficient and you are unable to obtain a scholarship, you can also try to obtain educational grants from a foundation. If this is not enough to finance your further education alone, it is sometimes possible to obtain a loan from a private source. Some banks and credit institutions also offer educational loans. A good argument for financing further education is the relatively quick amortization of costs through wage increases. Do the following calculation: How much would a wage increase of 10% per year amount to? How many years would you need to recoup the costs of the course? How much more will you earn over your entire working life as a result of this pay rise? In most cases, this is a six-figure sum, which confirms that training or further education is the best personal investment there is.
Another option would be to choose a part-time version of the course. This allows you to continue working for a living while studying.
The time required to study at a university of applied sciences should not be underestimated. Going out, vacations and spontaneous wellness weekends often fall by the wayside. However, this time usually passes relatively quickly. The prospect of better job opportunities and a higher salary should be motivation enough to get through this time. It often helps to organize yourself into study groups. It also makes sense to stick with it right from the start and schedule fixed study times. Good learning effects can be achieved by creating summaries and mind maps. Flashcard systems help with memorization. There are many tools and ideas to make learning easier. You can obtain the guide "The personal learning strategy" free of charge if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you have doubts about whether you will pass the final exam, you can expect that every school has an interest in ensuring that as many of your students as possible pass the final exams. Talk to your head teacher or course leader and ask about support options. But with good motivation, perseverance and hard work, it is generally possible to pass these exams. If you suffer from exam anxiety, good preparation, various practical tips, therapeutic treatments or, in severe cases, even medication can help. You can obtain the guide "Overcoming exam anxiety" if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch. Here you will also findsuitable providerson the subject of test anxiety.
The benefits of further training are usually measured in terms of a higher salary, more challenging tasks or promotions. This presupposes that you make an effort to change your professional position accordingly and, if necessary, are able to assert your demands. If you have already experienced that this is not always so easy for you, you could also check whether personal job coaching could be of benefit to you in addition to further training.
Now it's up to you to decide. If in doubt, seek personal advice from a school or external advice center. If you order course materials from a school via www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch, you will receive a free educational or school consultation worth CHF 150.00 on request.
You can find a list of providers here: {#courseLink#}
We wish you all the best in your professional and private lives and a bright and exciting future!
The team of Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin