Institute for Risk & Insurance

The Institute of Risk & Insurance (IRI) is a leading competence centre for the insurance industry, offering education and continuing education programmes for various professional profiles as well as applied research in insurance management. Positioned at the interface between academia and practice, the Institute encourages innovative solutions and dialogue on current issues. 

Core Competencies

As a competent partner in research and consulting, we contribute to scientifically clarify, present challenges and exploration of issues in the insurance industry. The overarching goal is to always use these studies for the benefit of insurance customers or companies and to set the course for the sustainable development of the insurance industry.
The Institute for Risk & Insurance enjoys the support of the Swiss Insurance Association. In addition, we maintain an exchange with our permanent Advisory Board (PDF 81 kB). These are personalities from the insurance industry who volunteer and provide the opportunity for exchange and feedback. We value this interfacing function of board to sharpen our educational offerings and highlight at the same time where we generate added value for the market as a university of applied sciences.

Education & Continuing Education

Our education and continuing education programmes are tailored to the needs of the insurance industry. With us, you can immerse yourself in the risk business, advance your expertise, and strive for excellence in your field.

• Bachelor: Our Bachelor’s Degree Program in Business Administration with Specialization in Insurance Management is unique in Switzerland and provides a solid foundation for a career in the insurance industry.
  You can complete the programme on a full-time or part-time basis, allowing you to apply what you learn directly in professional insurance practice.

→ Factsheet for Occupational Pensions, Private Insurance, Health Insurance, Pension Provision, Reinsurance and Insurance Broking (PDF, 280 KB)

• Master: The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Insurance Management equips you with the competencies required to address complex and demanding challenges. Admission requires a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) as well as a Master’s degree. CAS modules can be selected individually, enabling you to tailor the programme to your professional needs and complete it alongside your career.
• CAS: Our CAS programmes are continuously developed in close cooperation with industry experts. They provide the skills needed to take on responsibility today and to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Available CAS programmes include:

CAS Strategie und Steuerung, CAS Vertriebsmanagement, CAS Recht, Regulierung und Risikomanagement, CAS Leadership & Transformation, CAS Claims Management, CAS Insurance Broking, CAS Datenkompetenz

• Expert in Occupational Pensions: We offer eight modules as preparation for the Advanced Professional Examination for Experts in Occupational Pensions. In addition, our continuing education courses allow you to deepen selected topics in a compact and focused format within just a few days, or to gain inspiration by attending one of our events and lectures.

Research & Consulting

As a competent research partner, we offer a wide range of opportunities to scientifically investigate and analyse new issues in the insurance industry.
Our primary objective is to apply these research activities for the benefit of insurance customers, insurers, and the sustainable development of the insurance sector.

Here you will find our current publications and projects.

Topic Pages

• Pension Provision
• Prevention – New Business Models in Insurance
• Sustainable Finance
• Risk Manager Insights
• Sales & Customer Insights
• Insurance and Trend Studies

Academic Writing in the Field of Risk & Insurance – including an AI Guide

Are you writing an academic paper in the field of Risk & Insurance? Common questions often arise regarding the definition of the research topic, the search for relevant literature, correct citation practices, the selection of appropriate methods, or the use of artificial intelligence.

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions.

FAQ: Academic Writing in the Field of Risk & Insurance (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Advisory Board of the Institute of Risk & Insurance

To ensure a strong practical orientation, we maintain regular exchange with our Advisory Board. With an external and critical perspective, the Board ensures that our programmes and activities are aligned with the current needs of the insurance market.

The Advisory Board is composed of senior professionals from the insurance industry who contribute their expertise on a voluntary basis and provide valuable feedback as well as opportunities for dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Top row (from left to right):Nathalie Meyer, Country President, Chubb, Sandro Mannino, Head of Customer & Market, Helsana, Andreas Fischer, Head of Customer Advisory Business Unit, Swiss Life, Patric Deflorin, Head of Distribution, AXA
Bottom row (from left to right): Sandra Kurmann, Head of Framework Conditions, SIA, Joerg Bertogg, Global COO Commercial Insurance, Zurich Insurance
Mathias Zingg, Head of Sales and Marketing, Baloise, Monika Behr, Head of Life Division, Allianz Suisse, Reto Dahinden, CEO, SWICA

Events