Bachelor’s Degree Program in Business Administration with a Specialization in
Politics and Management

"I chose the Politics and Management specialisation because I am fascinated by complex national and international contexts at the interface of politics, public administration and business. The Bachelor’s Degree Program enabled me to broaden and deepen my knowledge in these subject areas and to develop my networked and critical thinking in order to better understand the complex interrelationships."
Mirjam Schwarz, graduate, BSc in Business Administration with a Specialization in Politics and Management
Get the best possible start to a career at the intersection of business and society. With a specialization in Politics and Management, you acquire sound, practice-oriented business knowledge to deal with important current issues of financial, social, public health, and environmental policy.
At a Glance
Title: Bachelor of Science (BSc) ZHAW in Business Administration with a Specialization in Politics and Management
Academic Achievement: 180 ECTS credits (one ECTS corresponds to approx. 30 hours of study time)
Duration: 6 semesters (full-time), 8 semesters (part-time)
Start of Program: Mid-September (calendar week 38)
Location: Winterthur
Language of Instruction: German; some modules are taught in English
Semester Fee: CHF 720.- (subject to change)
Application Deadline: 30 April 2024 - apply now
What You Will Learn
Megatrends such as digitalization, mobility, health, demographic change, and sustainability/ecologization pose major challenges for the public sector. Private companies, on the other hand, are increasingly impeded by the regulatory state in their business development. This situation calls for problem solvers who can apply their business know-how effectively, are familiar with the special features of the interaction between business and politics, and are able to take them into account. Our specialization in Politics and Management can help you become such a problem solver.
Your Career Prospects
Graduates of this specialization qualify for exciting, challenging jobs in all areas of public administration, in public enterprises (e.g., the Swiss Railways), private companies (especially in the health, energy, and transport sectors), and national or international non-governmental and nonprofit organizations (NGOs and NPOs). After a successful career start, management responsibility (e.g., as a team leader) may very soon be offered to you.
Functions
- Specialist positions
- Project management and project assistance
- Staff positions
- Team leadership roles
- Management support
Sectors
- Private enterprises
- Public administration
- Public enterprises
- Nonprofit organizations
- Nongovernmental organizations (NGO)
- Consulting
- Service

"We did great group assignments which taught me to structure complex problems and quickly gain an overview of the knowledge available. I also learned how to work in teams to develop appropriate, informed solutions and present them to a target audience. I still benefit from this every day."
Lisa Ruch
Project Manager, Canton of St. Gallen Finance Department

"By opting for a specialization in Politics and Management, I was able to learn about the special characteristics of public sector work as well as gain a classic business management understanding of companies. This has helped me to understand the specific requirements of both areas. I can contribute to a diverse and dynamic corporate environment and actively support corporate development at the intersection of business and the public sector."
Fabio Zappa
Corporate Organization Specialist, Corporate Development, Appenzeller Bahnen AG
Program Structure and Admission Requirements
Multilingual and Flexible
As a full-time student, the program takes six semesters, as a part-time student eight semesters to complete. While classroom instruction is in German, you will have four semesters of English, bringing you up to Cambridge Advanced level. Four compulsory elective modules will enable you to deepen your knowledge of specific key focus areas.
By choosing four electives from a very wide, continuously updated, range of topics, you will be able to focus on your priorities. Of particular interest to students with a specialization in Politics and Management are modules in the following areas:
- Politics
- Economics
- Administration law (e.g., public enterprise law, public personnel law, or spatial planning & construction law),
- Cultural management
- Public health
- Renewable energy
What You Need to Qualify
- A federally recognized vocational baccalaureate: no entrance exam or additional professional experience required
- A non-commercial vocational baccalaureate: no entrance exam required; at least one year of regular work experience in the commercial field
- A federally recognized academic baccalaureate: no entrance exam required; at least one year of regular work experience in the commercial field

Are you interested in our Bachelor’s program in Business Administration and still have questions? Here you will find the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Accreditation

In 2019, this program was awarded the PREMIUM seal by the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) for its excellent quality in study and teaching.
The detailed assessment and further information about the accreditations of the ZHAW School of Management and Law can be found here.
This might also interest you
Bachelor's Programs Information Events
Come to one of our information events and find out more about our Bachelor's programs. We look forward to meeting you!
Career Services
Career Services supports the successful transition from study to work as well as your personal career development.
Bachelor's Programs Registration
Bachelor's Programs Information Events
Career Services
Start your career with a Bachelor's degree!
Come to one of our information events and find out more about our Bachelor's programs. We look forward to meeting you!
Career Services supports the successful transition from study to work as well as your personal career development.