OpenFieldFHNW Swiss Cantonal Engineering and Life Sciences Merit Scholarship
Cantonal merit scholarship supporting exceptional Swiss and international students pursuing master's degrees in engineering, mechatronics, and biotechnology at FHNW campuses.
FHNW Switzerland: Engineering, Architecture & Applied Sciences Faculty Guide
Established by state treaty between the Swiss cantons of Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, and Solothurn, FHNW (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz) is one of Switzerland's premier public universities of applied sciences. Comprising nine distinguished schools across modern campuses in Windisch/Brugg, Basel, Muttenz, and Olten, FHNW educates over 13,000 students in Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Life Sciences, Business, and Applied Psychology, conducting extensive Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Innosuisse research.
Verified degree programs and opportunities
Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:
Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) - Computer Science and Data Science
Two-year, 90-ECTS national Swiss master's program providing advanced technical specialization in distributed cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and embedded algorithms.
Cooperative Doctoral Research Position (Ph.D.) in Precision Mechatronics and Optics
Three-to-four-year salaried cooperative doctoral research appointment jointly supervised with ETH Zurich, conducting experimental research on micro-optics, piezo-actuators, and precision laser machining.
Innosuisse Bioprocess Engineering and Targeted Drug Delivery Investigation
Applied pharmaceutical engineering research project developing continuous biomanufacturing processes and targeted lipid nanoparticle formulations for therapeutic mRNA delivery.
Swiss Precision Industry and Medical Device Engineering Curricular Practicum
Six-month engineering work practicum embedding students within leading Swiss biomedical, robotics, and industrial instrumentation enterprises in Basel and Aargau.
FHNW Institute for 4D Technologies Applied Artificial Intelligence Fellowship
Applied technology fellowship supporting talented computer scientists developing computer vision algorithms, real-time 3D spatial reconstruction, and digital twin models at Campus Brugg-Windisch.
Professor of Autonomous Robotics and Mechatronic Systems
Tenured professorship leading the Robotics Laboratory at FHNW School of Engineering in Windisch, lecturing in the Master of Science in Engineering (MSE), and directing industry-funded research.
Admissions, language requirements & application process
- Master's admission eligibility
- Accredited Bachelor of Science degree (minimum 180 ECTS credits) in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, or Business from a recognized Swiss or international university with above-average grades.
- Doctoral admission eligibility
- Master of Science graduates participate in cooperative doctoral research programs (Cooperative Ph.D.) jointly supervised with Swiss federal institutes (ETH Zurich, EPFL) and European research universities.
- Language proficiency
- German language proficiency at CEFR B2/C1 level for bilingual undergraduate degrees; English proficiency (minimum IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90) for international Master of Science and research degrees.
- Research statement / Proposal
- Application submitted via the FHNW portal including academic transcripts, curriculum vitae, and documentation of prerequisite technical qualifications.
- Application fee
- CHF 100 non-refundable application evaluation fee.
- Required documentation
- Bachelor's/Master's diploma copies, certified academic transcripts with grading scales, resume/CV, English/German language certificates, and passport copy.
Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems
Tuition fees at the public cantonal FHNW are heavily subsidized under Swiss intercantonal education treaties, amounting to CHF 700 per semester for Swiss domestic students and CHF 1,000 to CHF 1,250 per semester for non-resident international students (approx. CHF 2,000 to CHF 2,500 per academic year). Employed scientific research assistants receive standard Swiss cantonal salaries ranging from CHF 52,000 to CHF 68,000 per annum with zero tuition fees.
Verified faculty profiles and research leaders
Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland:
Prof. Dr. Jürg Christener
Director of School of Engineering & Professor of Applied Computer Science · Engineering Education Strategy, Industrial Automation, Swiss Innovation Ecosystem, Applied Mechatronics
Prof. Dr. Erik Schkommodau
Head of Institute for Medical and Analytical Technologies · Biomedical Engineering, Surgical Robotics, Medical Implants, Orthopedic Biomechanics
Prof. Dr. Christoph Ladik
Professor of Microelectronics and Sensor Systems · Sensor Design, Micro-Optics, Signal Processing, Embedded Hardware Architecture
Important verification note
Facts reflect official FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue