Self-test: Is the "Traffic Engineering degree (FH)" the right course for me?
Do you want to become a traffic engineer FH? Would you like to be on the safe side and make sure that the Traffic Engineering degree program really suits you?
Then take the test now! In our free and non-binding self-test, you can find out whether a job as a traffic engineer matches your interests and whether you are on the right track with a degree in traffic systems.
What does the everyday working life of traffic engineers FH look like?
UAS traffic engineers design our current and future transportation systems. They develop concepts to ensure that all public and private transportation on rail and road, and in some cases even on water and in the air, can continue to function safely and efficiently. The aim is to ensure that existing transport capacities are used optimally, that people and goods can be transported safely and cost-effectively, and that all road users reach their destinations on time.
TheFocus on traffic managementis a preparation for activities in logistics or in trading companies or in the management of transport companies. With the design of logistics processes or in supply chain management, the interaction between producers, retailers, transporters etc. is optimized and adapted to the existing infrastructure in the best possible way. Management tasks in transport companies can include, for example, the development of new timetables or the design of online information and booking systems.
TheFocus on engineeringprepares you for activities in project management, technical development or technical maintenance. The planning of a new marshalling yard, the introduction of an online information system in public transport or the optimization of the maintenance concept in a large transport company could be typical areas of responsibility.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a traffic engineer FH?
Great! 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.
By the way: If you are looking for further suitable training opportunities after successfully completing your degree in traffic engineering, take a look at theEducational counseling offerfrom Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Based on your answers in the questionnaire, our educational advisors will make suitable suggestions for courses, seminars or training programs and provide a helpful overview of the various educational levels. They are also on hand to answer any questions you may have about the Swiss education system.
If you only like the job to a limited extent or only individual parts of it, you could think about what interests you the most. And then look at the following courses to see if you can find something that better suits your interests:
If you like the engineering training better than the logistics and management part:
- Electrical Engineering Bachelor FH
- Computer Science Bachelor FH
- Mechanical Engineering Bachelor FH
- Mechatronics Bachelor FH
- Spatial Planning Bachelor FH
If you like the connection to logistics better than engineering:
- Transportation and Logistics Dispatcher (BP)
- Logistics specialist (BP)
- Logistics Manager (HFP)
- Supply Chain Manager (HFP)
Or if you are mainly interested in the management part:
- Public Transport Manager (HFP)
- Business Administration Bachelor FH
- Tourism Management Bachelor FH
Another option: take a look at relevant job advertisements. You may find that they only ask you to do the tasks that suit you better, in which case you are in the right place with this further training. Remember: In practically every job, there are activities that are less interesting. It is important to make sure that these do not predominate.
If individual aspects of the job description do not appeal to you, find out more about the possible areas of specialization. Perhaps you can concentrate on the areas that appeal to you.
If you don't like the activities in the description, you might want to look into other degree programs. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Why don't you also take a look at ourGuide "Finding your own calling"and be inspired by valuable information and tips.
Target group and skills: Who is suitable for studying transportation engineering at a university of applied sciences? What qualities and skills are required?
The degree program in Transport Systems at a university of applied sciences is aimed at people who are enthusiastic about transport issues, logistics, engineering and management and want to create a good foundation with promising career opportunities with a Bachelor's degree.
Prospective traffic engineers FH should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Technical understanding and analytical skills
- Precise and independent way of working
- Interest in transportation and logistics issues
- Resilient and decisive personality
- Organizational, communication and teamwork skills
- Very good knowledge of German and English
Question 2:
Do you belong to the target group of this Bachelor's degree program in Transport Systems and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great! In the next step, find out whether you meet the admission requirements to start studying traffic engineering.
- If you do not belong to the target group, you cannot pursue the Bachelor's degree in Transportation Systems directly. In this case, take a look at ourGuide to various topicson. For example theGuide "Training and further education in the areas of road, rail and air transport". You may find training and further education courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- Or take a look at further training opportunities and degree courses in related fields. You may find something that better suits your interests:
- If you like the engineering training better than the logistics and management part:
- If you like the connection to logistics better than engineering:
- Transportation and Logistics Dispatcher (BP)
- Logistics specialist (BP)
- Logistics Manager (HFP)
- Supply Chain Manager (HFP)
- Or if you are mainly interested in the management part:
- Public Transport Manager (HFP)
- Business Administration Bachelor FH
- Tourism Management Bachelor FH
- If you do not have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you will not be happy in the role of traffic engineer FH. Look out for other further training courses that are better suited to your personal qualities and skills. You can find numerous courses and suitable providers on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to this profession, it is best to talk to experienced people such as career advisors. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to study traffic engineering at a university of applied sciences:
The following requirements are normally specified for admission* to the Transportation Systems course:
- Federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) and vocational baccalaureate in a field related to the field of study.
Or
- Other vocational baccalaureate, gymnasiale Matura, specialized baccalaureate and relevant one-year internship/work experience
Or
- Degree from a higher technical college (HF) in the same or a related subject area
Or
- High school diploma and internship contract with a company in the transport sector (for practice-integrated studies)
Note:
- Some universities of applied sciences offer preliminary courses (e.g. mathematics or English)
*Good to know: The respective universities of applied sciences decide independently on the admission procedure for the Bachelor in Transport Engineering. They can largely design their courses themselves. Institutional accreditation in accordance with the Higher Education Funding and Coordination Act (HFKG) (Chapter 5.) of the federal government is a prerequisite for the designation right "university of applied sciences" or "university" and "university of teacher education", the granting of federal contributions and program accreditation.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great! Then you can apply for the Traffic Engineering course at the earliest possible date.
- If you do not have a qualification at upper secondary level, there are still ways: even as an adult, it is possible to obtain the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) or a general qualification at upper secondary level. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance"
- If you have a federally recognized apprenticeship qualification without a vocational baccalaureate, you can catch up on the vocational baccalaureate. Many of the cantonal vocational baccalaureate schools offer special BM2 courses for qualified professionals, which last approx. 4 semesters (part-time) or 2 semesters (full-time).Hereyou will find an overview of the cantonal websites. You also have the opportunity to take the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate examination after individual preparation. You can find more informationhere.
Please also take a look at our self-tests:- You catch up on the vocational baccalaureate:Vocational baccalaureate self-test
- You catch up on the gymnasiale Matura:Matura schools for adults Self-test
- If you have a foreign degree and are not sure whether it will be recognized for admission, please contact the university of applied sciences directly.
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as work experience for the Traffic Engineer FH degree course, clarify your chances directly with the university of your choice.
- If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Look for a relevant job to gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who works in the relevant field, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
- If you do not have a qualification at upper secondary level, there are still ways: even as an adult, it is possible to obtain the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ) or a general qualification at upper secondary level. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance"
- If you have a federally recognized apprenticeship qualification without a vocational baccalaureate, you can catch up on the vocational baccalaureate. Many of the cantonal vocational baccalaureate schools offer special BM2 courses for qualified professionals, which last approx. 4 semesters (part-time) or 2 semesters (full-time).Hereyou will find an overview of the cantonal websites. You also have the opportunity to take the Federal Vocational Baccalaureate examination after individual preparation. You can find more informationhere.
Please also take a look at our self-tests:- You catch up on the vocational baccalaureate:Vocational baccalaureate self-test
- You catch up on the gymnasiale Matura:Matura schools for adults Self-test
- If you have a foreign degree and are not sure whether it will be recognized for admission, please contact the university of applied sciences directly.
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as work experience for the Traffic Engineer FH degree course, clarify your chances directly with the university of your choice.
- If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Look for a relevant job to gain experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who works in the relevant field, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
Subject matter and content of the course
In principle, each university of applied sciences can decide for itself how to structure its degree courses in transport systems. Consequently, the subject matter may vary from university of applied sciences to university of applied sciences. This also applies to the specializations/specializations offered.
The learning material often consists of the following topics:
- Spatial planning
- Transportation systems
- Programming
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Communication
- Transport economics
- Traffic law
- Maintenance
After the assessment phase in the first year of study, students then have the opportunity to specialize thematically according to their interests in the main course. In transport engineering studies, this is often not done via a specialization, but by means of compulsory elective modules, which promises an even more individual profile.
Here is a selection:
- Mobility Data
- Logistics
- Traffic engineering
- Modeling & simulation of traffic systems
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the FH Transportation Systems degree course, don't throw your arms up in the air straight away. Many people do. As the course content varies from university of applied sciences to university of applied sciences, it is best to compare the course content and specialization options offered by the various providers. There may be a course that suits you after all.
Obviously, the typical course content on the way to a bachelor's degree in traffic engineering at a university of applied sciences is not your cup of tea. Take a look at other training or further education programs instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The amount of the costs depends on various factors: the school, the place of training, the training model and also the sponsorship of the university of applied sciences (public, semi-private, private). In general, the following costs can be expected for the 6-8 semester traffic engineering course:
- Course feesFees: between CHF 700 and CHF 1000 per semester (public school) for residents of Switzerland. Students from abroad must expect higher course fees.
- Application/registration feebetween CHF 200.- and CHF 300.-
- Examination fees (per semester)these fees are normally already included in the course fees
- Additional costsSome providers charge extra costs for teaching materials, course materials, copies/printouts, student ID/campus card, etc. Please contact the school of your choice directly and ask what extra costs you can expect.
Question 5:
Are you able to pay between CHF 700 and CHF 1000 per semester?
- Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, cantons, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissand the procedure for this can be found in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
- Most schools allow you to pay your tuition fees in installments. The schools usually charge a small surcharge for paying in installments.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, cantons, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissand the procedure for this can be found in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on the awarding of scholarships can be foundhere. (Note: The scholarship office in your canton of residence is responsible for awarding scholarships).
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
- First take a closer look at the schools you are considering and clarify what costs you would actually have to expect and inquire about the possibility of paying in installments.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, cantons, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissand the procedure for this can be found in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- You can obtain information about scholarship opportunitieshere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Duration of study, training model, number of teaching hours, teaching format and learning effort
- Duration of studies and training modelThe Traffic Systems course has a modular structure and lasts 6 semesters in the full-time model or at least 8 semesters in the part-time model (in addition, a professional activity of at least 50% is possible, 60% to max. 80% is recommended) or the practice-integrated model.
- Number of lessonsStudy achievements are expressed in so-called ECTS points (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System Points), a kind of tool for the standardized study structure of Bachelor's and Master's degree courses at universities. As a rule, 180 ECTS points are required for a Bachelor's degree, which corresponds to 4,500-5,400 hours of work. (One ECTS point corresponds to a student workload of 25 to 30 working hours). This includes all study units such as lectures, tutorials, exercises, coursework, semester examinations, etc.
- Teaching formatIn addition to traditional classroom teaching, many universities of applied sciences now also offer online courses and forms of learning. Teaching is mainly carried out in lectures, group lessons, exercises and laboratory practicals.
- Learning effort: You should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons as well as for self-study - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model.
Tip:Many schools now offer taster lessons or even half or full taster days. This gives you the opportunity to get a taste of student life and get to know the campus better. You can also ask the students on site direct questions about the course.
Question 6:
Can you find the time to study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A good study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you do not have enough time, look for schools where you can extend your studies by individual arrangement. This would allow you to spread your studies over a longer period of time.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training.
Degree, diploma and title
Transportation Systems is one of the engineering degree courses that place high demands on mathematics.
In the traffic engineering degree program, the respective modules, as a completed learning unit, are continuously completed with a performance assessment. What exactly this assessment looks like varies from university to university of applied sciences. These can be semester or module examinations, project or seminar work, papers, presentations, discussions and case studies. 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 transportation engineering course is completed with a Bachelor's thesis (12 ECTS). This is an independent written thesis, which is written by the students individually and usually in the last two semesters of study. The thesis deals with a current topic or problem from the subject area and should demonstrate that the students are able to work independently on a task in a scientifically justified manner, within a given time frame and in compliance with the formal requirements. The Bachelor's thesis is often written in collaboration with a company,
As a rule, the Bachelor's thesis is defended in a presentation.
The respective university of applied sciences also determines the details of the final qualification procedure.
Diploma and title
Students who have earned at least 180 ECTS credits and have passed the Bachelor's thesis and presentation in Transportation Systems Studies are awarded a Bachelor's degree from a federally accredited university of applied sciences and are entitled to use the title "Bachelor of Science [FH] in Transportation Systems".
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the assessment and the Bachelor's examination?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain important exam experience, e.g. with old exams.
Tip:Here you will find helpful information on the question: "Studying - and then?"
- If you are unsure because you are coming 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.
- We also recommend that you attend an information event on this 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.
- Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
- Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, such as coaching or autogenic/mental training. You can find suitable providers here:
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain important exam experience, e.g. with old exams.
Tip:Here you will find helpful information on the question: "Studying - and then?"
- If you are not at all confident about passing the final exam but would like to complete the course, it is best to arrange a personal consultation with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
- Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
- Also consider whether you would like other support, such as coaching or autogenic/mental training. You can find suitable providers here:
No, the course leading to a Bachelor's degree in Traffic Engineering FH does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further education. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other training or further education courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Training to become a traffic engineer FH is probably not the right further education goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal career. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable training or further education.
Then see what other training or further education courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: working as a traffic engineer FH does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other training or further education courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Training to become a traffic engineer FH is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the information events organized by the providers. There you will learn a lot more about the course and can discuss your personal options and questions directly with the subject representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This "Bachelor of Transportation Systems" course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools: