Self-test: Is the "Business Information Systems Specialist" vocational examination suitable for me?
Would you like to find out more about further training in business informatics? In particular, whether this business informatics course leading to a federal certificate is really the right one for you?
Then take our free and non-binding self-test now. You will also receive helpful tips and further information on your answers.
What does the everyday working life of business IT specialists with a federal certificate look like?
Business IT specialists have both business management skills and a sound understanding of ICT. They are therefore often referred to as "bridge builders" who "translate" between management and ICT.
Business IT specialists work in companies of all sizes and in all sectors that use, sell or distribute ICT systems or provide advice on ICT. Their work varies depending on the size of the company. In smaller companies, for example, they act as all-rounders who carry out many tasks independently. In large companies, they work together with other ICT specialists and business administrators and often manage a small team and special projects.
One of the core tasks of business IT specialists is to ensure stable ICT solutions. To this end, they take care of ICT projects - development, support, administration, analysis and evaluation - and take on responsible roles in all phases.
For example, they clarify the resource requirements, technical requirements and costs. They also plan and monitor deadlines and the budget. When introducing new ICT systems, they ensure a smooth transition and support users, for example by providing training.
Business IT specialists are also responsible for the operational implementation of a company's or organization's ICT strategy. In doing so, they actively support the management. They keep abreast of the latest developments on the market so that they can assess the impact on their own company and initiate changes in good time.
Remember: The distribution/weighting/frequency of tasks can vary greatly depending on the job profile and function as well as the company (size, sector, etc.).
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a business IT specialist (BP)?
Great! Then you've come to the right place with this course.
By the way: If you are looking for further suitable training opportunities after successfully completing the federal certificate, 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.
As explained above, the specific tasks of business IT specialists with a federal certificate depend very much on the company in which they work. Take a look at relevant job advertisements. Perhaps you will find job descriptions that only require the activities that you are more suited to; if so, then you are in the right place in terms of content with this further training.
Please also take a look at the following guides:
You may come across courses here that are better suited to your requirements in terms of activities.
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities. You will find a large selection on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination to become a business IT specialist with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The course and the professional examination for "Business Information Systems Specialist" are aimed at the following target group:
- ICT professionals who are interested in economic issues and would like to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills.
- ICT specialists who want to take a more generalist approach to their career and expand their professional activities in the direction of departmental and company management.
- Determined business people with ICT experience who would like to prove their skills with a federal certificate.
- Business people with professional experience in ICT who want to put their role as a mediator between IT and business management on a solid footing.
Business informatics specialists (BP) should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Organizational talent, independence
- An eye for the big picture - but also for detail
- Flexibility
- Sense of responsibility
- Team player
- Good communication skills
- Negotiating skills
- Patience, perseverance
- Logical thinking
- Leadership qualities
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great!
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot aim for the federal certificate directly. But don't worry, there are many ways to enter the ICT or commercial sector. Take a look at our guides:
You may come across further training courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you don't have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you won't be happy in this role. Look out for training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to the professional examination for business IT specialists:
In order to take the professional examination for the Federal Certificate in Business Information Technology, you must meet the following requirements by the examination date or examination registration date:
- Apprenticeship (EFZ) in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) and at least 2 years of professional experience in the ICT sector
Or
- EFZ as a commercial clerk and at least 2 years of professional experience in the ICT sector
Or
- Federal certificate of proficiency or other qualification (high school diploma, technical diploma, vocational diploma or equivalent qualification) and at least 4 years of professional experience in the ICT sector.
You will be notified in writing at least three months before the start of the examination whether you have been admitted to the professional examination. If you receive a rejection letter, you will be given a reason.
It is not mandatory to attend a preparatory course for admission to the professional examination. However, as the preparatory courses are very specifically geared towards the requirements of the professional examination, course participation is generally highly recommended.
Note: Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for business IT specialists if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is then your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/examination registration.
Would you only like to attend the course but not complete the BP? This is possible at some schools. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great!
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be counted as professional experience for business IT specialists, please clarify this directly with the sponsoring body or the examination secretariat of the professional examination,of ICT Vocational Training Switzerland. Here you will receive a binding preliminary clarification.
- If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs in order to gain the required work experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the ICT or commercial sector, 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 are not sure whether you will be admitted to the professional examination with your other qualifications (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat. It can carry out a binding preliminary clarification.
- SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP.Hereyou will find more information.
- If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be counted as professional experience for business IT specialists, please clarify this directly with the sponsoring body or the examination secretariat of the professional examination,of ICT Vocational Training Switzerland. Here you will receive a binding preliminary clarification.
- If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs in order to gain the required work experience.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the ICT or commercial sector, 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 are not sure whether you will be admitted to the professional examination with your other qualifications (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat. It can carry out a binding preliminary clarification.
- SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP.Hereyou will find more information.
- If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourGuide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
Subject matter and content of the training
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for business IT specialists is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz. The sponsoring body is also responsible for the periodic review of the professional examination. This review ensures that the knowledge and skills taught are up to date, i.e. that they always meet the current requirements of the job market.
The following topics are covered in a preparatory course for business IT specialists:
- Business EngineeringModeling, analyzing and optimizing business processes, delimiting systems and defining requirements, evaluating IT solutions
- Business ManagementObserve and evaluate innovations and trends, calculate and evaluate the profitability of ICT projects, carry out business analyses, calculate and budget expenditure for ICT projects
- Data ManagementDesign and ensure quality management
- Project ManagementLead and support teams, plan, manage and monitor projects
- Security / Risk ManagementEnsure security and compliance
- Service ManagementDevelop and agree ICT service, monitor and improve ICT service operations
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.
You can find the detailed modular system for business IT specialists herehere.
If you are only partially interested in the content of this federal certificate of further education, take a look at training and further education courses in related areas. You may find a course that suits you better. You can find inspiration here:
Obviously, the typical subject areas of business IT specialists with a federal certificate are not your thing. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs for further training in business informatics differ depending on the provider. Not so the examination fee - this is set by the sponsor of the federal examination.
In general, the following costs must be expected for further education in business informatics.
- Course feesBetween CHF 14,400 and CHF 16,000, of which you will receive up to 50% back from the federal government upon application (regardless of the result).
- External examination feeCHF 2,900 (as of June 2023). Candidates pay the examination fee as soon as they have received notification of admission.
- With some providers you have to payadditional costsfor example for enrollment, teaching materials and training documents, internal examinations or simulation examinations. We recommend that you contact the provider of your choice directly. Ask what extra costs you can expect.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions will also be paid out in advance.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance around CHF 17,300 - CHF 18,900 for the course and exam?
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 federal contributions to courses that prepare students for federal examinations can be found athere.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
- Information on federal contributions to courses that prepare students for federal examinations can be found athere.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
- Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
- Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
- Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
- Information on federal contributions to courses that prepare students for federal examinations can be found athere.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Duration of study, teaching times, teaching methods and learning effort
- Depending on the provider, the extra-occupational and modular business IT specialist course lasts two to four semesters.
- When the preparation course takes place is determined independently by the educational institutions. Lesson times can therefore vary. The courses are often offered on two evenings or one full day per week.
- Many schools now offer different forms of teaching. In addition to traditional face-to-face teaching, there are also online courses, such as online teaching, hybrid teaching or blended learning. You are sure to find a continuing education course in business informatics with teaching formats that suit you. By the way: You can find a helpful overview of the different teaching formats and their characteristics in the answers.
- Thanks to the in-service training concept, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the teaching and learning atmosphere - both important aspects on the way to a successful degree. Contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-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.
You will find a helpful overview of the different teaching methods and their characteristicshere.
Have you possibly already acquired the learning material for individual modules in other training or further education courses? If so, and if you receive a confirmation of equivalence, you no longer have to spend time studying the relevant modules and learning materials. If you are unsure whether your qualifications will be recognized for the professional examination (equivalence check), please contact theExamination secretariat.
If, despite everything, you are not able to devote this much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over more than four semesters.
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?
You will find a helpful overview of the different teaching methods and their characteristicshere.
Degree, diploma and title
If at least 25 candidates meet the admission requirements after the announcement, the professional examination is held every year, otherwise every two years. Candidates can decide for themselves in which language (German, French or Italian) they wish to be examined.
Candidates receive the invitation at least four weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program and the list of experts.
The professional examination for business IT specialists is structured as follows (examination part, examination type, time, weighting):
1) ICT concept: written (project work prepared in advance) and oral, 45 minutes, weighting: 50%
In this part of the examination, candidates develop a concept in advance. In it, they deal with a problem from ICT practice and design a feasible solution. The formal and content-related specifications and requirements are set out in the appendix to the guidelines (you will find the link to this in the answers)
In addition to the written project work, there is an oral examination. Here, candidates present their project work to two experts and then answer their questions in a technical discussion.
2) ICT Management and Operations: written, 240 minutes (4 h), weighting: 25%
In the second part of the examination, candidates work on one or more case studies. In addition, there are several mini-cases in which the candidates deal with the implementation of the ICT strategy, introduction and evaluation of ICT solutions, optimization of business processes and the operation of ICT solutions.
3) Project management and leadership: oral, 60 minutes, weighting: 25%
Candidates work through two critical work situations. This tests their ability to act decisively, in a structured, considered and correct manner, even in problematic situations.
Diploma and title
Successful graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Business IT specialist with a federal certificate".
In French: "Informaticienne de gestion avec brevet fédéral / Informaticien de gestion avec brevet fédéral"
In Italian: "Informatica di gestione con attestato professionale federale / Informatico di gestione con attestato professionale federale"
In English: "Business Informatic Specialist, Federal Diploma of Higher Education" Attention: Please remember that the English title is only a suggested translation and is not a protected title.
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional examination for the federal certificate?
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 exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
Withthis linkto access the appendix to the guidelines.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice or the sponsor of the professional examination, theICT Vocational Training Switzerland. 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, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
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 exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
Withthis linkto access the appendix to the guidelines.
If you are not at all confident of passing the final examination but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school or the sponsor of the vocational examination, theICT Vocational Training Switzerland. 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, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
Withthis linkto access the appendix to the guidelines.
No, the course leading to the Federal Certificate in Business Information Technology (BP) is not right for you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Business IT specialist with a federal certificate (BP) 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 job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
That's a half-hearted result: working as a business IT specialist (BP) doesn't 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 further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Further training to become a business IT specialist with a federal certificate (BP) is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Business IT specialist further training / Business IT specialist (BP)"
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:
"Business IT specialist further training / Business IT specialist (BP)"
This 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:
"Business IT specialist further training / Business IT specialist (BP)"
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