Master of Science in Business Administration

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Master of Science in Business Administration

The SUPSI Master of Science in Business Administration with Major in Innovation Management develops in-depth and specialised skills in planning, accompanying and managing processes of change and sustainable transformation of organisations at strategic and operational levels.

SUPSI Course Overview

Overview

  • Degree awarded

    Master of Science SUPSI in Business Administration

  • Credits

    90 ECTS

  • Study modes

    Part-time (PT), from 2 years

  • Applications *

    (PT) November 17th, 2025 - April 30th, 2026

  • Start date

    September 2026

  • Language

    Italian, English

  • Semester fee

    From CHF 800.-

  • Location

    Manno, stabile Suglio
    Manno, stabile Piazzetta

*For further details see the "Admission and registration" section

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The SUPSI Master of Science in Business Administration is a consecutive (post-Bachelor's) course that aims to complete the basic education of business economists (and related sciences) by developing in-depth and specialised skills in the design, planning, evaluation, implementation and management of processes of change and sustainable transformation of organisations at strategic and operational levels.

The Master's course aims to train professionals who can act as facilitators of innovation endowed with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The Master's course is looking for male and female students who are ready to get involved and question what they have established, in order to build skills during the course that will facilitate the initiation and facilitation of change processes.

Graduates of the Master's in Business Administration are prepared for responsible positions, able to assume management functions or responsibility for strategic projects, lead the strategic management process and launch independent business initiatives.
 
  1. Developing future scenarios through strategic foresight to drive innovation processes: analyzing data and emerging signals to create future scenarios that guide innovation, strengthen resilience, and align stakeholders.
  2. Balancing short-term objectives with long-term innovation strategies using portfolio management tools and strategic planning techniques: managing project portfolios and strategic planning to ensure operational efficiency, adaptability, and sustainable growth.
  3. Aligning innovation initiatives with the organization’s strategic direction: integrating new projects with organizational goals to ensure coherence, strategic value, and stakeholder engagement.
  4. Managing iterative and participatory innovation processes by engaging stakeholders: engaging stakeholders through co-creation and structured feedback loops to develop impactful, sustainable solutions.
  5. Identifying and developing integrated and sustainable value propositions: designing solutions that meet customer needs while ensuring economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
  6. Understanding and activating the innovation ecosystem: identifying key players and fostering collaborations to strengthen networks and drive systemic innovation.
  7. Adapting the organization with agility in response to external changes and market needs: optimizing strategies, processes, and business models to improve responsiveness and competitiveness.
  8. Developing and fostering an innovative, risk-taking, and collaborative organizational culture: encouraging experimentation, inclusive leadership, and continuous learning to drive organizational change.
  9. Demonstrating curiosity, courage, and the ability to challenge the status quo: exploring new ideas, taking calculated risks, and fostering critical and creative thinking.
  10. Developing a proactive work approach with strong communication, presentation, and teamwork skills: effectively managing projects, presenting ideas clearly, and collaborating in dynamic environments.

 

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Il percorso formativo funge da trampolino di lancio per persone intenzionate a diventare i protagonisti nella gestione d’impresa nella dinamica economica e organizzativa di aziende industriali e di servizi, nell’amministrazione pubblica e nelle grandi organizzazioni attive internazionalmente. Esse saranno preparate ad assumere, dopo alcuni anni di esperienza pratica, posizioni di responsabilità in numerosi ambiti, quali p.es.:
 
  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Product management
  • Innovation management
  • Key account management
  • Management di progetti complessi
  • Organizzazione e consulenza alle imprese
  • Strategic Management

La Svizzera e il Canton Ticino sono considerate terre di innovazione. I laureati del Master sono pronti ad assumere la responsabilità di progetti strategici di cambiamento in aziende industriali e di servizi, in agenzie per l’innovazione, nell’amministrazione pubblica e nelle grandi organizzazioni attive internazionalmente in qualità di: Project Manager, Business Developer, Business Analyst e Business Consultant.

I laureati saranno anche in grado di assumere la direzione di piccole e medie imprese e lanciare iniziative imprenditoriali indipendenti.

The training course serves as a stepping-stone for people who want to become key players in business management in the economic and organisational dynamics of industrial and service companies, in public administration and in large, internationally active organisations. They will be prepared to assume, after a few years of practical experience, positions of responsibility in numerous areas.
Marketing
Management
Product management
Innovation management
Key account management
Management of complex projects
Business organisation and consultancz
Strategic management
Switzerland and the Canton of Ticino are considered to be a land of innovation. Graduates of the Master's programme are prepared to assume responsibility for strategic change projects in industrial and service companies, innovation agencies, public administration and large internationally active organisations as: Project Manager, Business Developer, Business Analyst and Business Consultant.

Graduates will also be able to take over the management of small and medium-sized enterprises and launch independent business ventures.

Upon completion of the Master's degree, it is possible to continue the academic course by obtaining a PhD (Doctorate) at a Swiss or foreign university.

In addition, there is the possibility of access to continuing education courses offered by SUP, universities or colleges at national and international level.



SUPSI offers various continuing education courses in various fields of management, human resources  and economics e including:
  • Business management
  • Finance
  • Human resources
  • Marketing
  • Business organisation
  • Public & Non-profit
  • Skills development

Our graduates work successfully in companies in Ticino, mainly in the marketing, organisation and administration departments, in roles such as Business Developer, Project Manager, Innovation Analyst, Sustainability Analyst and Customer Relationship Manager. Some graduates have started their own successful business projects, while others work in large companies , such as Roche, RUAG, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, etc., dealing with innovation and business transformation projects as Innovation Manager, Innovation Specialist and Business Consultant. 
After a few years of professional experience, our alumni hold positions of responsibility in Swiss companies as regional directors, are managers in the Regional Innovation System of the Canton of Ticino or manage SMEs.Parallel to their professional activities, some of our graduates have chosen to follow Continuing Education courses through SUPSI CAS in order to further specialise in a specific field such as banking, business organisation or digital marketing.  

The first semester enables you to understand and interact with the changing world and to question what has been established, through contemporary advanced management concepts and tools. The second semester provides the basis for understanding and applying, through concrete projects, the scientific method and the tools of applied research to study and evaluate the changing world. The third semester delves into specific advanced topics related to innovation from a multi-level and systemic perspective. The fourth semester is dedicated to full immersion in the study, planning and management of complex phenomena and projects of innovation .
Lessons are conducted in Italian and English.

  • Leading Business Transformation

    This orientation is designed specifically for those who wish to take a strategic approach and focus primarily on business development, new product management and development, marketing, strategy, and entry into new markets in order to gain a company-wide overview.


     

  • Leading Organizational Change

    This area aims to specifically profile those who want to promote organizational innovation within companies, working in multiple areas including human resources, project management, process management, corporate social responsibility and controlling.
     

  • Leading Regional Development

    This address was development for those who intend to work in territorial development projects such as tourism and economic policies to promote regional attractiveness and competitiveness.


     

  • Practice-oriented teaching approach

    Master's students have the opportunity to acquire the necessary and immediately expendable skills in the labor market through multiple business cases, group work, simulations and projects in collaboration with local companies. In addition, the Faculty is composed of faculty-researchers and professional lecturers who bring to the classroom the problems encountered respectively in their own applied research or consulting activities and acting as facilitators guide students to learn innovative approaches to change

  • Collaboration with local companies

    The Master's program boasts strong partnerships with various companies and institutions in the area. This allows students to work on real projects and take advantage of meaningful networking opportunities.

  • Professional training to become an innovation manager

    In a dynamic global market environment, innovation is essential for corporate growth and sustainability. The Master's program aims to train Innovation Managers, professionals capable of understanding and anticipating opportunities for change by ensuring the readiness of organizations to meet emerging challenges.

Collaboration with local companies and organisations

The Innovation Project is one of the final steps in our Master's program, a part of the program that goes beyond the classroom and offers students a concrete and engaging experience in the field of innovation management. What makes it so educational and professionalizing is its authenticity: it is not just simulations or applied exercises, but real projects developed in collaboration with partner companies or within the organizations where our students work.

Imagine being immersed in a strategic challenge related to innovation, working side by side with industry professionals and business leaders to address complex and current issues. This is exactly what the Innovation Project offers students. It is not only an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course, but also to test themselves in a real-world setting where decisions have tangible impacts on the success of the company.
In the course of this project, students are required to use appropriate methods and tools with scientific rigor to analyze the situation, develop innovative solutions and monitor results. But it's not just about technical skills: the Innovation Project also promotes the development of key soft skills, such as teamwork, effective communication, and the ability to convincingly present the results obtained.

In addition, the critical thinking aspect is crucial. Students must not only present results, but also be able to evaluate the process followed, identifying lessons learned and opportunities for improvement. It is a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students not only to face specific challenges related to innovation, but also to grow as reflective professionals who are aware of their own capabilities and limitations. It is a time of personal and professional growth that truly marks a difference in our students' educational journey.

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Groups of students are asked to play the role of managers of companies in the same industry competing with each other and managing their companies in their relations with market players. The simulation is developed on a particular tabletop board that provides an overview of the company's operation in its strategic, production, economic-financial, investment components, etc.) and stimulates awareness and deep reflection on management decisions and their consequences.

During the spring semester of their second year, students take an international study tour in which they explore entrepreneurship and innovation issues in a hands-on way, studying and interacting with the local environment. The goal is to engage with a highly innovative environment while developing problem solving and teamwork skills. In recent years, students have done the study tour at: Bilbao, Spain - Deusto Business School; Grenoble, France - Grenoble Ecole de Management; Tallinn, Estonia - Visit to start-ups and business incubators/accelerators; London, England - Visit to start-ups and business incubators/accelerators; Jönköping, Sweden, Jönköping International Business School.

The Master's degree allows for the acquisition of 90 ECTS in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS credit corresponds to approximately 30 hours of study (lectures, individual and group projects, assisted and individual study).
The Master's degree is offered in a part-time mode over two years (4 semesters, totalling 90 ECTS).

The teaching method envisaged by the Master's course is that of integrated teaching, alternating between in-presence (classroom) and online modes with synchronous activities (in the presence of the lecturer to a class group) and asynchronous activities (autonomous work by the student, possibly guided by the lecturer's instructions). The synchronous in-presence and online lectures take place largely at the following times: Thursday evening (17:30 to 20:45), Friday all day (09:00 to 16:30) and Saturday morning (09:00 to 12:15).

The average value of the commitment to study (lectures and independent work/study) is around 1'100 hours per year and allows the student to pursue a professional activity in parallel up to a maximum of 80% (recommended 60-70%) or to devote time to family commitments, a military career or other sporting or artistic commitments.

The mode of study refers to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), i.e. the European system for the recognition, transfer and accumulation of educational credits at university level. One ECTS credit corresponds to a student workload of approximately 30 hours/lessons, supervised study and individual study.
 
Those who need, for professional or personal reasons, to spread the Master's degree over several years, can do so by developing a personalised curriculum with the Head of the degree programme. Nevertheless, the Master's degree may not last longer than nine semesters.

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The affiliated school Fernfachhochschule Schweiz (FFHS) in Brig offers a new Master of Business Administration in Sustainability and Circular Innovation, entirely online and in English. For students who wish, it is possible to take modules at the FFHS and thus obtain a Major in Sustainability and Circular Innovation. More information can be found on the FFHS website.

Course FB Modules List

The contents of the published study plans reflect the structure of the modules and/or courses currently planned and may be subject to change over time, based on the evolution of the educational offering.

SUPSI Course Responsibles

Leandro Bitetti

Docente-ricercatore / Responsabile corso di laurea - Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care

Course FB Teachers

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Economics are directly admitted to the Master of Science in Business Administration; other applications are evaluated on dossier. The Master has a limited number of places.
The application for admission is submitted exclusively by following the online procedure available on the Student Portal.
 
After a few days, once the application for admission has been assessed, an e-mail communication will follow containing the outcome of the assessment: admission or non-conforming application. 
Those who are admitted will receive a second e-mail with the necessary information to definitively confirm their registration. 

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Candidates with one of the following degrees are admitted to the Master in Business Administration program:
  • ​​​​​​​SUPSI Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or Leisure Management or SUP Diploma in the field of Business Administration
  • University Bachelor's degree in Economics or related (Swiss and foreign degrees).
  • Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in subjects related to business sciences (e.g., Communication Sciences - business address or Management Engineering) may submit an application, which will be evaluated by the Master's Management.
  • Other applications will be evaluated by the Master's Management.
Requirements for other profiles
Applicants who at the time of enrollment are in the semester of obtaining the degree valid for admission to the Master's program are provisionally admitted. Final admission must take place by December 1, subject to obtaining the said degree. It is the student's responsibility to provide proof by this deadline.

Language
At the time of enrollment, applicants must present a valid certificate in English language level B2 according to the CEF - Common European Framework (IELTS 5.5 - 6.5, Cambridge B2) or a letter of commitment to certify it within the deadline stipulated by regulation. This level must be certified no later than the beginning of the third semester of the Master's program. It is the student's responsibility to provide proof of this to the Master's Degree Officer.

Candidates with a foreign mother tongue must have, at the time of enrollment, a knowledge of the Italian language equal to the skills indicated in level C1 according to CEF - Common European Framework.

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The application for admission must be submitted by the deadline (see overview).
Applications after the deadline are possible, only if places are available, by paying a fee of CHF 300.
SUPSI reserves the right to close applications if the maximum number of scheduled places available is reached.

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Fee
The fee is CHF 1600 per semester, respectively CHF 800 for students benefiting from the application of the Intercantonal Agreement on Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (Swiss nationality or tax domicile in Switzerland or Liechtenstein). Specific agreements apply for students resident in Campione d’Italia.
Application fee
A fee of CHF 160 must be paid online when applying for admission. This fee is neither refundable nor deductible from the semester fee
Administrative and logistical costs
A fee of CHF 200 is required to be paid online when applying for admission. The fee is not refundable or deductible from the semester fee. After the application deadline, it is possible to register subject to available places and by paying a fee of CHF 300.
Scolarships
​​​​​​​Various public and private institutions offer support to students in need. More information on scholarships available here.

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Frequently asked questions

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Open days/evenings are held between January and March each year, during which, for example, the content of the course, professional outlets and the admission procedure are presented. It is also possible to visit the campus and meet directly with students and lecturers.

SUPSI qualifications are valid both in Switzerland and worldwide. In regulated professions, SUPSI qualifications also qualify for the profession in Switzerland, while in other countries it is necessary to check with the relevant body for recognition.

You can take a semester an maximum one year at another university in Switzerland or abroad through related agreements. Find more information and reference contacts on the dedicated page.

They are a contribution to the costs of teaching (school materials, charges for visits, general administrative and secretarial costs, teaching and IT support, etc.).

Following the Bologna Reform, study courses have been structured into modules and each module is allocated a number of study credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 to 30 hours. 60 credits represent the annual workload in the case of full-time education. A Bachelor's degree requires 180 ECTS and a Master's degree 90 to 120 ECTS.

Visualizzatore contatto

  • Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care

    Master in Business Administration

  • Suglio Business Center
    4° 4th floor East entrance, Via Cantonale 18
    CH-6928 Manno

  •  

  • T +41 (0)58 666 61 12

    deass.mba@supsi.ch

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