The academic offerings of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) are expanding with a new interdisciplinary program designed to train coordinators for sustainable transition. The new Bachelor of Science program will begin in September 2027. Enrollment for the bridge year will open on April 27 for those with a high school diploma.
Understanding the complexity of environmental, social, and economic systems and designing practical solutions to support individual and collective well-being is becoming increasingly crucial. Climate change, demographic aging, digitalization, and the responsible use of resources are triggering profound transformation processes that require new skills to turn these challenges into drivers of development for companies, institutions, and organizations.
It is in this context that the Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and Systemic Transition was created. This new interdisciplinary program, jointly offered by SUPSI’s Department of Environment Constructions and Design and the Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, is designed to address the transition toward a more equitable, inclusive, innovative, and regenerative society.
Starting in the 2027–2028 academic year, students will be able to enroll in this new program, which will prepare coordinators for sustainable transition—a role increasingly in demand by companies, institutions, and organizations involved in the consultation process that preceded the design of this new educational program. Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and Systemic Transition will be able to contribute to the analysis, design, and implementation of transformative policies, projects, and interventions, adopting a systemic, collaborative, and positive-impact-oriented approach.
The versatility of the training offered, combined with a strong focus on real-world problems and concrete cases, will enable these professionals to apply their cross-cutting skills and transformative capabilities to various job roles, such as: coordinator of territorial development plans and strategies, facilitator of integrated territorial projects (settlement systems, mobility, energy, social aspects), a liaison or assistant for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Diversity and Inclusion, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) matters, and, more generally, a project officer in public agencies, businesses, NGOs, and startups, as well as a consultant for sustainable transition in private companies.
Course plan
During the first two years of the program, students will be provided with the theoretical and ethical foundations of sustainability and systems thinking, delving into how natural, economic, and social systems function and the techniques used to analyze and monitor their evolution.
Students will also develop interpersonal, collaborative, and co-design skills, which are essential for understanding and managing complex phenomena through a systems-based approach. Starting in the second year, the focus will shift to the design and management of sustainability measures necessary for the transition, working on concrete cases and problems faced by partner organizations and institutions. In the third year, students will be able to customize their academic path by selecting specialized courses, completing a three-month internship integrated into the program, and writing their thesis. This final part of the Bachelor’s program will offer the opportunity to build on individual strengths and facilitate entry into the workforce through specialized studies aimed at developing practical professional skills for specific contexts, such as public agencies, service companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, industries, and non-profit organizations.
Admission Criteria and Timeline
Enrollment for the 2027–2028 academic year will officially open on Monday, November 16, 2026. Applicants holding a gymnasium diploma from the Bellinzona Cantonal School of Commerce or a vocational gymnasium diploma obtained in Switzerland or its equivalent will be admitted directly, subject to available spots and based on a ranking determined through an aptitude interview.
For applicants who do not meet these requirements - such as those holding a gymnasium diploma - an aptitude interview is required, followed by a one-year professional internship (preparatory course) beginning in October 2026. Registration for the preparatory course will open on Monday, April 27. For individuals holding a vocational baccalaureate obtained abroad, an individual interview will be conducted to assess suitability for the training program.
For questions and updates, please fill out the online form or visit the Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and Systemic Transition webpage.
Two online information sessions are scheduled for Monday, April 27, and Wednesday, May 20. More information can be found at the following link.