New training course strengthens cross-system expertise in the rail industry
The University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW is launching the MAS Railway Systems together with the Bern University of Applied Sciences - a part-time continuing education program that prepares specialists and managers for the growing complexity of modern railroad systems. The first course will start in fall 2026.
Rail is a central pillar of mobility in Switzerland - and its systems are becoming increasingly complex. Vehicle technology, signaling, infrastructure and operations are becoming increasingly intertwined. With the new Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Railway Systems, the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW and the Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH are responding specifically to this need.
Unique offer closes training gap
The MAS Railway Systems FHNW is unique in this form: the program was developed specifically from practical experience - the demand arose directly from participants in existing Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) programs. The program is a concrete response to the industry's need for in-depth, cross-system expertise.
At MAS level, the focus to date has mainly been on infrastructure and system knowledge. The new MAS Railway Systems FHNW complements this offering with the areas of vehicle technology and signaling. Together, the two universities of applied sciences thus cover a broad spectrum of modern railroad systems.
Understanding systems as a key competence
Modern rail systems can only function reliably and efficiently if vehicles, infrastructure and safety systems are considered as a unit. The program is aimed at specialists and managers from transport companies, the rail industry and engineering and planning offices who use this overarching understanding in their daily work.
«Anyone working in the rail industry today has to think beyond their own area of expertise. Our MAS enables participants to understand complex systems and make well-founded decisions,» says Prof. Dr. Ishan Pendharkar, program director of the MAS Railway Systems at the FHNW.
Joint offer from two universities of applied sciences
The MAS Railway Systems can be completed at the FHNW or at the BFH on a part-time basis. The program has a modular structure and combines several CAS degrees with a concluding MAS thesis. The FHNW focuses on vehicle technology and signaling, the BFH on system knowledge and infrastructure. The result is a joint continuing education program that combines key areas of the railroad system in one course. The first course will start at the FHNW in fall 2026.
Further information on the MAS Railway Systems is available on the FHNW website: www.fhnw.ch/technik
