FAQ

The KPM Center for Public Management at the University of Bern is a leading interdisciplinary institution for public management and administrative science in Switzerland. Since its foundation in 2002, the Center has studied how public tasks are organized and governed at the interface between research and practice. As a joint institution of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences (WISO) and the Faculty of Law (RW), it brings together expertise from several disciplines and allows public tasks to be examined comprehensively from economic, political science and legal perspectives. Around 60 staff members work here on solutions to current societal challenges.

The KPM offers a comprehensive range of programs at all levels. These include the Bachelor in Political Science and Public Administration and the inter-university Master in Public Management and Policy (PMP), which is offered jointly with the University of Lausanne (UniL) and the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). The portfolio is complemented by the Master Minor in Administrative Science and a specialized doctoral program, the Doctorate in the Administrative Sciences (Dr. admin. publ.). Students benefit from a close link between research-based teaching and practice-oriented content drawn from current questions in public administration, politics and public management.

The Bachelor in Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Bern combines political science, administrative science, law, economics and the social sciences in a single interdisciplinary program. Its aim is to prepare students to analyze and shape political and administrative processes and institutions. Particular attention is paid to how political decisions are prepared, implemented and evaluated, and to how public institutions function under complex societal conditions.

The program comprises a total of 180 ECTS credits and is taken as a major worth 120 ECTS. It is complemented by minor programs or free electives worth 60 ECTS. The standard duration of study is six semesters and the language of instruction is German.

The program combines classic questions of political science with topics from administrative science, public management and public law. Among other things, students engage with:

• political institutions and decision-making processes
• the interplay of politics, public administration and law
• public management and governance
• administrative reforms and the steering of public administration
• analytical and methodological skills for examining political and administrative challenges

The program is run jointly by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law, and is offered in cooperation with the KPM Center for Public Management. This combination of disciplines sets the program apart from traditional political science or purely law-based bachelor programs.

The program is aimed in particular at people with an interest in public institutions, public administration, political processes and questions of governance who later wish to work, for example, in public administration, international organizations, associations, NGOs, public affairs, political communication or consulting. At the same time, the Bachelor provides a foundation for further Master programs in political science and public administration.

Studies begin in the autumn semester.

Regular applications for the program are possible until 30 April.
A late application may still be submitted until 31 August. Please note that late applications incur an additional registration fee of CHF 100.00.

The KPM Secretariat will be happy to advise you.

The Master in Public Management and Policy (PMP) is an inter-university program run by the University of Bern in cooperation with the University of Lausanne (UniL) and the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). It provides in-depth, interdisciplinary knowledge for analyzing, steering and shaping public tasks and institutions at the national and international level.

The program aims to train decision-makers who understand complex governmental and societal challenges and are able to act at the interface of politics, public administration, law, the economy and society. Particular emphasis is placed on the multilingual and multicultural reality of Switzerland.

The program comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits and is normally completed full-time over four semesters. It is organized across universities and run jointly by the three partner universities in Bern, Lausanne and Italian-speaking Switzerland.

The interdisciplinary foundation phase is completed at one of the three locations (Bern, Lausanne or Lugano). In the subsequent specialization phase, students choose a field of specialization in which they also write their Master's thesis.

The program combines interdisciplinary training through lectures, seminars and public sector case studies with thematic specializations that have a strong practical focus. The following areas are covered in particular:

• public administration and state institutions in the Swiss context
• political, legal, economic and organizational aspects of public tasks
• methods of analysis in the public sector
• leadership and management challenges in public administrations

Teaching takes place in German as well as in other national languages or in English. The program thus reflects the multilingual and multicultural reality of Switzerland and encourages exchange between the language regions.

The program is aimed in particular at students preparing for careers in the public sector, in semi-public organizations or in non-profit institutions. Its interdisciplinary orientation also opens up career prospects in the private sector as well as access to further doctoral programs.

Studies begin in the autumn semester. Entry in the spring semester is possible only after consultation with the academic advisory service.

Regular applications for the program are possible until 30 April.
A late application may be submitted until 31 August. Please note that late applications incur an additional registration fee of CHF 100.00.

The Master PMP administration will be happy to advise you. Inquiries can be sent directly by email to pmp.kpm@unibe.ch.

Yes. A Doctorate in the Administrative Sciences can be completed at the KPM Center for Public Management. The degree awarded is Doctor Administrationis Rei Publicae (Dr. admin. publ.) and can be obtained either at the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences or at the Faculty of Law of the University of Bern.

Doctoral training takes place within the Swiss Public Administration Network (SPAN), which is organized jointly with the IDHEAP of the University of Lausanne (UniL) and the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) and is supported by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The program provides interdisciplinary training in the field of public administration.

Doctoral candidates are normally required to complete graded coursework worth at least 24 ECTS credits. Some of this coursework may also be recognized from external doctoral programs or accredited institutions. A part of it can be recorded without a grade in the Diploma Supplement.

The dissertation must make an independent research contribution in the field of administrative science and be interdisciplinary in orientation. It can be written either as a monograph or as a cumulative dissertation.

In the case of a cumulative dissertation, at least three academic articles are required, at least two of which must have been accepted for publication in recognized academic journals.

Candidates are admitted with a Master in Public Management and Policy or with a university degree in, for example, economics, business administration, political science, sociology or law, provided they have achieved an overall grade of at least 4.75. Equivalent degrees from other universities may be recognized.

A further requirement for admission is the willingness of a lecturer to supervise the dissertation project.

Applications for the autumn semester must be submitted by 15 October at the latest, and applications for the spring semester by 31 March at the latest.

The KPM Secretariat will be happy to advise you.

The Executive Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the University of Bern is a part-time continuing education program for employees and prospective senior staff in the public sector and in non-profit organizations. It provides practice-oriented and academically grounded knowledge in public management, administrative management and leadership.

The aim is to develop professional, leadership, social and personal competencies in a targeted way and to prepare participants for demanding management responsibilities. The degree "Executive Master of Public Administration MPA Universität Bern" is recognized both nationally and internationally.

The program comprises 60 ECTS credits and lasts two years. Teaching is organized on a part-time basis and takes place in regular blocks of 2.5 days in Bern as well as in block weeks lasting several days.

Contact teaching comprises 56 days of attendance in total. In addition, participants complete project work, self-study and context study, which support the transfer of what they have learned into professional practice.

The program covers central topics of public leadership and administration. These include in particular:

• political steering in the public sector
• strategic and financial management of public organizations
• public sector leadership and organizational development
• digital transformation of public administration
• government communication and media relations
• international cooperation and governance

Teaching is delivered by renowned speakers from academia, public administration and practice.

Admission generally requires a university degree as well as professional experience in the public sector or in comparable organizations. The program is aimed in particular at people in management positions, or with the potential to take on such positions, who wish to develop their leadership skills in a targeted way.

Admission "sur dossier" is also possible. In this case, experienced professionals without a university degree may be admitted, provided they can demonstrate their qualification for postgraduate university study in another way.

The admission procedure consists of a written application, an initial selection by the program management and a personal selection interview.

Tuition fees for the two-year program amount to CHF 47,500 (subject to price adjustments). This includes tuition and teaching materials as well as meals and accommodation during external block weeks.

Teaching takes place primarily in German and is organized on a part-time basis, so that participants can continue working while they study.

The program office will be happy to advise you. Inquiries can be sent directly by email to mpa.kpm@unibe.ch.

The CAS Public Administration CeMaP is a part-time certificate program of the University of Bern for executives in the public sector and in non-profit organizations. It is aimed in particular at people in senior management positions or at employees who are being prepared for such responsibilities. The course develops the competencies required to lead public institutions at the interface of politics, administration and management.

The course addresses central challenges facing public administration and links current academic findings with practical applications. Thematic priorities include:

• decision-making processes and the implementation of public policies
• the economics of the public sector
• organizational design of public administrations
• strategic management and innovation
• leadership and the management of change
• digitalization and future developments in public administration

The CAS comprises 15 ECTS credits and consists of 13 days of attendance spread over one year. Classes are organized on a part-time basis and allow study and professional practice to be combined directly.

The course starts each spring, is taught in German in Bern and is offered every two years.

The program is run by the KPM Center for Public Management at the University of Bern. A key partner institution is the Institut de hautes études en administration publique (IDHEAP) of the University of Lausanne, one of the leading Swiss institutes in the field of public administration. As part of this cooperation, one module can be attended at the IDHEAP.

Admission generally requires a higher education degree as well as several years of professional and management experience in the public sector or in non-profit organizations. In justified cases, admission "sur dossier" is also possible. The program management decides on admission.

The costs for the entire course amount to CHF 9,500.

The program office will be happy to advise you. Inquiries can be sent directly by email to cemap.kpm@unibe.ch.

Yes, graduates of the CeMaP can have the course credited toward the advanced phase of the Executive Master of Public Administration (MPA). The CeMaP replaces any one of modules 1 to 6 of the Master program. As compensation for the assessment not taken, the KPM requires a reflection paper, which must be passed. This offers an attractive way of developing academically step by step.

The KPM has a broad national and international network and cooperates with numerous universities and research centers as well as with partners from public administration, politics and practice. These collaborations form the basis for joint research projects, academic exchange and the development of innovative solutions to current challenges in public management.

Within the University of Bern, the KPM is involved in various inter- and transdisciplinary initiatives, including with the Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID), the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR), the Institute of Information Systems (IWI) and, through the Chair of Regulatory Affairs, with sitem-insel. There are also close collaborations with further institutes and faculties of the University of Bern.

At the national level, the KPM works regularly with partners such as the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), the Centre for Legislative Studies (ZfR) and the Centre for Democracy Studies Aarau (ZDA). These collaborations make it possible to address complex questions at the interface of public administration, politics, law, digitalization and society.

Internationally, the KPM maintains research collaborations and partnerships with universities and research institutions abroad. The exchange of researchers and joint projects foster new perspectives and methods and strengthen the international visibility and reputation of the KPM.

The KPM's network is also reflected in its active involvement in academic networks, expert bodies and research evaluations, as well as in continuous exchange with public administrations at the federal, cantonal and communal level.

Research at the KPM Center for Public Management addresses current challenges facing the state, public administration and politics. It combines perspectives from administrative science, political science, law and economics and currently comprises seven research areas:

• Digitization & Digital Governance – digitalization of public administration, e-government, digital democracy, citizen–state interactions and the digital transformation of organizations and the justice system.
• Energy Economics & Economic Policy – energy policy, electromobility, renewable energies, decarbonization as well as the distributional and welfare effects of energy policy measures.
• Leadership & Human Resources – public sector leadership, strategic human resource management, motivation and performance of public employees, employer attractiveness as well as diversity and inclusion.
• Political Science & Policy Research – political decision-making processes, policy design, policy implementation, policy evaluation, scientific policy advice and policy narratives.
• Legislation & Justice – good legislation, legislative procedures, court organization, judicial management as well as current questions of digital justice.
• Healthcare Regulation & Management – regulation of health technologies, health systems research, evidence-based policy advice and governance in healthcare.
• Strategy, Organization & Change – strategic management of public organizations, public corporate governance, organizational development, organizational change and administrative organization.

Research at the KPM is both basic and applied and contributes to the development of academically grounded solutions to current challenges in the public sector. Our research findings are published in national and international journals in administrative science, political science, law, business administration and economics.

The KPM Center for Public Management publishes research work and studies in its own KPM Journal Series. Current publications, such as analyses of management models in the cantons or of energy policy, are presented on the website and are available to the professional public free of charge. Those interested can also receive regular information about new publications through the newsletter.

The KPM examines how public tasks are defined, designed and steered. Its focus is on public institutions and administrative organizations as well as on their relationships with politics, the economy and society.

Basic research serves above all to develop and refine theoretical approaches in administrative science. At the same time, the KPM carries out applied research and consulting projects on concrete questions arising from public sector practice.

This practical orientation is reflected, for example, in research on:

• digitalization and digital governance in public administration and the justice system
• leadership, human resource management and organizational change in the public sector
• legislation, law-making and court organization
• regulation, management and evidence-based policy advice in healthcare
• energy policy, decarbonization and social sustainability
• policy design, policy evaluation and the implementation of public policies
• strategy, governance and organizational development of public institutions

Depending on the target audience, the resulting findings are shared in different ways, for example through academic publications, conferences, continuing education programs, lectures, media contributions or consulting projects for public institutions.

The KPM offers tailored, academically grounded services for the public sector, state-affiliated enterprises and NGOs. The portfolio includes topic-specific analyses, the conduct of evaluations and support with administrative reforms. Particularly noteworthy is the KPM's experience in areas such as policy evaluation, public corporate governance, change management and inter-municipal cooperation. Interested organizations can contact the KPM Secretariat directly for a non-binding quote.

The Policy Hub is the KPM's interface between administrative science research and political-administrative practice. It offers external clients – in particular authorities, public administrations, NGOs, associations and other organizations – academically grounded policy research, studies, evaluations and consulting. The Hub works on concrete questions from a range of policy fields and translates research findings into a language and logic that can be used in public policy and administration. The Policy Hub provides access to academic expertise, methodologically sound analyses and independent evaluation. Thematically, its work ranges from health, social and education policy through migration and integration to administrative and strategic development.

Vacancies at the KPM are published regularly on the job portal of the University of Bern. The institute regularly looks for qualified staff in research, teaching and administration who wish to strengthen its interdisciplinary team. Alongside academic positions, internships and student assistant posts are also advertised. Those interested can also consult the team directory to see who the current contact persons are.

The KPM Center for Public Management at the University of Bern regularly organizes events that promote exchange between academia, public administration, politics and practice and take up current questions concerning the public sector.

One central format is the KPM guest lecture, which takes place once a year. For this, the KPM invites selected figures from academia, public administration or politics to discuss current topics in public management and to open up new perspectives on state action.

Another important event format is the Swiss Governance Forum, which is likewise organized by the KPM. Since 2017 it has brought together experts from politics, public administration, business and academia. It focuses on current questions of governance, the state's capacity for innovation and the steering of complex societal challenges. The forum serves as a platform for interdisciplinary exchange between research and practice.

To stay informed about our guest lectures, the Swiss Governance Forum and other activities of the KPM Center for Public Management, we recommend subscribing to the KPM newsletter. It is published regularly and brings together the most important news from research, studies, continuing education and events.

In addition, the "News from the KPM" section on the homepage provides an up-to-date overview of events, publications and institutional developments. Our LinkedIn and Instagram profiles also offer ongoing insights into current topics, events and activities of the KPM.