What does the everyday working life of a mechanical engineering technician with an HF diploma look like?

Mechanical engineering technicians HF (formerly technicians HF specializing in mechanical engineering) work in the areas of planning, design, production, manufacturing and assembly in mechanical, apparatus and plant engineering companies. They design and calculate new products according to the client's requirements or regularly check existing products for potential improvements and make adjustments.

They work with computer programs such as CAD and simulation tools to calculate, draw plans and create production documents. Prototypes are then used to test and optimize correct functioning and compliance with all specifications. Mechanical engineering technicians who work in the field of production assemble machines and simpler systems, program them and put them into operation. Their tasks may also include instructing operating personnel or working with sales, distribution or technical customer service as technical support.

(Remember: in individual cases, the distribution/weighting/frequency of tasks may vary depending on the function/job profile and the company, company size and sector).

Target group and skills: Who is the HF Mechanical Engineering degree program for Mechanical Engineering Technician HF suitable for?

The mechanical engineering course at a higher technical college to become a mechanical engineering technician HF (formerly technician HF mechanical engineering) is suitable for

• Professionals with a technical/trade occupation who would like to continue their education and expand their skills in the construction and design of machines
• Ambitious professionals from the mechanical engineering industry who aspire to a management position or specialist management tasks
• People with a technical/trade EFZ (Federal Certificate of Competence) who want to develop in mechanical engineering and expand their knowledge and skills in this area and thus also improve their career opportunities
• People with professional experience in the mechanical engineering industry who would like to increase their professional attractiveness and thus also their salary opportunities with an HF diploma

Mechanical Engineering Technicians HF should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Technical understanding
• Sense of responsibility
• Independent and reliable way of working
• analytical and conceptual skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Planning skills
• Leadership and organizational talent
• Customer and service orientation

Requirements for admission to the HF Mechanical Engineering degree program:

Each university of applied sciences decides independently on the admission procedure for mechanical engineering studies. They regulate this in their study regulations, taking into account the relevant legal basis. There may therefore be differences between the universities of applied sciences (HF).*

In order to be able to start a mechanical engineering course to become a mechanical engineering technician HF (formerly technician HF mechanical engineering) at a higher technical college (HF), you must generally meet the following admission requirements:

• Completion of relevant basic vocational training with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) **

Or

• Completion of a three-year basic vocational training (EFZ) in another field and relevant professional experience (usually at least 1 year) in the technical/trade field

Or

• Completion of a high school diploma or technical secondary school as well as relevant professional experience (usually at least 1 year) in the technical/trade sector

Further conditions:

• Many schools require at least 50% employment in the technical/trade sector during the part-time HF Mechanical Engineering course.
• In addition, depending on the school, an entrance examination and/or attendance of a preliminary course, for example in mathematics, may be required.

Note: In some cases, it is possible to have educational achievements already completed credited. Please contact the provider of your choice directly.

* The courses offered by the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula developed jointly by education providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). If the PET colleges adhere to existing framework curricula in the detailed design of their courses, their PET courses are federally recognized and lead to a protected title.

** A list of the relevant EFZs can be found in theFramework curriculumfor mechanical engineering technicians HF.

Subject matter and content of the training

In principle, the course content of the HF Mechanical Engineering course for Mechanical Engineering Technicians HF is based on the "Mechanical Engineering HF" framework curriculum. The sponsors are Swissmem, Swissmechanic, SVFB Schweizerischer Verband Flugtechnischer Betriebe, as organizations of the working world, and the Konferenz der Höheren Fachschulen Technik KHF-T as a representative of the training providers. They are responsible for drawing up the framework curriculum and periodically reviewing it to ensure that it is up to date and of high quality.

Nevertheless, the universities of applied sciences have a certain amount of leeway in the design of their courses for future mechanical engineering technicians HF (formerly technicians HF mechanical engineering). Which course content is ultimately covered and how it is structured can therefore vary from college to college. The PET colleges can also offer specializations, for example.*

As a rule, the following topics are covered in mechanical engineering studies, further education and training at higher technical college level:

• Mathematics, Statistics
• Physics
• Computer science
• Communication, Marketing
• Business Administration (BWL)
• Finance and accounting
• Law
• Personnel management, corporate management (leadership)
• Mechanics
• Electrical engineering
• Skills theory
• Machine safety, machine elements
• Industry 4.0
• Design theory
• Quality management
• Project management
• Production planning and control
• Maintenance

*Such a specialization may focus on a maximum of 10% of the total learning hours. The protected title "Dipl. Maschinenbautechniker HF / dipl. Maschinenbautechnikerin HF" remains unchanged.

Costs and financing of further training

The costs vary depending on the provider, training location and training model. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 6-semester HF mechanical engineering course:

• Tuition fees:The semester fee depends on the school and your canton of residence. You can expect to pay between CHF 16,600 and CHF 24,300 for students resident in the canton of training*. The costs for the examinations and diploma thesis are usually included in the course fees.
• Additional costs:Some providers charge extra costs for the enrolment fee and student card, preliminary courses (optional), teaching materials, special software, licenses, laboratory exercises, practicals, training documents, examination/diploma thesis and examination retakes. Find out about the additional costs directly from the HF of your choice.
• Acquisition of additional qualifications:For additional qualifications such as an internationally recognized English certificate, you will have to expect extra costs for the preparation and external examination.

* Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported by the cantons. Students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees. The following conditions apply in order to receive cantonal funding:

• at least two years of residence in the canton
• The course is listed on the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) list of eligible courses (you will find the link to the list in the answer texts).

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• Duration of study:The HF Mechanical Engineering degree course to become a qualified mechanical engineering technician HF (formerly HF mechanical engineering technician) has a modular structure and lasts 6 semesters (part-time) (full-time: 4 semesters)*.
• Number of lessons:With a relevant EFZ, the course comprises 3600 learning hours. For courses without a relevant EFZ, the number of learning hours generally increases to 5400 learning hours, please contact the school of your choice. The professional activity (practice in a relevant occupation) during the part-time mechanical engineering HF course is credited with a maximum of 720 hours (with a relevant EFZ) or a maximum of 1800 hours (without a relevant EFZ) towards the training period. The practical training (internships in a practice-oriented or real field of work accompanied by specialists) in full-time studies amounts to at least 720 hours (with relevant EFZ) or at least 1800 hours (without relevant EFZ). Learning hours also include contact studies (with qualified supervision), guided self-study, individual self-study and qualification procedures (e.g. semester examinations, intermediate examinations, diploma examinations, diploma theses or assessed semester theses). How these learning hours are divided up in terms of time is defined in the framework curriculum.
• Training models:The course is offered part-time and full-time. Classes take place two evenings a week, for example, or on a full weekday or on Saturdays. This can vary from HF to HF.
• Teaching format:Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning).
• Learning effort:You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up on the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week for the part-time model.

* At some schools, professionals with a technical vocational baccalaureate can benefit from a shortened course of study. Please contact the school of your choice directly.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons"/"trial lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. Take the opportunity and contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title

The degree course in Mechanical Engineering Technician HF (formerly Technician HF Mechanical Engineering) generally concludes with a practice-oriented diploma thesis and oral or written examinations. The details of the implementation are regulated by the respective HF in its study regulations. The final qualification procedure is often as follows:

1. The results of the previous semester examinations and/or assessed semester papers
2. Diploma thesis: The diploma thesis is practice-oriented; candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and networked thinking. The thesis is written individually on a topic relevant to mechanical engineering. It is written at the end of the course (can also be integrated into the 5th or 6th semester). Here too, the time frame is determined by the respective HF in its study regulations.
3. The thesis will also be presented to a group of experts (expert panel) and then defended in a discussion.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the course receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Dipl. Maschinenbautechnikerin / dipl. Maschinenbautechniker HF".

In French: "Technicienne diplômée ES en génie mécanique / Technicien diplômé ES en génie mécanique"

In Italian: "Tecnica dipl. SSS in costruziono meccahniche / Technico dipl. SSS in costruioni maccaniche"

In English (recommendation, but not a protected title): "Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Mechanical Engineering"