[2] As part of the state treaty, the supporting cantons manage the FHNW with a fourfold performance mandate.

This includes training and further education, application-oriented research and development as well as services for the benefit of third parties.

The FHNW was founded on January 1, 2006, based on a state treaty between the cantons of Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, and Solothurn.

The FHNW offers 29 bachelor's and 17 master's courses in the fields of applied psychology, architecture, construction and geomatics, design and art, life sciences, music, teacher training, social work, technology, and business.

[3] The strategic management body of the FHNW is the Fachhochschule Council, which is elected by the governments of the supporting cantons.