1,900 new students at the University of St.Gallen: Kick-off with case study, teamwork and media presence

During the University of St.Gallen's StartWeek from 8 to 12 September 2025, around 1,900 new students will begin their first semester – one week before the regular start of the academic year. Divided into 72 groups, they will not only get to know HSG during this week, but also their new fellow students, the city of St.Gallen and the routines of everyday student life. The aim is to provide orientation and facilitate their entry into HSG.

Students work on case study on polarisation

The focus of the week is on working on a case study on the topic of polarisation. In groups, the students develop creative solutions, which they present in the form of 90-second pitches and short videos. They receive input from HSG experts such as political scientist Christoph Frei, USA expert Claudia Brühwiler, philosopher Michael G. Festl and former top diplomat and HSG honorary professor Christoph Heusgen.

‘The case study gives students the opportunity to experience HSG's working methods right from the start: interdisciplinary, practical and with a focus on socially relevant issues,’ explains Miriam Mrisi, head of StartWeek and the assessment year.

At the end, six selected groups will have the opportunity to present their work in the Olma halls to all StartWeek participants and a jury. They will also receive training in advance for these pitches from communications professional Michael Berndonner. The jury includes Nora Kronig, Director of the Swiss Red Cross (SRK).

Making the energy of the week visible

StartWeek is accompanied by a media team of 15 students from higher semesters. They produce content for their own Instagram channel and report daily on the highlights of this special week. In cooperation with TVO, television reports are also produced every evening in the TVO news. ‘We want to make the energy of this week visible – not only for the students themselves, but also for the St. Gallen public,’ says Mrisi.

In addition to academic work, StartWeek offers numerous opportunities to network and get to know the HSG community. Tutors from higher semesters support the groups and provide insights into student life: this includes various administrative topics related to studying, but also getting to know St. Gallen and fellow students.

For example, a barbecue evening organised by the HSG student union is a fixed highlight. ‘StartWeek is more than just an introductory event. It creates a sense of community and lays the academic, administrative and social foundation for the next few years at the university,’ says Mrisi.

1,000 new students at higher levels at the HSG Kick-off Days

As part of the English-language Kick-off Days, HSG also welcomes over 1,000 new students at Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral level. The introductory programme gives new arrivals from 48 nations an insight into the organisational processes and all study-related departments at the University of St.Gallen. Here, too, there are various workshops and guided tours.

On 12 September 2025, the interdisciplinary academic programme will take place, focusing on the topic of ‘Experiential Learning, Embodied Cognition and the Hidden Curriculum’. Students will discover various facets of situated, implicit and intuitive learning and experience concrete scenarios and initiatives at HSG that embody these approaches.

The focus will also be on student engagement, which will be made visible, promoted and actively integrated into the design of the programme.