At its meeting on 22 June 2026, the University Council approved measures to stabilise student numbers, which are linked to the Cantonal Council’s decision to limit state funding to 9,500 students. These measures concern the assessment year and business administration programmes at Master’s level.
The background to these measures is the fact that HSG has grown steadily in recent years. This growth must now be curbed. The adjustments are also being made to strengthen the quality and profile of the programmes concerned.
The selection procedures apply equally to all applicants. Regardless of the procedure, the proportion of international students at HSG continues to be regulated by the 25 per cent quota that has been in place for several years. This is not the subject of the current adjustments.
The following measures have been decided upon:
- Assessment year
The maximum number of negative credit points (M-NCP) permitted for passing the assessment year is being reduced from the current 12 to 8. The limit of 4 M-NCP in the contextual studies module, as well as the other pass requirements, remain unchanged.
The measure will take effect on 1 August 2026 and applies to students who commence or repeat the assessment year starting in the autumn semester of 2026, and onwards.
- Master’s programmes in Business Administration to include a selection process
Admission to the Master’s programmes in Accounting and Corporate Finance (MACFin), Business Innovation (MBI) and Marketing Management (MiMM) will be subject to a selection process for all prospective students. The respective admissions committee will assess applications on the basis of programme-specific criteria.
Admission to the Master’s programme in General Management (MGM) will also be subject to a qualification process (“MGM Qualification Module”) in future. This also ensures for the MGM that the profile of admitted students matches the requirements of the programme.
These measures will take effect on 1 August 2026 and will apply to student admissions for the autumn semester of 2027.
At the start of the autumn semester of 2026, a general information session for students will take place on 15 September 2026.
