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Assessment Year in Economics, Law and International Affairs

The Assessment Year is the first year of undergraduate studies at the University of St.Gallen. Over two semesters, you will acquire fundamental knowledge of economics, law and political science, laying the foundation for your future academic career.

The Assessment Year is the central orientation and qualification year of your bachelor's degree programme. Over the course of two semesters, you will not only acquire a solid foundation in business administration, economics, law and political science, but also develop academic skills, critical thinking and scientific working methods. Through a combination of core studies and contextual studies and a variety of examination formats, you will experience the university as a challenging and stimulating learning environment right from the start.

Special conditions apply to the Bachelor in Computer Science (including Assessment Year) with regard to admission requirements and course structure. Please contact them directly if you have any further questions.

In the Assessment Year at the University of St.Gallen, you can choose between two study languages:

  • German track: in economics, law or international affairs
  • English track: in economics or international affairs

To successfully complete your studies, we recommend language skills at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the chosen track language. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they have sufficient language skills.

A free language test is available for the English track. Please select the ‘Oxford English Placement Test’ on the language services website to request access.

The Assessment Year, which forms part of your Bachelor's programme, begins in the autumn semester (calendar week 38). Admission requires either a Swiss Matura or a recognised international secondary school leaving certificate. 

Admission to the Bachelor's programme

Foreign applicants with a recognised international educational certificate can only be admitted through the HSG selection procedure.

HSG selection procedure

In addition to the formal entry requirements for studying at the University of St.Gallen, we recommend that admitted students complete the online Onboarding Mathematics course at www.e-maths.ch in preparation for the mathematics lectures. Students will receive an activation code after enrolment.

After successfully completing the Assessment Year, you can enrol in the following Bachelor's degree programmes, regardless of your chosen language track:

  • Economics specialisation: Business Administration (BWL), Economics (VWL), Law with Economics (BLE)
  • Law specialisation: Law (BLaw)
  • Political science specialisation: International Affairs (BIA)
  • Computer science specialisation: Computer Science (BCS) is only possible upon completion of the Assessment Year for the Bachelor's degree in Computer Science.

It is possible to change your field of study, but this requires you to make up for individual courses. However, please note the respective admission requirements for the individual bachelor majors.

Important note:
If you do not passed the Assessment Year, you can only repeat it once and in its entirety. Credits cannot be transferred, with the exception of the accountancy examination.

About the Bachelor's majors

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