This optional programme supports around 120 students as they begin their studies at HSG. Students will acquire the knowledge and practical tools necessary for a successful and sustainable learning and development process in their first year. There is a separate registration procedure for this course.
Introductory course in mathematics and digital onboarding
This voluntary introductory course in mathematics provides the necessary background knowledge for the programme, meeting for two hours per week. Taking place in the autumn semester, it supplements the online course ‘Onboarding Mathematics’ and helps to fill any knowledge gaps. The course is tailored to the lecture and can be attended for specific topics. Registration is not required.
Mathematics tutorial
The mathematics tutorial is a supervised, voluntary exercise session that takes place every two weeks. Students have access to a room for self-study with their fellow students. The sessions are supervised by assistants from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, who can answer questions and solve problems. However, no lessons are held. Current dates can be found on the learning platform in your Mathematics A/B course room.
For students who did not complete their Matura/Abitur in German, the University of St.Gallen offers self-study tutorials in accompanied self-study groups to help them achieve the learning objectives of the ‘Law I lecture’. In small groups, the material is covered at a reduced pace, taking linguistic difficulties into account. Participants can ask questions to clarify their understanding and receive support in the form of appropriate course material.
The course runs in the spring semester and can be selected as part of the bidding process.
For students who start at the University of St.Gallen without any prior knowledge of one of the languages of instruction, German or English, special intensive courses are offered. These courses provide particularly intensive training in the respective language of instruction and at the same time prepare students for the required language certificate in the assessment year. The intensive courses take place as block seminars during the lecture-free period – usually before the start of StartWeek.
We particularly recommend that foreign-language students take part in an intensive course in the respective language of instruction. These courses deepen students' knowledge of German or English, thereby increasing their chances of successfully completing the assessment year. The lessons cover the classic areas of language teaching for non-native speakers and also address the specific thematic requirements of the University of St.Gallen in the fields of economics, law, politics and social sciences.
The conversation courses offer you the unique opportunity to develop your intercultural communication skills. Together with other students, and under the guidance of a native speaker, you can learn or deepen your knowledge of your chosen language in a relaxed atmosphere, free from the pressure of grades and standardised textbook texts. The conversation courses are offered by the Language Services as part of the optional programme at the University of St.Gallen.
