GSM Terms and Conditions

• Participation in the GSM programme is at the student's discretion and is not required for completing an HSG Master's degree.
• Only students who successfully pass all stages of the selection process will be admitted by the GSM Office to the GSM programme.
• The GSM can be combined with most HSG Master programmes.
• Accepted candidates have to spend one term abroad.
• A term abroad in the first semester of your Master level studies is not possible (a semester on leave does not count as first semester).
• When participating in a double degree programme, at least 60 ECTS of your Master level studies must be acquired at the University of St.Gallen.
• All admission conditions must be successfully completed as stated in the HSG compensation rules for admission conditions including official notification of results by the time the first GSM semester begins.
• Participation in the GSM programme does not incur any additional tuition fees as long as you are regularly enrolled in an HSG Master's degree programme (some local fees during your term abroad my apply).
• Coursework completed at the host university may be credited towards HSG Master degree studies, if approved by the HSG Admissions and Crediting Office.
• Students participating in the GSM programme will generally need at least five semesters to complete their HSG Master's degree.
• A term abroad beginning between 1 July and 31 December is considered as an absence in the autumn semester.
• A term abroad beginning between 1 January and 30 June is considered as an absence in the spring semester.
• Simultaneous applications during the same selection period to more than one programme (partner university exchange, CEMS, GSM, Themis, any double degrees programme, Freemover and Swiss Mobility) for the same semester and academic year are not permitted.
• Students accepted for partner university exchange or to CEMS, GSM or a double degree programme may not apply to any other of these programmes during the same selection period.
• Students not accepted to GSM or a double degree programme may apply for partner university exchange, CEMS, Freemover, Themis or Swiss Mobility, provided they meet the respective application deadline.
• Students cancelling an allocated place are not permitted to apply to any other programme.

Requirements for beginning the GSM programme

• Students must have successfully completed their Bachelor degree requirements and must be enrolled in one of the HSG Master programmes at the time of application.
• The HSG Master's degree may not be received before the official start of the GSM programme.
• All admission conditions must be successfully completed as stated in the HSG compensation rules for admission conditions including official notification of results by the time the first GSM semester begins. (Exception: MIA fundamentals Master courses, bookkeeping examination and forgein language requirements)

Special needs - students with disability or a chronic illness

If you have a disability or a chronic illness, you may face particular challenges during the course of your studies. For your GSM studies to be as successful as possible, a number of aspects require organisation, reflection and special requests in advance. To be able to provide you with the best possible assistance in finding a university that can support your needs, it is indispensable that you contact the HSG GSM Office well in advance before applying for the GSM programme. If you are a student with special needs and you have applied for the SEMP scholarship by the deadline, you can apply for additional SEMP special needs funds. For more information please write an e-mail to: gsm@unisg.ch

Cancellation policy

Cancellation of participation in the GSM programme whether before or during the programme or as a result of failed courses (including failed or incomplete admission conditions) is subject to a cancellation fee of CHF 500.00 according to the HSG fee regulations/HSG Leagal Foundation. Please note that by withdrawing from the programme you also withdraw from your allocated place for the term abroad. The place is then forfeited and cannot be transferred to another student. Students withdrawing from the GSM programme (also during the selection process, i.e. as soon as an invitation to the interview has been received) are not eligible to apply to any further exchange programmes on Master level (partner university exchange, CEMS, GSM Freemover, Swiss Mobility, Themis and double degree programmes). The cancellation policy also applies if the exchange place is cancelled due to internships, employment, military service/civil protection, holidays, admission to another university, insufficient grade average or failed/incomplete HSG academic requirements as stipulated by the exchange programme conditions.

If the term abroad cannot be taken up due to force majeure (political unrest, environmental catastrophes, long-term illness, accidents, etc.), no cancellation fee will be charged. In such cases the place will be forfeited. The University of St.Gallen will not be obliged, but will try to offer an alternative option. It is the student’s own responsibility to decide wheather to withdraw from an allocated place in a country threatened with earthquakes, war or other hazards.

Consult the travel and health advisories of the Foreign Affairs Department regarding your host country on www.eda.admin.ch, Travel Admin App and www.bag.admin.ch (security precautions, vaccinations, etc.).