The SIM curriculum unites the best of both worlds. It combines the research-based, academic rigour of a Master of Arts with the interactive nature and practice-oriented approach present in leading MBA programmes. It reflects the confidence we have in our students' abilities and potential.
The SIM recognises the importance of well-rounded managers above and beyond management theory. Soft skills are integrated into the SIM programme in order to develop managers’ intellectual flexibility and intercultural qualifications. Hard skills are adapted and perfected through international work projects and exclusive training workshops. Additionally, our international faculty reflects the balance between academic rigour and managerial relevance that will empower SIM students throughout their future careers.
Students must successfully complete a course load of 90 ECTS, including a master's thesis and an international internship to graduate with a M.A. HSG in Strategy and International Management.
Students need to fulfill the following requirements:
Duration: 1.5 years / 3 semesters (full-time)
Credits: 90 ECTS
The small class size allows us to use diverse learning methods to help you acquire knowledge and develop the skills you need to become a successful business manager and leader.
Depending on the nature of the course, field trips to different companies may be organized. Several business experts from leading corporations visit classes to share their experiences and insights.
Students have the opportunity to attend various company presentations and workshops. The SIM also offers seminars and workshops in collaboration with fellow HSG programmes, SIM corporate partners, the Career & Corporate Services, and the alumni network.
Students are required to undertake an intensive individual research in the form of a Masters' Thesis on the topic of their choice, subject to approval from the faculty. In this era of information, business leaders need to be able to collect, analyse and interpret data to make better decisions.
Student assessments are partly individual and partly group-based. The individual element may include formal exams, case write-ups, evaluation of academic articles, take-home exams and so on. Group elements may include group presentations and group papers. Exams are either central or decentral. Central examinations take place on pre-determined dates outside of the semester while decentral exams take place during scheduled lecture times during the semester.
The compulsory integrative week "SIM Start Professional" takes place at the beginning of September (calendar week 36), before the start of the programme in calendar week 38.
The management-related topics dealt with in the individual seminars will prepare you for your studies in Strategy and International Management.
The SIM Core Courses build on your bachelor's level classes and provide a thorough grounding in business and general management. You will develop core knowledge and skills, and also learn to establish interconnection between various aspects of management.
The SIM Core Courses (20 ECTS) are compulsory and should all be taken in the first year of the SIM programme. It is not possible to waive or substitute these courses with other courses taken either at the University of St.Gallen or at another university during an exchange semester.
Course | ECTS | Term |
4 | Autumn | |
4 | Autumn | |
4 | Autumn | |
4 | Autumn | |
4 | Spring |
The SIM Core Electives consist of Integratives and Advanced Management Courses. Integratives are taught in the autumn and spring semesters, Advanced Management Courses take place in the spring semester.
These courses provide students with specialized knowledge in different areas of interest. Students are required to take two SIM Integratives.
| Course | ECTS | Term |
| Mergers & Acquisitions | 4 | Autumn |
| Alliance & Network Strategy | 4 | Spring |
| Business Model Innovation | 4 | Spring |
| Digital Business and Transformation | 4 | Spring |
| Strategic Entrepreneurship | 4 | Spring |
SIM students must choose one of the Advanced Management Courses, these courses deepen and advance your knowledge in the functional areas of management.
| Course | ECTS | Term |
| Strategic Marketing | 4 | Spring |
| Strategy for Sustainability | 4 | Spring |
SIM in Practice is an essential curricular pillar that complements theoretical knowledge learned in class with practical experience in the real world.
The SIMagination Challenge is a core course of the Master of Arts in Strategy and International Management (SIM) and intends to enable the participants to develop key leadership qualities, competencies and skills. Students are required to independently plan, execute and reflect upon a challenging international project which aims at leaving a positive and sustainable social impact in our society. More information on the concept and the international initiatives can be found on the SIMagination Challenge website.
A SIM International Project (short: SIM-IP) is a mandatory international internship. This requirement allows our students to equip themselves with necessary skills and experience to manage complex problems in international settings prior to graduation. The SIM students independently plan, initiate and successfully conduct the internship. Upon completion, the student needs to reflect upon the project on the basis of completed SIM coursework.
Electives are courses from other master's programmes of the University of St.Gallen that are available to you in order to complement your core studies with further business courses.
You will find a detailed course catalogue of the current and past semesters in our course directory under "Programmes", "Master" and "Master of Arts in Strategy and International Management".
Contextual Studies are a unique and distinguishing feature of the course architecture at the University of St.Gallen. They convey insights and competences that make a difference in the economy, the society and the politics of the twenty-first century.
The areas of concentration bundle together course offerings from the Humanities and Social Sciences with a clear reference to themes from the core subjects, connecting elements of theory and practice. The following areas of concentration are offered: History, Society, Creativity, Cultures, Media, Law, Technologies, Responsibility – and a so-called Open Area. You have three possible ways of taking areas of concentration in the framework of Contextual Studies. Firstly, you may freely select from the entire course offerings; secondly, you may place a thematic focus in one of the areas of concentration by choosing all courses from one area; or thirdly, you may complete this thematic focus by means of an interdisciplinary workshop.
With regard to success in both studies and careers, practical capabilities, competences or skills form an essential part of academic training. This is why Contextual Studies also offer a range of courses in Skills, consistently focused on conveying and supporting practical competences. This is where course offerings in digital literacy in particular belong (acquiring programming languages and so on), but also courses on rhetorical techniques, writing skills, the management of negotiations, time management, the methodological foundations of research, and other practically orientated capabilities.
You will find a detailed course catalogue of the current and past semesters in our course directory under "Programmes", "Master" and "Master of Arts in Strategy and International Management".
The University of St.Gallen partners with over 200 universities around the world to offer a vast range of outstanding double degree and exchange opportunities.
INCAE Business School, Costa Rica
Nanyang Business School, Singapore
ESADE, Spain
RSM Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands
HEC Paris, France
FGV-EAESP, Brazil
CEMS, International
In addition to exchange opportunities at the official partner universities, you may arrange a free-mover exchange at other recognised universities.
For more detailed information, check our Study Abroad webpage.
Here you will find a summary of the most important legal provisions in the Master’s degree programme.
