The University of St. Gallen (HSG) is one of the best universities in Europe and is recognised worldwide as one of the top universities for economics. Our dedicated community offers students an inspiring environment that goes far beyond the traditional bachelor's degree or master's degree in economics at universities. The culture at HSG is characterised by mutual support, diversity and commitment, which is also reflected in innovative learning formats, a relaxed living environment and inspiring art and architecture.
We share knowledge and methods with you so that you can develop your skills and impact. One of our recipes for success is cultivating personal exchange among ourselves and supporting student engagement, some of which has a global reach. Whether in clubs and initiatives, events, networks, coaching, mentoring, co-creation spaces or simply in the inviting meeting places on campus – comparing your own perspective with that of your conversation partner or partners enables insights that inspire ideas. This often happens on the HSG campus during spontaneous encounters. This is what makes the HSG spirit so special: campus life at our internationally oriented top university is full of inspiration and exciting encounters.
One example of our diverse range of clubs and societies is UNIVERSA. This initiative brings together committed women at HSG and successfully develops dynamic networks between female students and female experts.
At the University of St.Gallen, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion are essential pillars of our commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility. As a top university in Europe and a leading business university according to rankings, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential in an environment characterised by respect, fairness and diversity.
We are continuously working to create an inclusive university environment by:
Many of our core disciplines have traditionally been male-dominated, and there are still more men than women among our students and faculty. In addition, a large part of our community comes from the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). To build an inclusive, gender-equitable and international university structure and culture, we implement:
Several institutes, centres and academic departments at HSG are actively engaged in research and teaching on gender, diversity and inclusion. They conduct high-quality research and teaching that serves both the university and society. This expertise directly informs our study programmes with future and sustainable study programmes, strengthening our reputation as a top university for business in Europe and a leading international university in Europe.
The DE&I team at HSG offers confidential advice and support to all members of the community. Please contact our DE&I Services for:
Do you have any questions, suggestions or concerns? We are here to listen and are happy to help – please do not hesitate to contact us: diversity@unisg.ch
Whether you are looking for a university bachelor, a university master or a phd university programme, HSG stands for excellent teaching, innovative research and an international outlook. Many of our study programmes are offered in English – ideal if you want to study in Switzerland in English or are specifically looking for study abroad programmes in Switzerland.
Our university embraces diversity: In addition to promoting diversity, equal opportunities and a respectful environment, we are committed to sustainability and social engagement. The HSG community is dedicated to driving sustainability on campus as well as to sharing our expertise on sustainability in several specialized sustainable study programmes and study programmes on a future in sustainability.
As a leading international university in Europe, HSG offers a global network of students, alumni and partner universities. Our community is characterised by openness, mutual support and intercultural exchange. Here you will find space for your personal and professional development – whether you are pursuing a university bachelor, a university master or a study abroad programme in Switzerland.
At HSG, you will experience a unique university culture shaped by social engagement, student initiatives and active participation. Our students are involved in over 140 clubs and projects – from sustainability and entrepreneurship to cultural activities. Become part of a community that shapes the future together.
You can find more testimonials in our YouTube playlist.
Whether you are interested in a university bachelor, a university master or study abroad programmes in Switzerland: The University of St.Gallen offers you a wide range of internationally oriented study programmes and excellent career prospects. The HSG has a well-connected Career Centre that is considered by many to be one of the best in Europe. The HSG is also considered a top university in terms of placement rates, i.e. the percentage of graduates who find employment in highly sought-after companies.
Discover our business university ranking Europe and find out why we are considered a top university Europe that cares about a committed, diverse and future-oriented culture and community.
Discover the opportunities of studying in Switzerland at one of Europe's top universities. Become part of a committed, diverse and future-oriented community at the HSG, whose culture can also make your future a success story.
On the university’s friendly campus with its cutting-edge facilities, everything is on your doorstep and you are certain to come across familiar faces or bump into interesting new people. Serendipity, the art of the chance encounter that helps ideas take flight, found its perfect home in 2022. SQUARE is a meeting place, think tank, events space and innovation lab all rolled into one. Here, students meet up with figures from public life, academic teaching staff and the general public to discuss the burning issues of our times.
At HSG, you will find a range of different formats for knowledge sharing: scheduled teaching and learning events and independent study on campus or online, supported by hybrid learning with digital platforms and apps, plus blended learning formats, where online study of the course content is followed by in-person classroom discussions.
Houses, flats and shared accommodation in the city and close to the campus tend to be good and reasonably priced, and furnished accommodation is available on request. From the park-like campus, you have a view of St.Gallen, which lies in the eastern, German-speaking part of Switzerland, close to the German and Austrian borders, between the Alps and Lake Constance. The city’s population of around 80,000 includes a relatively high percentage of young people. It has a historic Old Town with attractive narrow streets and plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. You will find a wide choice of cultural and outdoor leisure activities.
Zurich Airport is only around an hour’s drive away. Switzerland is generally seen as a very safe country, enjoys very high political stability thanks to its direct democracy and has one of the highest standards of living in Europe. By international standards, however, the cost of living is moderate. The popular Facebook group «Sharing Is Caring University of St.Gallen» can help you with your search for accommodation.
The University of St.Gallen’s exceptiona art collection, which would be a credit to any museum, is a source of inspiration. The concrete walls, designed by architects Walter M. Förderer and Bruno Gerosa, showcase works by Arp, Penalba, Richter, Miró and Giacometti. Among these artworks, the majority of which were donated by benefactors, you will find one that achieved the highest ever price increase in the art market – it is currently rumoured to be worth tens of millions of Swiss francs.
Language is the most important means of exchanging ideas – so it makes sense that, at a university like HSG which focuses so strongly on academic exchange, a range of different languages are cultivated and spoken. The predominant languages on campus, more or less sharing an equal footing, are Swiss German in all its variety of dialects, German and English. However, since our 9,879 students with around 120 nationalities bring a lot of diversity to the campus, you will find many other languages spoken here too.
German is the language of officialdom and culture, English the language of business and academia. Many programmes are delivered in a combination of languages and many only in German or only in English. The aim is to operate as a bilingual (German/English) university. Each student is required to be proficient in at least two foreign languages, and courses in a choice of 10 different languages are available at HSG.
