Economics @ University of St.Gallen

Must innovation and globalization always raise inequality? How can public policy reduce poverty and make growth more inclusive? What are the policy priorities to preserve a clean environment and sustain the future quality of life? How can governments and central banks reduce economic fluctuations? Can we avoid financial crisis? How do digitization and big data transform firms and society? The study programs in economics teach the latest insights from modern economic theory and empirical methods to provide the answers. Endowed with these tools, economics graduates start ambitious careers in public policy, science, consulting and management of private sector firms.

The economics faculty at the University of St. Gallen provides top-level research and teaching in Micro- and Macroeconomics, Econometrics and Statistics. It covers the major fields in economics such as International Trade, Labour and Development Economics, Public and Political Economics as well as Financial Economics, Industrial Organization and Managerial Economics. The Bachelor’s level trains the essential tools of economics with many applications. The Master’s programs offer advanced training to do rigorous independent research and become an expert in one of the specialization areas.

This page serves as an information platform to illustrate how economics training helps students launch successful careers, and how they can contribute to solving challenging social, economic and business problems. It informs about study programs, alumni careers, news from the faculty and many other initiatives.

Interviews with the Faculty

HSG Faculty

	Can globalization be inclusive? (Dec. 2018) Marc Muendler, Professor of Economics and an expert in International Economics, just arrived from the University of California, San Diego, and has big ideas for HSG’s Global Economy Center, which he considers joining. Must trade and innovation always create inequality? Is inclusive globalization possible? What is on offer for Economics students at HSG? Read more.
	"The degree of personal freedom and responsibility is unique!" (Oct. 2018) Contextual Studies are an integral part of the curriculum and a unique feature of the HSG degree programmes. However, curricula are crowded and students overworked. So, what is the value added? How can economists benefit? Are Contextual Studies translating into better careers? Caspar Hirschi, Professor of History and Academic Director of Contextual Studies at the HSG, answers the questions. Read more.
	Macro Effort, Macro Insight, Macro Fun (May 2018) Winfried Koeniger is the academic director of the economics program at the bachelor level, is a professor of macroeconomics at HSG, was an Associate Professor at Queen Mary University of London, and holds a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence. The student representatives have chosen Winfried Koeniger amongst the nominees for the SEPS Excellence in Teaching Award 2018. Are macroeconomists good crisis managers? What is his own research about? Why is a HSG bachelor degree such a good ‘door opener’ for students? Read more.
	Economics for the Digital Age (March 2018) Christian Keuschnigg is a Professor of Economics, specialized in Public Economics, and academic director of MEcon and MiQEF. Simon Handreke, student representative in the Econ Department, has some questions: What are the highlights of the new Master reform? What does “Economics for the Digital Age” mean? Why is it such a good idea to study economics at HSG? What are his priorities for research and teaching? Read more.
	From LSE to HSG (March 2018) Frank Pisch with a fresh PhD degree from the London School of Economics, joins the Econ faculty as an assistant professor and is part of the Global Economy Center at HSG. What are his research and teaching plans? What does he expect from HSG students and colleagues in the Econ faculty? Read more.
	On Track for Tenure (Nov. 2017) Beatrix Eugster is a tenure track Assistant Professor of Economics and co-director of the University’s Center for Disability and Integration. She explains the secrets of her time management for success on multiple fronts, researcher, teacher, policy analyst and mother of two kids. Read more.
	The Master of Big Data (Oct. 2017) Michael Lechner is Professor of Econometrics, President of the University’s Research Commission and initiator of GSERM, the Global School of Empirical Research Methods. He is influential in the big data debate at HSG. How should big data be reflected in the economics curriculum? What should students learn to be better prepared for the digital economy? What are the priorities of the HSG research policy? Read more.
	The New Boss (Oct. 2017) Reto Foellmi is the new pro dean of the economics department of SEPS. He is Professor of International Economics and teaches macroeconomics as well. He answers some tough questions to Econ@HSG. What does leadership mean? Where is the Econ department heading? Read more.

Video Gallery

	Eugenia talks about her experience in the Bachelor of Economics. She especially liked the flexible selection of courses. Besides the core subjects, the programme focusses on issues of future relevance. Eugenia has attended courses in data science and data analysis. This provides her with a more profound understanding of the digital environment. Have a look at the video.
	Zora has opted for the Master’s programme in Economics (MEcon) to ensure that she is not only able to extend her knowledge of economics but to profit from a wide range of courses from other programmes. To counterbalance learning new subject-matter in the Library, she plays the violin in the orchestra of the University of St.Gallen, one of more than 100 associations at the HSG. Have a look at the video.
	Livia is studying for a Master’s degree in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F). She especially likes the quantitative methods in MiQE/F and the fact that the newly acquired knowledge can be directly applied in practice. To counterbalance the demands of the MiQE/F, she does a lot of sport, for instance as a BodyPump instructor with Unisport. Have a look at the video.
	Dr. Josef Ackermann, HSG economics Alumnus and former CEO of Deutsche Bank explains why he decided to study economics. Have a look at the video (in German).
	HSG Economics Alumni Dr. Rebekka Grun, who is now working as an economist at the World Bank in Washington D.C, gave a key note a the Career Day for Economists. In her talk, Rebekka Grun explained how the "Social Safety Net programme" in Cameroon works. The programme was designed to support economic growth in the community and thereby in the entire country. It builds on insurance, investment and growth. Learn more.
	HSG Next Generation: Sustainable transfer of knowledge The project encourages young scientific talents to inform decision-makers and the public about new scientific discoveries. Students summarise the key findings from selected publications in leading scientific journals. These empirical and theoretical principles find their way into politics and business in a clear and well edited, abridged form, where they are also used as decision-making tools. Read the latest contributions (in German) Have a look at the video about the project (in German)