The Open Area provides space for attractive and relevant courses that, because of their thematic or methodological focus, do not fit into one of the areas of concentration. It expands the range of options in the Contextual Studies program and offers the opportunity to test innovative course formats and interdisciplinary perspectives. The Open Area can thus serve as a field of experimentation for new impulses in the spaces between or at the margins of the areas of concentration, or for the academic consolidation of practical skills. At the same time, it offers students the opportunity to pursue special interests or to engage with topics of transformation. With this flexibility, the Open Area ensures that contextual studies can continue to respond adequately to the changing needs of students, academia, and the economy.
While the course offerings within the areas of concentration connect reflective and practical competences and are thematically bundled, the courses within Skills and Languages focus entirely on building up practical skills and are not grouped around a specific topic. At the bachelor's level, both skills courses and language courses are offered, while at the master's level only skills courses are offered.
Academic and professional success relies on capabilities, competencies and practical skills, which is why they form an essential part of academic training at HSG. We offer a range of courses in Skills that consistently focus on conveying and supporting practical competencies. This includes especially courses dedicated to digital literacy (acquisition of programming languages, handling AI and so on), but also courses covering rhetorical techniques, writing and negotiating skills, time management, methodological foundations of research, and other practical skills.
In light of the internationalisation of the academic world, growing student mobility, and the globalisation of the labour market, the University of St. Gallen consistently emphasises multilingualism. This is why all our students must demonstrate proficiency in at least two foreign languages as part of their academic achievements. Contextual Studies offers courses in the Skills and Languages area and examinations that are recognised as language proficiency tests in ten languages. Foreign languages are integral to the curriculum at the bachelor's level (including the Assessment Year). At the master's level, language proficiency is only required as part of admission requirements.
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