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Frequently Asked Questions
To help you quickly find answers to your most common questions, we collected the most frequently asked questions and provided the most applicable answers below.
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Why HSG?HSG is considered to be among the world’s leading business schools, being accredited by EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA. With its diverse programmes, HSG has continuously been ranked high by the Financial Times, even offering the top-ranked master’s in management. Moreover, due to the comparably small size of the town and the university, the interaction between students and the activity of student associations on the campus is very high!
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Why St. Gallen?St. Gallen is a cute little town with a beautiful historic center and vibrant student community. The town charm and convenience, with all essentials easily reachable by foot. It offers beautiful nature, tourist attractions (a UNESCO World Heritage site) as well as a myriad of bars, restaurants, and local stores. Due to the well-established public transportation system, you can easily reach the entirety of Switzerland in a few hours!
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When are the CEMS terms at HSG?Term 1: mid September - mid December Term 2: mid February - end of may
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What are the living expenses in St. Gallen?Average cost of rent without utilities – 550 CHF Average monthly cost of groceries – 300 CHF Transportation pass – 120-180 CHF depending on age (half-fare card; half-price travel throughout CH). Insurance – 90-280 CHF per month (depending on your age and personal needs).
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How do I get around in St. Gallen and Switzerland?You can reach everything by bus, tram or walking when living in SG. If you decide to use the buses & trams, you can download the following app: Mobile SBB. There you'll find info on the route & price from point A to B. If you're traveling around Switzerland during your term at HSG, it's a good idea to get the half fare card. Even after just a few rides, it proves to be a cost-effective choice. The transportation pass is between 120-180CHF depending on age (half-fare card; half- price travel throughout CH). For more information on the half-fare card, click on the link below.
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What are the VISA requirements in Switzerland?Information about regulations regarding visa and residence permits can be found by clicking on the button below. After your acceptance to HSG, the CEMS Office will provide you with more information on the visa process.
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How can I find accommodation in St. Gallen?The HSG does not offer on-campus housing. To find off campus housing, students can choose between two possible approaches: 1) Housing Office: The Housing Office at HSG provides off-campus accommodation for guest students. For details regarding costs, terms and conditions please see the housing information on the Housing Office website. To apply for housing, students must complete the housing application and submit all required documents. Students may of course contact the housing managers for any assistance before their arrival or during their stay. 2) Finding Housing on Your Own (local student's choice): If you choose to find your own housing, allow enough time for your search. The negotiation of your rental contract is your own responsibility. Luckily, due to many students living in SG, apartment turnover is high, making the search for a room in a shared apartment notably more accessible compared to many other cities. The easiest way to find housing on your own is to join the "Sharing is Caring University of St. Gallen (HSG)" group on Facebook. Within this community, you'll find the latest accommodation offers. Possible Locations: Being a comparably small town, there are very few differences between the various parts of St. Gallen. In general, locations close to “Marktplatz” (city center), the main station, or near a street called “Langgasse” are popular spots for many students. Overall, most students live in areas up to 15 minutes away from the city center. It is usually quite easy to find an apartment in this radius. With that, you will reach everything by walk which is amazing!
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Besides the VISA requirements, is there anything else to consider when arriving in St. Gallen?Yes! When moving to St. Gallen, you will need to register with the city authorities within 14 days of arrival, otherwise you can be fined. More information can be found by clicking on the button below.
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How can I enroll in a course?Course seats are allocated at all levels of study through Bidding in Compass. Similar to an auction, you have to put points on the courses you wish to attend. Course places are allocated at the end of each bidding round according to the number of points used. Therefore, the time of your bid is not important. The assignment of a course place in the bidding is a prerequisite for registering for an exam and thus for earning ECTS credits. In order to participate in the bidding process, you must be enrolled and have paid your semester invoice on time. Since bidding is a central element of teaching at the HSG, the University offers you comprehensive information on this subject, including explanatory videos, on StudentWeb. For your course and semester planning, we also recommend using Biddit. The app is operated and further developed by the student body (SHSG). Therefore, if you have questions about Biddit, contact SHSG directly.
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Where can I find the offered courses?The complete HSG CEMS course list for each semester can be viewed on:
Tellstrasse 2
9000 St.Gallen
Switzerland
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