Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor in Business Administration (BWL) Program

The Bachelor in Business Administration (BWL) program at the University of St.Gallen (HSG) offers a comprehensive and practice-oriented education. It is designed to provide students with a broad foundation in business administration, leadership skills, communication competence, and knowledge in computer science. The program is tailored to foster a holistic understanding of business and its various aspects, including economic, legal, and social contexts.

Curriculum

The BWL curriculum is divided into several key areas:

• Business Administration Fundamentals: Provides a comprehensive introduction to central areas of business administration, such as marketing, strategic management, corporate finance, accounting, controlling, and auditing.
• Methodological Competencies: Focuses on empirical social research and statistics to enable students to make informed decisions based on scientific methods.
• Economic and Legal Knowledge: Offers in-depth knowledge in micro and macroeconomics, as well as business and tax law, to understand entrepreneurial decisions within a broader economic and legal context.
• Technology and Operations: Introduces students to computer science for business and operations management, equipping them to address technological and operational challenges in businesses.

Profile of the Program

The program seeks students who:

• Have goals and visions;
• Are willing to address the challenges of today and actively change things;
• Excel not only in individual achievements but also as team players;
• Recognize new technologies as fun and an opportunity, and are willing to use them;
• Hold personal development as important as good grades;
• Think globally and aim for international networking;
• Have a positive attitude towards problems and dare to try innovative solutions;
• Want to use their time productively;
• Aim to take on responsibility in a leadership role.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor in Business Administration (BWL) at the University of St.Gallen (HSG) provides an excellent foundation for a successful career in a variety of industries. Graduates are in high demand worldwide and have access to a broad spectrum of professional opportunities, ranging from management positions in multinational corporations to consulting, start-ups, and entrepreneurship. The program's practical orientation and international focus also open up exciting perspectives in finance, marketing, controlling, or corporate management.

Facts about the Program

• Title: Bachelor of Arts HSG (B.A. HSG)
• Start of Studies: Obligatory start week in calendar week 37 (for the assessment year), beginning of the fall semester in calendar week 38.
• Regular Study Duration: 3 years, including the assessment year, full-time.
• Number of Credits: 180 ECTS credits (including the assessment year).
• Program Language: German and/or English.
• Program Offered Since: After a fundamental reform.
• Application Deadline: October 1 to April 30.
• Tuition Fees: CHF 1,229 per semester for Swiss citizens, CHF 3,129 per semester for foreign citizens.
• Scholarships/Loans: Please refer to the further link for details.
• Admission Requirements: Please refer to the further link for details.
• HSG Admission Test: Held in calendar weeks 7 and 28.
• Total Number of Students: 1,972 (HS 2024).
• Gender Ratio: 30% female students.
• International Student Ratio: 25.6%.
• New Enrollments: 24% international student ratio.

Curriculum Details

The curriculum is structured into:

• Compulsory Area: Includes 13 courses that all BWL students must complete. Most courses are offered alternately in German and English each semester.
• Elective Area: Allows students to choose from a variety of courses with a business administration focus. The offer includes different courses in the fall and spring semesters, all weighted with 4 ECTS credits.
• Context Studies: Integrates knowledge across disciplinary boundaries and strengthens social and cultural competencies. Students attend courses in focus areas and skills areas, learning to think holistically and look beyond their immediate field of study.

Duration and Credits

• The program is designed for a regular study duration of 4 semesters after the assessment year.
• It encompasses 120 ECTS credits.
• The choice of courses allows students to study predominantly in German or English, with the requirement that at least 12 ECTS credits must be earned in the "other" language.

Specializations

Students can voluntarily choose a specialization (Vertiefung) to give their studies a profile. Specializations are possible in nine areas:

• Accounting, Controlling, Auditing
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• International Management
• Leadership & Human Resource Management
• Marketing
• Operations and Innovation Management
• Strategic Management
• Business Informatics

Each of these profile areas offers, in addition to compulsory courses, elective and optional courses. It is also possible to complete the Capstone Project and/or the Bachelor's thesis in a specialization.

Capstone Project

The Capstone Project is taken towards the end of the studies. It applies the knowledge learned in the BWL major to solve a practical problem of a company. Students act as "management consultants" and look for innovative solutions. Experienced lecturers accompany the project, providing questions, support, and tips. A joint kickoff and final event are part of the Capstone Project, which is weighted with 8 ECTS credits.

Bachelor's Thesis

The Bachelor's thesis is a scientific paper where students deal in-depth with a question of their choice from a business administration perspective. They apply relevant scientific theories and methods. The Bachelor's thesis is weighted with 12 ECTS credits.

Internationalization

More than 60% of students opt for an exchange semester at another university. Internationalization and intercultural exchange are important themes in the BWL major. The university encourages students to spend an exchange semester, either at one of the many partner universities or at a university of their choice. Comprehensive information on exchange opportunities is available.

Languages

Students can study the BWL major predominantly in German or English, depending on the choice of courses. However, at least 12 ECTS credits must be earned in the "other" language. Foreign language skills are important; by the end of the Bachelor's program, students must provide proof of knowledge in two foreign languages (in addition to the language of instruction). One foreign language is taken during the assessment year, and another is learned during the Bachelor's studies. The range of foreign languages offered is broad, including European languages and courses in Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese at various levels.

FAQ

General Questions

• What master's programs are open to me with a Bachelor's degree in BWL? With a Bachelor's degree in BWL, you are well-prepared for many master's programs. At the University of St.Gallen, you can seamlessly continue with any master's program of the School of Management after completing your Bachelor's in BWL, with exceptions for the Master in Strategy and International Management (SIM), the Master in Management, Organisation and Culture (MOK), and the Master in Banking and Finance (MBF) of the School of Finance, which have special application and selection procedures.
• Where can I find an overview of all courses currently offered in the BWL major? An overview of all courses offered at the University of St.Gallen can be found in the course catalog. Under each course, you will find times, rooms, and in the attached information sheet, all details about the course.

Admission and Study Begin

• What conditions must I fulfill to be admitted to the BWL major? Generally, the general admission requirements for the Bachelor's program at the University of St.Gallen apply. Most students start the BWL major after successfully completing the assessment year. However, there are also opportunities to enter the BWL major directly. For any questions regarding admission, please contact the admissions office of the University of St.Gallen.
• Can I also start the BWL major in the spring semester? In principle, you start the BWL major in the fall semester. There are certain exceptions, such as transferring from another university, where starting in the spring semester is possible.

Program Structure

• Can I also choose two specializations in the BWL major and complete them? No, this is not possible. In the transcript of records for the Bachelor's diploma, only one specialization will be listed.
• When do the exams in the BWL major take place? Depending on the course, BWL major courses are completed with a central or decentralized exam. Additionally, there are courses where partial performances must be provided during the semester. The respective exam forms are documented in the course information sheet and are binding from the start of the semester. Central exams take place outside of the lecture period. Decentralized exams take place during the lecture period; the time is announced by the lecturers during the semester.
• Who can I contact if I have questions about the BWL major? The program management of the Bachelor in BWL is available for further program-specific information. You can reach us by mail at majorbwl@unisg.ch or by phone at ().

The University of St.Gallen also offers a wide range of advisory services that are available to you in various life situations. An overview of all advisory services can be found here.