Studying at Universität St. Gallen (HSG) with the IB

• Three HL, one of them maths or a group 4 science. Group 3 only geography, history or economics (or business management). Not accepted include Math Studies SL, Psychology, Global Politics, ESS, Visual Arts, Music and Theatre.

Foreign applicants with a recognised foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificate apply online and can be admitted only through the HSG selection procedure (online aptitude test, then possibly a video interview), because places for foreign applicants are limited by law. Only selection procedure results are considered. Swiss and Liechtenstein citizens and holders of a Swiss type C residence permit are exempt from the selection procedure.

• No proof of language proficiency is needed at application; applicants must ensure they are fluent enough in the language of instruction. Recommended level at the start of studies is at least C1 (CEFR).
• Applicants who must take the Complementary Examination ECUS need at least B2 (CEFR) in German regardless of the language track; the ECUS exams are held only in German and include a German test at level C1 (CEFR).
• The Assessment Year in Economic Sciences (BWL, VWL, IA, Law and Economics) can be taken entirely in English or entirely in German; the Assessment Year in Law and in Computer Science can only be completed in German.

• Application period for the Bachelor's programme (starts in the autumn semester): 1 October - 30 April
• Selection test for foreign applicants: 16 February 2027 (full application by 10 January, test registration by 31 January) or in June 2027 (calendar week 23); later applicants can take only the June date.

• Published IB benchmark: 32 points, not counting the 3 core points (TOK and EE); below 32 there is no admission.
• A foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificate must be essentially equivalent to the Swiss maturity certificate (such as German Abitur or British A-level); subjects, number of hours and school years are considered in the assessment.
• Applicants should check swissuniversities for recognised foreign certificates by country and make sure HSG admission regulations are met.
• IB, A-level and AP applicants must submit predicted grades with the application.
• If the school-leaving certificate is not yet available at application, it must be uploaded as soon as received, no later than the start of the course.
• Certificates from the last three school years are required; if not yet graduated, the half-year report of the final year (or school confirmation of all final-year subjects) is needed.
• Documents not in German, French, Italian or English need a certified translation into German or English.
• The application fee is CHF 268.
• The original school leaving certificate is presented in person to the Admissions Office during StartWeek.
• Foreign applicants go through the HSG selection procedure (online test and video interview; 2027 dates 16 February or 8 June), and places for them are capped by law. Swiss or Liechtenstein nationals, C-permit holders and Swiss Matura holders are exempt.