{"id":5031,"date":"2025-10-09T10:10:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T10:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/?p=5031"},"modified":"2026-03-02T10:50:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T10:50:39","slug":"student-life-at-the-university-of-st-gallen-hsg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/student-life-at-the-university-of-st-gallen-hsg\/","title":{"rendered":"Why study in Switzerland -student life at the University of St. Gallen (HSG)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-068991496eefb93abec32a34759f8e7e\" style=\"border-radius:40px;background-color:#2e5077\"><strong>Study in Switzerland: What student life is really like in St. Gallen<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Thinking about studying in Switzerland? The city of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stadt.sg.ch\/home\/welcome.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">St. Gallen<\/a>, home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unisg.ch\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of St. Gallen (HSG)<\/a> and several other institutions, offers a compelling mix of academic reputation, international culture, and natural beauty. If you\u2019re an international student, here\u2019s what you\u2019ll get\u2014and what makes St. Gallen especially attractive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/student-life-at-the-university-of-st-gallen-hsg\/#University_of_St_Gallen_HSG\" >University of St. Gallen (HSG)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/student-life-at-the-university-of-st-gallen-hsg\/#Preparing_for_admission_to_HSG\" >Preparing for admission to HSG<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/student-life-at-the-university-of-st-gallen-hsg\/#Other_universities_in_St_Gallen\" >Other universities in St. Gallen<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/student-life-at-the-university-of-st-gallen-hsg\/#International_atmosphere_that_attracts_foreign_students\" >International atmosphere that attracts foreign students<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/student-life-at-the-university-of-st-gallen-hsg\/#Life_outside_the_classroom_nature_culture_and_safety\" >Life outside the classroom: nature, culture and safety<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/student-life-at-the-university-of-st-gallen-hsg\/#Cost_of_living_where_to_live_and_what_to_expect\" >Cost of living, where to live, and what to expect<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/student-life-at-the-university-of-st-gallen-hsg\/#Why_studying_in_Switzerland_is_a_strong_choice\" >Why studying in Switzerland is a strong choice<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ae0c629320f25726233fd42cd03407d5\" style=\"border-radius:40px;background-color:#2e5077\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"University_of_St_Gallen_HSG\"><\/span>University of St. Gallen (HSG)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Founded in 1898, HSG is one of Europe\u2019s top business universities, recognized for its excellence in business administration, economics, law, social sciences, international affairs, and computer science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Although most bachelor\u2019s programs are taught in German, several master\u2019s programs and doctoral tracks are available in English, making HSG an attractive choice for international students seeking globally recognized degrees. On average, the university enrolls nearly 10,000 students from 95 countries, creating a distinctly international learning environment (source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unisg.ch\/en\/newsdetail\/news\/9670-students-at-the-university-of-stgallen-hsg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of St. Gallen official statistics<\/a>). Additionally, the university maintains partnerships with over 200 institutions worldwide, giving students excellent exchange opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Beyond academics, HSG is known for its practice-oriented teaching and strong corporate connections. Students often participate in consulting projects, business simulations, and networking events that link them directly to leading European employers \u2013 particularly in finance, management, and consulting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Finally, degrees from HSG are highly respected world-wide, giving you a lifetime advantage upon completion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-c6eab97d1588215124ded4d4392afb06\" style=\"border-radius:40px;background-color:#2e5077\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preparing_for_admission_to_HSG\"><\/span>Preparing for admission to HSG<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Admission to HSG is competitive, and international applicants usually need to pass the HSG selection process (sometimes called the <em>St. Gallen admissions test<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">The admission process consists of an aptitude test and in some cases, a video interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">To help applicants succeed, we provide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/dp\/B0BTLFLJ69?binding=paperback&amp;ref_=ast_author_bsi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">specialized prep books<\/a> designed specifically for the HSG admission process. These guides include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:14px\">Realistic practice questions modeled on past selection formats<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:14px\">Step-by-step strategies for each test section<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:14px\">Expert advice on time management and analytical reasoning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">These resources are created for prospective students who want to master the HSG admissions exam and feel fully confident on test day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px\"><em>(Note: edulink is not affiliated with the University of St. Gallen; always refer to HSG\u2019s official admissions website for the latest entry requirements and test updates.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-4dbf7ce4c1933dac71e568565ca7babf\" style=\"border-radius:40px;background-color:#2e5077\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_universities_in_St_Gallen\"><\/span>Other universities in St. Gallen<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">St. Gallen is not just about HSG. The city also hosts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:14px\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ost.ch\/en\/university-of-applied-sciences\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OST \u2013 Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences<\/a><\/strong>, which offers degrees in engineering, computer science, health, and social work, emphasizing applied research and industry links.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:14px\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.phsg.ch\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PHSG \u2013 University of Teacher Education St. Gallen<\/a><\/strong>, focusing on teacher training and education sciences, with a strong emphasis on practical classroom experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Together, these institutions make St. Gallen a thriving academic ecosystem \u2014 where theory, practice, and innovation meet in a safe, student-friendly city surrounded by nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-bc70ef87acee62a18bd6ef189ef98707\" style=\"border-radius:40px;background-color:#2e5077\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"International_atmosphere_that_attracts_foreign_students\"><\/span><strong>International atmosphere that attracts foreign students<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Some of the things that make St. Gallen especially appealing to international students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:14px\"><strong>Youthful population &amp; diversity<\/strong> \u2014 St. Gallen has one of Switzerland\u2019s youngest populations. Combined with a large international student presence, this leads to a dynamic, open, and socially diverse environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:14px\"><strong>Strategic location<\/strong> \u2014 bordering Germany and Austria, with good transport links, St. Gallen you easy access to travel throughout Europe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:14px\"><strong>English-friendly environment<\/strong> \u2014 with many locals speaking English and universities offering English-taught programs, it\u2019s easier for non-German speakers to settle in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-4e4ec3b405b8ea88a528066292db0622\" style=\"border-radius:40px;background-color:#2e5077\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Life_outside_the_classroom_nature_culture_and_safety\"><\/span><strong>Life outside the classroom: nature, culture and safety<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Overall, St. Gallen is clean, safe, and very well organized. You\u2019ll find that public transport works reliably, but walking and biking paths are equally as abundant and convenient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Green spaces can be found throughout the city. But nature is never far: hike in the hills, ski in the Alps, or visit lakes like Lake Constance. St Gallen offers a great balance between academics and recreation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Furthermore, if you\u2019re looking for culture close by, the old town (Altstadt) has a UNESCO-listed library which is a highlight known for its beauty and character. St. Gallen has plenty of architecture to admire, culture to explore, and festivals to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-b3ebcfb0f84c8c6208d015cb1747c824\" style=\"border-radius:40px;background-color:#2e5077\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cost_of_living_where_to_live_and_what_to_expect\"><\/span><strong>Cost of living, where to live, and what to expect<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">While Switzerland is known to be expensive, St. Gallen tends to be cheaper than Zurich or Geneva. You\u2019ll still need to budget carefully, especially for housing and food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Student accommodation usually includes shared flats (WGs) or university-provided housing. We recommend starting your housing search in <strong>early to mid-spring<\/strong> for the fall semester, or as soon as you&#8217;ve received your acceptance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter is-style-regular has-poppins-font-family\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\"><table class=\"has-white-color has-contrast-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Neighborhood<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Why it\u2019s popular<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What to expect<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Rotmonten<\/strong><\/td><td>Very close to HSG, many student housing options, part of the youthful student atmosphere.<\/td><td>University-managed apartments, shared flats, good public transport to both campus &amp; center.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Rosenberg<\/strong><\/td><td>Quiet but central, good compromise between calm and accessibility.<\/td><td>Shared housing, near institutions like OST, still close to amenities.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>City center (Innenstadt \/ Marktplatz \/ Bahnhof)<\/strong><\/td><td>Best for being in the thick of things \u2014 shops, nightlife, transit.<\/td><td>Shared flats, more lively, possibly more expensive.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Linseb\u00fchl<\/strong><\/td><td>Trendy, slightly quieter, but still social and accessible.<\/td><td>A bit more residential, but with caf\u00e9 culture, student community, and the ability to walk\/bus to the city center.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-196a10c3651a605081ff68281398758f\" style=\"border-radius:40px;background-color:#2e5077\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_studying_in_Switzerland_is_a_strong_choice\"><\/span><strong><strong>Why studying in Switzerland is a strong choice<\/strong><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">If you\u2019re an international student thinking about studying in Switzerland, St. Gallen is one of the stronger picks \u2014 especially if you value academic rigor, international exposure, safety, and natural surroundings. For ease of living, building career connections, and making the most of university life while exploring Europe, St. Gallen offers a well-rounded experience.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore what makes studying in Switzerland special: international environment, career connections, and student life in St. Gallen.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5033,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-post-right-sidebar","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[262,97,98,93,585],"tags":[400,405,406,404,403,402,401],"class_list":["post-5031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-articles","category-living-abroad-housing-culture","category-student-stories-and-experiences","category-study-in-germany-austria-switzerland","category-university-of-st-gallen","tag-hsg","tag-hsg-student-life","tag-international-students-in-switzerland","tag-living-in-st-gallen","tag-student-life-in-switzerland","tag-study-in-switzerland","tag-university-of-st-gallen"],"featured_image_url":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-150x150.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-300x209.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-768x534.jpg","large":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-1024x712.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-1536x1068.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland.jpg","trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-18x12.jpg"},"post_author":"Sarah Meier","assigned_categories":"Articles in English, Living Abroad: Housing, Culture &amp; Daily Life, Student Voices &amp; Experiences, Study in Germany, Austria &amp; Switzerland, University of St. Gallen (HSG)","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland.jpg",1926,1339,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-300x209.jpg",300,209,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-768x534.jpg",768,534,true],"large":["https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-1024x712.jpg",1024,712,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-1536x1068.jpg",1536,1068,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland.jpg",1926,1339,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/edu-link.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/old-houses-of-st-gallen-in-switzerland-18x12.jpg",18,12,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Sarah Meier","author_link":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/author\/lyric\/"},"uagb_comment_info":2,"uagb_excerpt":"Explore what makes studying in Switzerland special: international environment, career connections, and student life in St. Gallen.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5031"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5031\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6209,"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5031\/revisions\/6209"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edu-link.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}