How can I study at St Gallen?

I'm a highschool senior and want to study the Major in Business Administration in St. Gallen, but as come from Spain and will do the spanish Selectividad, the swiss universities portal  says that I need AT LEAST 2 years of uni study in Spain before applying for St. HSG. I want to make clear that my goal is to study the whole Bachelors degree there.

I'm not sure if saying that I've got the Brevet des Collèges might help as I studied inthe French schooling system since not long ago.

Should I contact the Executive Director of the major and explain my situation (she propbably wont make an exception but its worth trying) or should I move on to another uni and aim for HSG for my exchange year?

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, your situation aligns with the general requirements for international students applying to St. Gallen. Swiss universities, including St. Gallen, often require students from certain countries to complete at least two years of university study before being eligible for direct entry into their bachelor's programs. This is likely due to differences in educational systems and qualifications.

Here’s what you can consider:

  1. Contact the Admissions Office: Instead of reaching out directly to the Executive Director of the major, it would be more effective to contact the admissions office at St. Gallen. They are better equipped to handle such queries and may provide clarity on whether exceptions can be made or if your Brevet des Collèges could strengthen your case.

  2. Alternative Pathways: If the requirement of two years of university study in Spain is non-negotiable, you could consider enrolling in a Spanish university for two years and then applying to St. Gallen. Alternatively, you could explore other universities in Switzerland or Europe that might accept your current qualifications directly.

  3. Exchange Year Option: If your ultimate goal is to experience St. Gallen, you could aim to study at a university that has an exchange agreement with St. Gallen. This would allow you to spend a semester or year there during your studies.

  4. Language Proficiency: Ensure that you meet the language requirements for St. Gallen, as this will be a critical factor in your application.

  5. Plan for the Future: If you decide to pursue the two-year university route in Spain, use that time to build a strong academic record and extracurricular profile to enhance your application to St. Gallen.

While it’s worth trying to explain your situation to the admissions office, be prepared for the possibility that the requirements may not be flexible. In that case, focusing on alternative pathways or planning for an exchange year could still help you achieve your goal of studying at St. Gallen.

Sources: Comprehensive guide of studies in France, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/master-in-finance-hec-paris-vs-bocconi-vs-st-gallen?customgpt=1, UNIGE Master of arts in international trading, Commodity finance & shipping, HBS 2+2 / Wharton Deferred - applying from Europe, Ask Natalie from Accepted about Business School Admissions

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Rerum ut quia pariatur dolorem. Aliquam ut numquam deleniti et expedita sint suscipit. Sapiente quaerat dolores non qui. Atque in dolorem minus quia. Enim velit voluptatem alias.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”