HSG selection procedure
The number of places for foreign applicants at the University of St.Gallen is limited by law. We will consider only the results you achieve during the selection procedure; your school grades (e.g. A-level grades) will not be taken into consideration.
The selection procedure consists of two stages:
On-line aptitude test
You will start the selection procedure by completing a computer-based on-line aptitude test. You must take it at home. You will need a notebook, a computer (PC) with a functioning camera, microphone and sound. Mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets are not permitted. Approximately 10 days prior to the on-line test, you will receive an e-mail with further information from our test provider directly. Under this link you will find an exercise test with sample tasks.
Video interview
Based on your on-line test results, we will send you an e-mail invitation to record a video interview. In this interview you will be asked pre-recorded questions about your motivation and interests.
For the interview, you will need a computer or a laptop with a microphone and a camera. If you have no access to a computer with a webcam, you may also record this interview using your mobile phone or a tablet. We recommend that you find a quite spot where you will not be disturbed while recording your interview. You will receive further details on the interview in our e-mail invitation.
The following two dates are available for the selection procedure:
Calendar week 7
On-line aptitude test: Tuesday, 14 February 2023, 2pm – 5pm (CET)
Video interview: Thursday, 16 February 2023, 3pm – 4pm (CET)
Calendar week 23
On-line aptitude test: Tuesday, 6 June 2023, 2pm – 5pm (CET)
Video interview: Thursday, 8 June 2023, 3pm – 4pm (CET)
If you submit your full application by 15 January, you may register by 31 January for the selection procedure in February. For later applications, only the date in June is available.
Who can be admitted via the selection procedure?
Foreign applicants for a Bachelor's degree who have recognised secondary school leaving certificates can be admitted via the HSG selection procedure.
The following applicants are exempt from the selection process:
- applicants with Swiss or Liechtenstein nationality
- applicants with a Swiss permanent residence permit C
- applicants with a recognised Swiss or Liechtenstein maturity certificate (Maturität, Matura)
- applicants with a degree from a recognised Swiss university
How do I register for the HSG selection procedure?
You must first apply for admission at the HSG via the online application tool. If you fulfil all admission requirements, you will receive in your electronic mailbox (Compass Mailbox) a confirmation letter with information on how to register for the HSG selection procedure.
Please find the link to your mailbox in the Online Application user account at the top right of your status overview page. Use your Online Application log-in credentials to access your mailbox.
As soon as you have registered for the selection procedure successfully the chosen date will show on your online application status page.
If you submit your complete application by January 15, you can register by January 31 for the selection procedure in February. For later applications, only the date in June is available.
The admission test can only be taken once for the chosen academic year. You are allowed to participate in the selection procedure once again next year at the earliest.
What do I need to consider for the on-line test?
You will need a notebook or a PC desktop with a functioning camera, microphone and sound. Mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets are not permitted. Approximately 10 days prior to the test, you will receive an e-mail with further details from our test provider directly.
You may use a simple pocket calculator. Additional resources such as dictionaries are not permitted.
What do I need for my video interview? And how does the recording work?
Your video interview consists of four to six prerecorded questions about your motivation and interests, which you will answer using your computer webcam and your microphone.
If you have no access to a computer with a webcam, you may record your interview using a smartphone or a tablet. You will receive further details in our e-mail invitation.
How and when do I find out the result?
On-line test
By noon on Thursday after the test, the status in your online application account will be adjusted accordingly:
«Conditionally accepted» or «Declined» or «Video interview»
Please log in to your Online Application user account to check the status of your application.
Video interview
14 days after the interview at the latest, the status in your online application will be adjusted accordingly:
«Conditionally accepted» or «Declined»
Please log in to your Online Application user account to check the status of your application.
A view days after the final decision, you will receive the Letter of Admission or the Letter of Rejection in your electronic mailbox (Compass Mailbox). You will find the link to your mailbox in your Online Application user account at the top right of the status overview page. Use your Online Application log-in credentials to access your mailbox.
Can I prepare myself for the selection procedure?
The on-line test is an aptitude and not knowledge test. Intellectual capacity, creativity and the ability to solve problems are crucial. The on-line test is divided into two sections: "quantitative problem-solving" and "diagram interpretation and tables". The test lasts 70 minutes. Under this link you will find an exercise test with sample tasks.
Your video interview consists of four to six prerecorded questions and lasts about 10 minutes. Your motivation, your interest and your reflective and expressive skills are assessed.