Bachelor of Business Administration (Major BWL)
St. Gallen, Switzerland
BBA
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
German, English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Major in Business Administration at The University of St.Gallen (HSG) offers an internationally recognized foundation in business with an introduction to computer science. You study economics, law and languages (German or English) and can specialize in nine profiles like Finance, International Management or Entrepreneurial Informatics. Teaching uses real projects with corporate partners and stresses teamwork, business ethics, sustainability, semester abroad and development.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter roles like management consultant, financial analyst, business analyst, product manager, IT systems analyst, corporate compliance advisor or international management positions; many also pursue postgraduate study. Keywords: business administration, management, finance, entrepreneurship, partners.
Why Major in Business Administration?
The Major in Business Administration offers you an internationally recognised, practice-oriented foundational education. The core curriculum covers all essential aspects of business administration and provides a basic introduction to Computer Science. Additionally, the Major in Business Administration is characterised by a holistic approach, considering various aspects of economic activity. Entrepreneurial actions are also placed in a broader context through mandatory economics courses, while legal subjects highlight the legal framework conditions.
In addition to courses in business administration, you will attend courses in the fields of economics, law and computer science. You can choose to study in German or English (or a mix of both) and benefit from the latest interactive forms of teaching and learning. Already at the Bachelor level, you can specialise in one of nine profile areas (e.g. Finance, International Management or Entrepreneurial Informatics). A central element of our teaching is the high level of practical relevance. From the first day of your studies in the Major in Business Administration, you are involved in real projects with corporate partners.
Your personal development is just as important to us as your academic performance. Part of a holistic study program is that you act as a team player and think about topics such as business ethics or sustainability. But also, that you acquire new language skills and encounter a different study life during a semester abroad. You will learn to think globally and to act innovatively - all with the aim of making tomorrow's world a better one.
Our promise: We not only provide our students with the relevant knowledge using state-of-the-art methods, but we especially encourage the development of strong personalities.
The Major in Business Administration follows the Assessment Year and consists of 120 credits. It is designed for a standard study period of 4 semesters. About half of the courses are offered in German and half in English. Therefore, students can "mix and match" between courses in either language. However, at least 12 ECTS must be earned in the "other" language.
The curriculum distinguishes between compulsory and core elective courses as well as courses in Contextual Studies. In addition, students must complete a Bachelor's thesis.
Compulsory Courses
The compulsory area covers 13 courses (contact study and self-study), which must be completed by all students in the Major Business Administration. Most courses are offered alternately in German and English once per semester.
- Accounting, Controlling, Auditing
- Business and Tax Law
- Corporate Finance*
- Fundamentals and Methods of Computer Science
- Introduction to Operations Management
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Marketing
- Leadership & Human Ressource Management
- Methods: Empirical Social Research
- Methods: Statistics
- Strategic Management*
- Capstone Project
*Please note that Corporate Finance is taught only in English. There are overlaps when students take Corporate Finance and Strategic Management in the same spring semester.
Core Electives/Electives
You complement the compulsory area with core elective and elective courses. By selecting the courses, you give your studies an individual profile.
Among the core electives, you can choose from a variety of courses with a focus on Business Administration, depending on your personal preferences. In the autumn and spring semesters, different courses are offered in German and English. These are typically weighted with 4 ECTS. An overview of the current compulsory elective courses can be found in the course list.
In the elective area, you can take courses from other majors (e.g. Economics, Law, International Affairs...).
Contextual Studies
In Contextual Studies (24 ECTS) you have a wide choice of courses from other disciplines (incl. language courses) that allow you to broaden your own horizon.
Two examples from the many courses offered within the Contextual Studies: "Power, Politics, and Democracy - Who Runs the World?" or "Programmers, Hackers and Hacks - The People and Practices Behind Our Machines".
Capstone Project
Do you know what a capstone is? It is the last stone you put into an archway or vault during construction.
That's why you take the Capstone Project toward the end of your Bachelor in Business Administration. As the "last brick," it intertwines theory with practice. You will apply everything you have learned so far in order to solve a practical problem of a company. You will therefore be working as a "management consultant", designing innovative solutions. Experienced faculty will accompany you, answer your questions and support you with suggestions and tips. A joint kickoff and a closing event are also part of the Capstone Project, which is weighted with 8 ECTS.
Bachelor's Thesis
The Bachelor's thesis (12 ECTS) is a scientific paper. You will deal in depth with an issue from an area of your own choice from a management perspective. In the Bachelor's thesis, you will follow the relevant scientific research designs and principles.
The University of St.Gallen is renowned as one of Europe's leading business schools, consistently ranked among the top ten by the Financial Times. But is it the right fit for you? Explore your possibilities by joining our Bachelor’s and Master’s Open Days
Your Profile
The Bachelor in Business Administration creates achievers.
We are looking for students, who...
- have goals and visions;
- are willing to face the challenges of today;
- not only achieve great results themselves but also shine as team players;
- recognise new technologies as fun and see them as an opportunity;
- consider personal development to be just as important as excellent grades;
- know values such as respect, modesty and empathy not only from hearsay;
- think globally and network internationally;
- have a positive attitude towards problems and are willing to try innovative solutions;
- want to use their valuable time productively;
- have the aim of assuming their responsibilities in a leadership role.
Demonstrate your commitment and readiness to succeed in business school by taking the GMAT exam – the most widely used exam for admissions that measures your critical thinking and reasoning skills. Download the GMAT mini quiz to get a flavour of the questions you’ll find in the exam.
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