Incoming Students

International Office – Schools of Technology / Computer Science / Architecture, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Spatial Planning

Welcome to Switzerland and OST!

«During my stay I learned a lot, both academically and personally. I had the opportunity to meet new people and places, with different cultures and experiences.»

Incoming Student, Spring Semester 2022

Why OST?

OST is an excellent university of applied sciences in Eastern Switzerland with around 4000 students. The education is practice-oriented and personal.

Every year, OST welcomes around 100 exchange students from all over the world. Being an exchange student is a great chance to broaden your academic horizon, get to know another country and meet people from all over the world.

You can choose from a variety of study programs at the Schools of Technology, Computer Science and Architecture/Civil Engineering/Landscape Architecture/Spatial Planning.

Application

Please check our factsheet and the course offer in the download area for courses offered in English, application procedure, deadlines, semester dates and language requirements.

To be accepted as an exchange student at OST you need to be nominated by one of our partner universities. After we have received your nomination we will send you detailed information about the application process.

Please note our nomination deadlines for partner universities:

15 May  for Fall Semester
15 October for Spring Semester

Please note our application deadlines for incoming students:

1 June for  Fall Semester
1 November for Spring Semester

You can find OST semester dates here.

If your home university is not a partner university of OST you can study with us as a «free mover». Contact us for more information.

We support you before, during and after your stay at OST. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!

OST has three sites: Rapperswil, St. Gallen and Buchs. (Additionally, some Master classes take place in Zurich.) Exchange students only choose one campus depending on their study program. You can find information about the location of each study program in the fact sheet (see Download area). 

  • Campus Rapperswil:  Rapperswil with its Mediterranean holiday atmosphere is a beautiful town located on Lake Zurich, 30 minutes by train from Zurich. It is close to mountains and offers great possibilities for hiking and sports.
  • Campus St.Gallen: St. Gallen with its picturesque old town and a rich historical heritage offers great cultural life and is close to Lake Constance.
  • Campus Buchs: Buchs is wonderful for people who love mountains and the outdoors. Buchs is located in the border region between Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria.

The student hall of residence in Rapperswil is conveniently located, just a five-minute bus ride from campus and a brief five-minute walk to the lake, and with wonderful views to the lake and to the mountains. You can apply for accommodation in your application if you are interested to stay at the student dorm.

For students staying in St.Gallen or Buchs the International Office can assist to find private housing.

Exchange students coming from partner universities do not pay tuition fees at OST. 

As a student from a European partner university, you will additionally receive a Swiss-European-Mobility Programme (SEMP) grant from us.    

The cost of living in Switzerland is high compared to its neighboring countries. You can find detailed information about living costs in Switzerland in the fact sheet.

Every spring semester OST offers a fully English taught program for Industrial Engineering Students at Campus St.Gallen: Become part of a small team of international students: work for one semester on an industrial product development project provided by a Swiss corporation, benefit from the support of different coaches, and gain important experience for both your professional and personal development.

Please find more detailed information in the flyer in the download area.