Incomings School of Management

Insight into business practice.
Classes at OST are very practice-oriented. OST lecturers not only have academic credentials but also business experience, and you'll see this reflected in the course content as well as the teaching style. 

Student consulting projects.
Here, you can transfer theory into practice by working on an authentic case for a real Swiss business, together with a diverse team of Swiss and other exchange students. Get hands-on experience in international consulting! This is a challenging, competitive module for which we offer a limited number of places.

An opportunity to learn German.
Whether you are a complete beginner or speak German at an intermediate level, you can improve your language skills in a small group and a relaxed environment.

Friends for life: our buddy programme.
We know that the first few weeks of studying abroad can be quite challenging. That's why a 'buddy' will be assigned to you, an OST student who'll help you settle in, show you where young people meet, and explain the most important ground rules to you. (In St.Gallen, for example, you should never ask for mustard with your sausage. Seriously.)

Tour of Switzerland.
See the Matterhorn for real! Switzerland is a beautiful country and boasts many world-famous sights. Your buddies will take you on a sightseeing trip.

A safe environment.
St.Gallen is a small, peaceful town. We're sure that you'll soon feel at home here!

A central location for getting around Europe.
Milano, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt: Switzerland's central location makes it an ideal starting point for your travels.

Spring Semester 2023/24
Monday, 19 February 2024 to Friday, 28 June 2024
! Start Introduction Week: Thursday, 08 February 2024 

Final Exams:
Monday, 17 June 2024 to Friday 28 June 2024

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Fall Semester 2024/2025
Monday, 16 September 2024 to Friday 24 January 2025
! Start Introduction Week: Thursday, 05 September 2024
 

Final Exams:
Monday, 13 January 2025 to Friday, 24 January 2025: 

Incoming students can rent apartments and rooms close to the Campus St.Gallen at reasonable prices (about 500 - 700 euros/month). Students have their own bedroom; kitchen facilities and bathrooms are shared with other students. Internet access is available. Apartments are completely furnished. Please contact the International Office for the housing application form. (Deadlines: fall semester: 15 May and spring semester 15 October)

If you would like to look for accommodation in St.Gallen on your own, the following websites are a useful starting point:

• HOMEStay
• roomtake.ch
• shared flats in St.Gallen
• comparis
• airbnb

Forms:
Please ask at your International Office for the link to our exchange application forms. This can be done after you were nominated by your home institution.

Freemovers:
Freemover students whose home university does not have an exchange agreement with OST are also welcome to study with us if OST has places available.  Freemovers pay tuition fees of CHF 1000 per semester.

Deadlines for student nomination :
Spring Semester - 1 October
Fall Semester - 1 May

Deadlines for student exchange applications: 
Spring Semester - 15 October 
Fall Semester - 15 May

Information
OST will provide you with all necessary information regarding the Introduction Week, the Campus St. Gallen, the city of St. Gallen and Switzerland before your stay.

Visa and Immigration
The International Office at OST will assist you as much as possible in obtaining your visa for Switzerland. A residency permit is required for stays in excess of three months in duration.

• EU and EFTA countries
  OST applies for your residency permit in June/November. The Department of Immigration grants residency permits for the duration of  your stay. Please bring this permit with you when entering Switzerland. It will be needed to report to the residency office after your arrival.
• Non-European countries 
  If you need a VISA, OST applies for a «Swiss Consulate Approval to Grant Visa» document in June/November. The Swiss Consulate of the country in question receives a copy of this document. Exchange Students must contact the Swiss Consulate after receiving the document via email and pick up the Visa if required. Visa fees must be paid at the consulate.

Health Insurance
Compulsory health insurance is intended to ensure that all individuals residing in Switzerland have guaranteed access to adequate healthcare. Swiss law mandates obtaining insurance from a Swiss health insurerance company for any stay longer than three months.

You are exempt from this requirement if you are: 

• EU citizens covered by national insurance schemes 
• Non-EU citizens with adequate insurance coverage valid in Switzerland

Students are responsible themselves for providing evidence of adequate insurance coverage.

Health Insurance Companies:
Academic Care of Groupe Mutuel
Swisscare

Buddy System 
Before you arrive in Switzerland, one of our OST students will contact you and will answer your questions regarding your stay in St. Gallen. Your buddy will be there for you when you arrive in St. Gallen and accompany you to your accommodation.

Information about Switzerland
Switzerland Tourism

Information about St.Gallen
City of St.Gallen
Region of St.Gallen

On February 26th 2014, after the acceptance of the federal popular initiative «against mass immigration», the European Commission announced that Switzerland's status in Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ would be downgraded from «Associated» to «Third country». 

The Swiss Federal Council decided to develop a temporary solution to finance Switzerland's indirect participation in the EU's programme. The amount granted to incomings students and faculty members will be determined before each academic year and will be paid by the OST. The students will continue to pay their regular home university tuition fees and remain registered there. A tuition fee will thus not have to be payed to OST.

Grants
Incoming students (depending on country of origin): CHF 380 - CHF 440

Registration at Residency Office
After your arrival, you must register with the St. Gallen residents' registration office within 14 days. More information will be sent to you by the International Office Staff of OST.

Cost of living
The cost of living depends on your individual needs (about 1400 - 2100 CHF per month).

OST Campus restaurand and cafeteria
The canteen on Campus St. Gallen offers a daily selection of lunch menus at affordable prices. The current opening hours of the canteen are Mon-Fri 11.30 a.m. –  2 p.m and Sat 11.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m. There is also a coffee bar which serves drinks and light snacks. The opening hours of the coffee bar are Mon and Wed 7 a.m. – 6.30 p.m.; Tue/Thu/Fri 7.00 a.m. – 7 p.m and Sat 7.30 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Library
The library features 98 work stations which are available for concentrated reading and studying. 

Sports 
With their campus card, OST students can also use the sports facilities of  the University St. Gallen. 

Leisure and culture
There is a lot to do in St. Gallen.

Shopping
Coop, Migros and Denner are the three largest Swiss food retailers with stores in almost every neighbourhood. The German discounters Lidl and Aldi are often found in the suburbs. The culinary specialities of St. Gallen include the St. Gallen Bratwurst, the St. Gallen Biber and St. Gallen beer.
Shops are usually open from 08:30 to 18:30. The shops in the main train station have extended opening hours and also open on Sundays.

On the road in St. Gallen and in the region
With an Ostwind ticket you can travel in the cantons St. Gallen, Thurgau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden with all public transport. Young people under 25 years of age receive a reduction on the monthly and annual season ticket.
For people who travel a lot outside the region, a half-fare travelcard is highly recommended.
The Lake Constance Day Ticket is an attractive international ticket that allows you to visit the sights of Austria, Germany and Switzerland
A cheap alternative is going by bike. Free bike rental is available at the bike station at St. Gallen railway station. 

The campus St.Gallen is located in the heart of St.Gallen. The modern building offers a good infrastructure and a perfect atmosphere to study. It is accessible by excellent public transport connections.

OST invites lecturers and staff from partner universities to come to St. Gallen for a brief teaching assignment or a staff training visit. The Swiss counterpart to Erasmus, the Swiss European Mobility Programme (SEMP), provides funding for such exchanges.  

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

esther.gigerrobinson(at)ost.ch / io-business@ost.ch

 *Staff training visits can also be organised for colleagues from other universities.