At the University of St.Gallen, the curriculum is taught in German and English. The university not only offers the opportunity to study in two languages, but foreign languages are deeply embedded within its program structure.
Proof of proficiency and requirements
Graduates of the University of St.Gallen are required to demonstrate their proficiency in two foreign languages, with the requirement of proof being completely independent of their choice of language of study. One language certificate must be completed during the Assessment Year and a second until the completion of Bachelor studies.
A range of courses and examinations is offered in 10 foreign languages. For each language, two or three target levels have been defined. Students decide for themselves which level in which foreign language they will seek certification for (that is, which language skills they want to have documentation for in the labor market).
The languages taught at HSG assume an entry level equivalent to the level of the Swiss maturity certificate or an equivalent foreign school-leaving certificate. In terms of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), this means:
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Target Level and Course Prerequisites for Language Courses
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LANGUAGE
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TARGET LEVEL
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COURSE PREREQUISITES
(Unless otherwise stated, the learning level preceding the target level is assumed. A1 courses start from zero. Ex: English C1 course requires B2 level proficiency.)
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German
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C1
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English
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C1
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French
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B2
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C1
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Italian
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B11
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B2
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1 no previous knowledge is required for the Italian B1 course
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Spanish
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B12
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B2
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2 no previous knowledge is required for the Spanish B1 course
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Portuguese
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A2
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Arabic
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A1
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Chinese
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A1
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Japanese
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A1
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Russian
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A1
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For the target levels A1 and A2, a range of language courses is offered with English as the language of explanation.
Special offer of language certificates in the languages of study, German and English
For students who may desire more intensive training in the languages of study, English or German, an extended course with double the number of hours per week is available for certification at the target level C1.
External qualifications
As part of the Assessment Year, proof of knowledge of a foreign language at a lower level is required (in languages with three target levels: one of the two lower levels). For this requirement, no external language diplomas will be recognized; students in the Assessment Year are required to complete an oral and written language examination at the University of St.Gallen.
However, in the Bachelor studies that follow, external language certificates can be presented as proof, allowing for recognition of languages other than those taught at the University of St.Gallen.