Partner Universities - Switzerland
FHS University of Applied Sciences, Saint Gallen
Subject Areas:
Business (FHS offers a specific range of modules in English. Most English modules are core subjects in business and management.)
Session Dates:
Spring Semester: March – June
(“Survival German” starts two weeks before the semester. One week before the semester there is a block seminar in Strategic Management)
Accommodation:
International students are offered accommodation in apartments located close to the university. Rental costs range from €300 - €500 per month. Students are allocated a private room within each apartment and share kitchen and bathroom facilities. All apartments are fully furnished.
Approximate expenses for one month: €1000
- Room; €400 per month
- Meal Plan; €250 per month
- Textbooks; €40 per month
- Health Insurance; €130 per month (compulsory if staying longer than 3 months)
- Miscellaneous expenses; €100 per month
Health Insurance:
Swiss law mandates obtaining insurance from a Swiss health insurer for any stay longer than 3 months in duration, i.e. requiring a residency permit. The following are exempt from this requirement: EU citizens covered by national insurance schemes, EU citizens with adequate private insurance coverage, Non-EU citizens with adequate insurance coverage.
Students are responsible themselves for providing evidence of adequate insurance coverage (form E-111, EU-citizen insurance cards or letter in German issued by your health insurance provider)
Exchange student support services:
Staff at the International Office offer academic assistance, organise excursions and promote activities to make the international student’s experience a memorable one. The office has also introduced a ‘buddy’ system where current FHS students are paired with international students to offer additional support and friendship. FHS Buddies also organise events for exchange students while they are living in Switzerland.
Visa:
A residency permit is required for stays in excess of 3 months in duration. Australian citizens must apply for a visa through the Consulate General of Switzerland in Sydney.Find further information regarding visas
Facts in brief
FHS:
The FHS University of Applied Sciences St Gallen is the largest educational institution for the applied sciences in Eastern Switzerland. Approximately 2000 students are enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university’s faculty is made up of 53 professors and 225 lecturers.
Location:
The city of St Gallen is located in the German speaking northeast region of Switzerland. It is situated close to the borders of Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. The city was founded in 612AD by the Irish monk, Gallus. He built a crude hut, which was then developed into a Benedictine monastery. The city has evolved around the Abbey and now hosts a population of approximately 70000 inhabitants. St Gallen is now renowned not only for its historic Abbey but its textile industry and university.
St Gallen is a picturesque city with the ‘old town’ preserved as it would have looked centuries ago. Narrow alleys in the old town lined with boutiques, restaurants and bars lend the town its unmistakeable charm.
Climate
The geography of Switzerland means that the climate varies greatly from one region to another. The seasons are clearly defined. The higher areas where St Gallen is situated often receive high snow falls during the winter months. The average summer temperature is very pleasant. However, it can be very wet during the warmer months. Average high and low temperatures are:
- Jan - -2°C - 2°C
- Apr - 4°C - 11°C
- Aug - 14°C - 21°C
- Dec - -14°C - 3°C
Activities:
At regular intervals during the semesters, cocktail hours, cultural and athletic events take place at FHS, along with excursions, allowing students and instructors to engage in exchanges outside of class and to form an academic community together. Once a year there is also an FHS block event that provides the opportunity to deal with interdisciplinary issues and meet with students and instructors from other courses of study.
Useful links:
FHS University of Applied Sciences website; FHS University of Applied Sciences St Gallen
Tourist Information
Travel Assistance