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The Major in Economics (VWL) at the University of St.Gallen gives you the tools to tackle real-world challenges like globalisation, financial crises, and unemployment, building a strong foundation in economic theory, data analytics, and business skills for careers in research, policy, or leadership. It's perfect for curious, analytical students who want small classes, direct access to top lecturers, and flexibility to specialise or study abroad while developing soft skills through Contextual Studies.
Curriculum structure
Years 1-2 (Compulsory Pillar – Building Core Expertise):
In your first two semesters after the Assessment Year, you'll dive into the essentials of economics through hands-on, small-group courses like Microeconomics II and III, Macroeconomics II and III, and Data Analytics, mastering how markets work, economic policies shape societies, and data drives decisions. You'll also tackle Mathematical Tools for Economists, Introduction to Programming, and Data Handling to build quantitative skills for analysing complex global issues, plus basics in Accounting, Controlling, and Auditing to understand business from the ground up—all totaling 52 ECTS credits in a focused, efficient structure that leaves room for exchanges later.
Years 3-4 (Core Electives and Electives Pillar – Broadening and Specialising):
Here, you'll apply your foundation by choosing electives from Economics or other majors, refining your profile with optional specialisations like Economic Data Science, Business Economics, or Economic Policy, while exploring broader topics in Contextual Studies. This phase sharpens your ability to handle versatile methods for real problems, with flexibility to organise your schedule around internships or study abroad.
Final Phase (Level 3 – Bachelor's Thesis):
You'll cap it off by producing original work through the Thesis Preparation Colloquium and Bachelor's Thesis (12 ECTS), applying everything you've learned to an economic topic of your choice, preparing you to think independently and lead in dynamic environments.
Focus areas: Tailor your degree with specialisations in Economic Data Science (data-driven insights), Business Economics (firm strategy and markets), or Economic Policy (global challenges like crises and inequality)—each letting you apply concepts directly to today's issues.
Learning outcomes: You'll gain comprehensive economic knowledge, skills in data analytics and programming, and the ability to analyse complex structures, solve problems with evidence-based methods, and take on leadership with strong social competencies.
Professional alignment (accreditation): The program holds top accreditations including EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, ensuring global recognition and alignment with careers in consulting, finance, policy, international organisations, or research.
Reputation (employability rankings): University of St.Gallen ranks among Europe's best in economics and finance, with graduates landing prestigious roles in academia, business, and policy thanks to cutting-edge research and small-class teaching at the School of Economics and Political Science (SEPS-HSG).
Why Major Economics (VWL) at University of St.Gallen?
The Major Economics programme equips you with the necessary tools to understand global social and economic challenges while preparing you for leadership roles in a dynamic world. What makes this programme stand out is how it combines rigorous theoretical training with practical, hands-on learning experiences that directly prepare you for careers in economics, consulting, data science, and beyond.
Experiential Learning & Practical Skills Development
Throughout the programme, you'll gain real-world competencies that employers actively seek. The curriculum is specifically designed to move beyond theory: you'll work with large amounts of data, develop programming skills, and learn presentation and negotiation techniques that are essential in today's business environment. The programme's three-level structure—foundation, broadening perspectives, and producing results—ensures that by your final year, you're applying everything you've learned to a substantial bachelor's thesis on an economic topic, giving you genuine research experience.
The practical focus extends across multiple dimensions of your education:
- Data Analytics and Programming: Compulsory courses in Data Analytics, Data Handling, and Introduction to Programming ensure you can work with modern economic tools and datasets
- Small group learning environment: Classes maintain small group sizes that promote active exchange among students and direct contact with lecturers, fostering collaborative problem-solving
- Contextual Studies programme: Beyond economics courses, you'll develop soft skills and social competencies through dedicated contextual studies worth 24 ECTS credits
- Flexible semester structure: The concentration of compulsory courses in semesters three and four allows you to freely organize semesters five and six—ideal for completing an exchange semester or pursuing internships
- Career and Corporate Services (CSC-HSG): Dedicated experts support your career planning through interview training, CV optimization, and numerous workshops
- Economics Career Evening: An exclusive event where you connect directly with company representatives from various sectors to explore internship and entry-level opportunities
- HSG community access: As a student, you benefit from connections to lecturers, alumni, and partner organisations through the broader HSG network
For more information on university facilities and resources available to support your studies, visit the official HSG facilities directory.
Graduates of the Bachelor’s in Economics leave the programme with strong analytical and data skills, as well as a deep understanding of economic systems. This prepares you for roles such as Economist, Data Analyst, Consultant, and Financial Analyst in both private and public sectors, from leading financial firms to government agencies and international organisations. The degree also provides a smooth springboard into specialised master’s studies in economics, finance, or research-driven fields.
Future Progression & Opportunities:
Here’s why employers value this degree and how the university supports your career path:
Further Academic Progression:
After completing your Bachelor’s, you can continue at the University of St.Gallen into its own Master in Economics without extra admission requirements—a natural next step if you want to specialise further in economics and policy. Alternatively, you could apply for the Master in Quantitative Economics and Finance, which focuses on quantitative methods and prepares you for analytical or research careers. Graduates also often pursue master’s degrees at top universities abroad or PhD programmes if they are interested in research or academia.
HSG Admission testA foreign upper secondary school leaving certificate must be essentially equivalent to the Swiss Maturity Certificate, with subjects, hours, and school years taken into account during assessment.Egyptian students, an upper secondary school-leaving certificate with an 80% average, a university admission certificate in the chosen subject from a recognised Egyptian university, and the Complementary Examination (ECUS) are required.For applicants from Canada, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, a university degree of at least three years plus completion of the HSG selection procedure is required.Turkish applicants, an upper secondary school-leaving certificate, a university admission certificate to a four-year programme in the chosen subject from a recognised Turkish university, and completion of the HSG selection procedure are required.US applicants, an upper secondary school-leaving certificate, Advanced Placement (AP) tests in six independent general education subjects each with a minimum grade of 3, and completion of the HSG selection procedure are required.Data ScienceConsultingExpertMaster’s StudentCentral BanksPublic AdministrationSwiss National BankEuropean Central BankSECOCompetition Commission WEKOInternational OrganisationsBanking IndustryResearch InstitutionsIT Transformation ManagerResearch Analyst Sector EconomicsInvestment Banking Analyst
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