The University of St. Gallen (HSG), based in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, was founded as a "Business Academy" in 1898. The HSG pursues the goal of providing its over 8'500 students with a practice-oriented education, guided by an integrative view of management, economics, law, social sciences and international affairs. With success: The HSG has constantly been ranked among the top business universities in Europe. In the Financial Times Rankings the HSG is ranked 1st worldwide with the Master in Strategy and International Management and 6th with the Master in Banking and Finance. Accrediations by EQUIS and AACSB International underline the commitment to a holistic curriculum that meets the highest academic standards.

The HSG is a bilingual institution and offers programmes at various levels: The Bachelor's courses for undergraduates are taught in German and in English. Eight of the thirteen subsequent Master's programmes (post-graduate programmes) are taught entirely in English. Furthermore, the HSG offers most of the Ph.D. programmes in English. The Executive School of Management, Technology and Law (ES-HSG) provides several courses, e.g. a full-time MBA.