Want to build a global career in management, but don’t know where to start? Discover the Master in Strategy and International Management (SIM) programme at the University of St.Gallen (HSG), where you’ll find yourself tackling practical professional issues at the highest academic level. If you’re curious about where one of Europe’s leading business schools can take you, then we’ve compiled a series of questions and answers to address your inquiries.
What makes the SIM at the University of St.Gallen No. 1 worldwide?
For 14 years now, the SIM at HSG has ranked #1 in the world (Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking). Students, or SIMmies as they’re called, find the programme brings exceptional value.
One of the reasons for this can be found in its curriculum – a combination of the research-based, academic rigour of a Master of Arts with the practice-oriented approach of leading MBA programmes. The SIMagination Challenge is an essential curricular pillar of the international flagship programme of HSG. Students work in diverse teams to develop and implement real-world social impact initiatives that address pressing global challenges.
Another key reason is the SIM Community. As many as 32 nationalities are represented in the current cohort that is split equally by gender. During the programme, they learn, share knowledge, and grow together. And when they graduate, alumni continue to support one another. There’s even an annual SIM Community Event, where SIM students, graduates, staff and faculty members come together for an exclusive and interactive event.
In the SIM 2025 cohort, 96% of the community were international students and 50% were female students. Source: University of St.Gallen
Courses are designed to keep pace with a world that’s increasingly digital, focusing on the core disciplines of strategy, leadership, finance, marketing, sustainability, and international management. You can complete your degree in as little as three semesters and graduate with a strategic, innovative mindset that opens up many opportunities across various industries.
Employers like hiring SIMmies as they possess the complete package. They are well-rounded, with strong intercultural skills and agility that complement their technical knowledge. When they advance into their new roles, SIMmies stand out as a respected and responsible managers, entrepreneurs, business consultants, and beyond.
How does SIM aim to grow responsible global leaders in management?
The SIM features a wide range of skill-enhancing workshops and meaningful international experiences. Start with the cohort itself. This is a diverse community of professionals from various backgrounds and 32 different nations. Whether SIMmies hail from Italy, Germany, the Philippines, or Romania, everyone shares the same goals and mindset. They’re here to collaborate, grow together, and build friendships.
With more than 200 partner institutions, HSG opens doors to a wide range of exchange and double degree programmes. These are great for those seeking even more international experiences beyond campus.
You can opt to pursue an exclusive SIM-MBA double degree programme, in which you spend your first year at HSG and the second at a host university. One being INCAE Business School in Costa Rica, which offers a more unique Latin American perspective and a sustainability focus. The second is the Nanyang Business School in Singapore, where you can explore both Asian and European perspectives through an MBA.
HSG holds a Triple Crown accreditation and is one of 33 member schools of the CEMS network — a global alliance in management education. Source: University of St.Gallen
Why do 98% of graduates secure employment within three months of graduation?
Even before graduation, it’s common for SIMmies to have more than one attractive offer, with top starting salaries by global standards, to choose from. Today’s employers need talented executives who are strategic, creative thinkers with strong values and high ambitions – which is precisely what the SIM programme nurtures.
Exclusive career-enhancing initiatives then complement the SIM curriculum. These include advanced skill training, company workshops, one-to-one career counselling, career fairs and company events on campus, SIMtensive German language programme, and career power days.
With a SIM degree in hand and these effective initiatives, SIMmies have built successful careers in top management positions across consulting, financial services, venture capital, healthcare, industry, entrepreneurship and beyond. Employers include Accenture, Allianz, BCG, Deloitte, Google, Microsoft, Philips, UBS, and more.
How can I apply for SIM at the University of St.Gallen?
Candidates will need to have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field from a recognised university or university of applied sciences. They may also apply to the SIM if they have completed a consecutive master’s degree in a different field. Other criteria that will be considered upon application include GMAT or GRE scores, GPA from undergraduate studies, extracurricular activities and work experience, as well as a video interview.
Want to advance your career? Learn more about the SIM at the University of St.Gallen today.
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