Project Description
Starting dates
Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system (1 quarter = 10 weeks). Because of the program’s flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available at the start of every Quarter and of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.
Program duration
Part-time students can earn a Graduate Certificate in 3 to 12 months, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection and the course planning; completing half the typical number of courses equals twice the duration of the full-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.
Teaching schedule
Courses are available in various formats, including daytime courses between 8.30 and 18.30, seminar courses with visiting professors on consecutive days, online courses available 24/7, and at certain campuses also evening courses from 19.00 to 22.00 and weekend courses on Saturdays, or any combination in a blended format. Courses are scheduled typically in sessions of 3 hours each. Connect with an admissions advisor, or refer to the course planning once enrolled to find out more about course availability in specific formats throughout the academic year.
Program language
All courses are taught entirely in English across the campus network. Students should have a certain proficiency in English when they start. Refer to the Admissions Catalog for further details. Typically, non-native speakers who studied in English before or those who had advanced English lessons during previous studies, and with sufficient confidence, perform well. Because of the multi-cultural environment, only a relatively small percentage of students are native speakers.
Campus locations
Study programs are offered at several campus locations. All campus locations offer an identical study program and follow the same program structure. Students are encouraged to transfer between campus locations.
Global study trip
Each academic year, students from all campuses in Europe, as well as students from our academic partners can join our Global Study Trip to Tokyo, Japan. The weeklong trip is packed with cultural excursions, company visits, social activities and an Asian Management seminar.
Application deadlines
Our Admissions Department applies a rolling admissions process and does not set deadlines to submit applications because of the multiple starting dates available. Applications are reviewed continuously troughout the year. Only in case a student visa is required do we recommend to apply 1-3 months prior to the intended starting date.
Admission requirements
Students should be fluent in English, and have obtained a Bachelor degree (or equivalent). Refer to the application process for further details on the recommended English language levels.
Degrees with 180 European credits or 120 American semester credits are considered equivalent. Other degrees can be submitted along with your application for review by our Admissions Department. No distinction is made between academic or professional Bachelor degrees.
Students who do not hold a business-related Bachelor degree or equivalent may be required to complete an inbound assessment test prior to starting the program, and, depending on the results, earn an additional number of credits in leveling courses from the Pre-Master foundation program in order to be fully prepared for our graduate programs.
Students who have 15 or more years of relevant work experience may apply directly for the Pre-Master program and will be required to complete an inbound assessment test prior to starting the graduate program, and, depending on the results, earn an additional number of credits in specific undergraduate courses
Admissions catalog
The Admissions Catalog is the most comprehensive overview of all programs and courses offered by the school, and also includes all information regarding the admission process. Contact our Admissions Department in case of inconsistencies with the website.
Program fees
Program fees are calculated pro-rata per campus where the student completed courses and earned credits. The total fees are due payable on a quarterly basis on a fixed payment schedule. Program fees cover matriculation and tuition fees but do not include the cost of living, housing, travel, transport, health insurance, study materials and other expenses. For more details, refer to the document attached.
Credit system
Master programs consist of 60 European credits, equivalent to 40 American semester credits. Courses are assigned a number of credits, indicating the estimated workload. Each credit equals up to 30 learning hours, including contact hours, exam hours, self-study hours and group-study hours. Contact hours vary depending on total student enrollments per course. The workload of a typical full-time graduate student amounts to 20 credits and 600 learning hours per quarter, for a total of 60 credits and 1800 learning hours.
| Program | European Credits (ECTS) | American quarter credits | American semester credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master | 60 | 60 | 40 |
| Certificate | 12 | 12 | 8 |
Grading system
Students are assessed on a combination of attendance, participation, individual assignments, group assignments and exams. Assignments may include reading materials, term papers, reports, presentations, and others. The combination of these assessments provides students with an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. The minimum passing grade is D (60%). In case of an FX grade, students have the option to request a second exam in order to obtain the minimum passing grade of 60%.
| Percentage | Grade | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 90 to 99 | A | Excellent |
| 80 to 89 | B | Good |
| 70 to 79 | C | Average |
| 60 to 69 | D | Poor |
| 50 to 59 | FX | Unsatisfactory |
| 0 to 49 | F | Fail |
Honor system
Students who achieve a certain GPA (Grade Point Average, or the weighted average of all grades earned, calculated on a 4.0 scale), will have their academic honors listed on the academic transcript issued together with the diploma.
| Percentage | GPA | Academic Honors |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 3.6 | Summa Cum Laude |
| 85 | 3.4 | Magna Cum Laude |
| 80 | 3.2 | Cum Laude |
Academic degree
Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international Graduate Certificate in Business Studies awarded by the school’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned. Learn more about the school’s academic degrees and accreditation.
Program content
Program requirements
| Courses | Credits | |
| Electives | 12 | 24 |
| Total | 12 | 24 |
|---|
These requirements are valid for all students starting in October 2020 or later. Students who started prior to this date should refer to the Student Guide for the valid program requirements. While all efforts have been made to ensure that the program requirements and course overviews are complete and accurate at the time of publication, we reserve the right to make changes to the curriculum without prior notice. The various courses listed below are subject to change and availability. Availability is subject to student enrollment and professor availability.
Electives
Electives can be any course scheduled that does not already count towards other program requirements.
Extra-Curricular
- Career Seminar (0 EC)
Program options
The Study Abroad option allows students to transfer for one or more quarters to another campus without experiencing program interruptions or extensions. Courses and programs remain fully compatible across all campuses, however not all specializations are available at all campuses. Refer to the program schedule for further details.
Students who prefer shorter study abroad experiences can join seminar courses taught by visiting professors at any of our campuses instead, at one or more times during the program.
Private Tutoring and Private Coaching
The Private Tutoring and Private Coaching options allow students to schedule additional one-on-one sessions with professors or study coaches to catch up on missed contact hours or to receive additional academic support. Sessions are charged per hour and take place on-campus at a time that is convenient for both the student and professor or coach.
The Internship option encourages students to put their skills and knowledge into practice through offers received by our Careers Department from regional and international companies and organizations. No credits can be awarded for internships. Internship agreements of up to 3 months are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit and cannot be considered for a student visa extension.
