The Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences has three campuses, one in Buchs, one in Rapperswil and one in St.Gallen. So far, the Department of Social Work is only represented at the St.Gallen campus.
The city of St.Gallen lies between the Lake Constance and the imposing backdrop of the Alpstein massif. It is a city of education: During the semester, over 10,000 students live in the city. St.Gallen is characterised by a wide range of cultural activities, from theatre and museums to concert venues and festivals. St.Gallen is part of a region with an extensive range of leisure activities. The shores of the nearby Lake Constance attract visitors with outdoor swimming pools and water sports facilities. The rural surroundings of St.Gallen are a popular hiking and cycling area.
Students from our partner universities have the opportunity to spend up to two semesters of theoretical and/or practical training at the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences. A maximum of one semester is planned for the master's programme.
"Guest students have a wide choice of modules from different semesters at their disposal. Accompanied self-study in each module is an ideal way of deepening their knowledge in certain subject areas."
Ira Bösch, FH Vorarlberg, Bachelor student
The required workload for exchange students is defined by the home university's guidelines. We recommend that incoming students take a maximum of 24 to 30 ECTS credits per semester. On the basis of a Learning Agreement, courses should be selected before arrival. If necessary, changes to the Learning Agreement can be made up to two weeks after the regular semester has started.
Exchange students can start the application process as soon as they are nominated by their home institution. In order to get the process started, we require the following forms an documents:
The regular registration procedures take place at the end of February and beginning of March (calendar weeks 8/9) for the autumn semester, and at the end of September and beginning of October (calendar weeks 38/39) for the spring semester. Regristrations for exchange students are nevertheless accepted until mid-July and mid-November, respectively.
If you want to complete and internship, we will provide you with addresses and descriptions of the internship positions. Ideally, you should get in tough with us before the last week of January (calendar week 4) for an internship in the autumn semester, or before the last week of June (calendar week 26) for an internshipd in the spring semester. Please apply directly for the respective positions (in writing). An agreement will be set up between you, the organisation and OST. You will then be assigned to a supervision group.
The semester dates can be seen here:
The Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences does not offer accommodation. Apartments ranging from 500 to 700 euros can be rented through a home agency. All guest students have their own room, kitchen and bathroom are shared with other exchange students. The accommodations are fully furnished and have Wi-Fi. The registration deadlines are 15 May and 15 October.
For exchange students who prefer to find their own accommodation, we recommend the following websites:
Please note that OST is not responsible for the content of these sites.
On February 26th 2014, after the acceptance of the federal popular initiative «against mass immigration», the European Commission announced that Switzerland's status in Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ would be downgraded from «Associated» to «Third country».
The Swiss Federal Council decided to develop a temporary solution to finance Switzerland's indirect participation in the EU's programme. The amount granted to incomings students and faculty members will be determined before ach avademic year and will be paid by the FHS St.Gallen. The students will continue to pay their regular home university tuition fees and remain registered there. A tuition fee will thus not have to be payed to OST.
Grants (per month)
Students (depending on country of origin): CHF 380 - CHF 440
Traineeship: CHF 440
The Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences offers lecturers and other staff from partner universities the opportunity to come to St.Gallen as part of a teaching assignment or working visit*. The Swiss counterpart to Erasmus, the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP), provides financial support for such stays.
Are you interested? We look forward to your e-mail to io-socialwork@ost.ch.
*Working visits can also be arranged with members of other universities or company representatives.
OST - Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences
International Office Social Work
Campus St.Gallen
Rosenbergstrasse 59, 9001 St.Gallen
io-socialwork@ost.ch