questions
Frequently Asked Questions | About HBS
Our business school is located in the heart of Vevey, a beautiful city with stunning scenery located on Lake Geneva that provides high quality of living and an equally rich culture. The business school is also located near the cities of Geneva and Lausanne, which are large business hubs, providing ample opportunities for internships and networking with industry professionals.
Our exact address is Av. du Général-Guisan 58, 1800 Vevey
Our exact address is Av. du Général-Guisan 58, 1800 Vevey
If you require more information regarding a specific course, simply fill out this form and we will send you the requested program overview. However, if you have specific questions that are unique to your case or are not available online, you can send us an email under @hbs.swiss or book a call.
Admissions and Applications
Yes, application fees must be received by HBS in order to start reviewing your application.
Simply click on the link below to start your application at HBS. Please note, all information need to be filled out in order to start processing your application. We will notify you if there are any missing information or documents.
The general requirements to apply at HBS are as follows:
1) Application Form: Applicants must submit a completed and signed application form.
2) Photographs: Six (6) passport-size photographs must be included with the application form that is submitted to HBS. Most of these photos are required by the local authorities and for student visas.
3) Recommendations: Two (2) confidential letters of recommendation from instructors or employers who are familiar with the applicant’s past performance. Certified translations must also be submitted for all letters not in English.
4) Résumé or CV: A brief written account of the applicant’s strengths and accomplishments. Include personal details, education, work experience, other qualifications and career expectations.
5) Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts for all applicable academic work done at the secondary or university-level institutions in the past five (5) years. Certified translations must also be submitted for all documents not in English.
6) Motivation Letter: The essay or motivation letter should be at least 500 words in length. You should tell the story of your academic development and any other work experience you have had in a first-person narrative. You should explain your reasons for applying and how you expect HBS to further improve your present career goals.
7) Evidence of sufficient financial means:
Bank statement, sponsor letter, etc.
8) Language Proficiency: Proficiency will normally be recognized if students have completed any of the following conditions:
If none of these conditions apply, proof of proficiency in English must be provided by achieving the appropriate score on one of the following:
1) Application Form: Applicants must submit a completed and signed application form.
2) Photographs: Six (6) passport-size photographs must be included with the application form that is submitted to HBS. Most of these photos are required by the local authorities and for student visas.
3) Recommendations: Two (2) confidential letters of recommendation from instructors or employers who are familiar with the applicant’s past performance. Certified translations must also be submitted for all letters not in English.
4) Résumé or CV: A brief written account of the applicant’s strengths and accomplishments. Include personal details, education, work experience, other qualifications and career expectations.
5) Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts for all applicable academic work done at the secondary or university-level institutions in the past five (5) years. Certified translations must also be submitted for all documents not in English.
6) Motivation Letter: The essay or motivation letter should be at least 500 words in length. You should tell the story of your academic development and any other work experience you have had in a first-person narrative. You should explain your reasons for applying and how you expect HBS to further improve your present career goals.
7) Evidence of sufficient financial means:
Bank statement, sponsor letter, etc.
8) Language Proficiency: Proficiency will normally be recognized if students have completed any of the following conditions:
- Attendance for at least three recent full years of study in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Obtaining Standard level or higher, in the International Baccalaureate (IB).
If none of these conditions apply, proof of proficiency in English must be provided by achieving the appropriate score on one of the following:
- At least 550 score in a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- At least 6.0 score in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Proficiency will normally be recognized if the student has completed any of the following conditions:
If none of these conditions apply, proof of proficiency in English must be provided by achieving the appropriate score on one of the following:
- Attendance for at least three recent full years of study in an institution where the sole language of instruction is English.
- Obtaining Standard level or higher, in the International Baccalaureate (IB).
If none of these conditions apply, proof of proficiency in English must be provided by achieving the appropriate score on one of the following:
- At least 550 score in a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- At least 6.0 score in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Yes, HBS may accept transfer credits from other recognized and accredited colleges and universities. Advanced placement (AP) credits obtained at the high school level may be applied to an undergraduate program.
Examples of where transfer credits have been awarded in the past are often 13th year programs such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) and GCSE A-Levels.
However, please note that that:
Examples of where transfer credits have been awarded in the past are often 13th year programs such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) and GCSE A-Levels.
However, please note that that:
- Transfer credits may only be awarded for a grade of C (76%) or higher.
- All graduating students must complete at least half of their course Academic Credit requirements at HBS.
First of all, Congratulations on receiving your Offer Letter!
All you have to do now is send back the signed Offer Letter after having reviewed it and proceed with paying the Admission Fee to confirm your place.
All you have to do now is send back the signed Offer Letter after having reviewed it and proceed with paying the Admission Fee to confirm your place.
Definitely, we would gladly help you complete your application or answer any concerns or questions you may have. Simply get in touch with anyone from our admissions team or fill out any of the contact forms.
Due to the need to thoroughly evaluate each application, the review process may take some time.
As a result, it may take up to 2 weeks to reach a final decision regarding your application. However, do not worry, a delayed response does not necessarily mean that your application will be rejected.
As a result, it may take up to 2 weeks to reach a final decision regarding your application. However, do not worry, a delayed response does not necessarily mean that your application will be rejected.
Yes, deferrals are possible. However, you may have to complete a new application if you wish to defer your application for more than 1 academic year.
We recommend students to prepare at least three months from application to admission.
Please note that for international students, the visa application process may take longer for international students that.
Please note that for international students, the visa application process may take longer for international students that.
Fees and Finance
After your application has been evaluated and approved, you will get an offer letter where the deadline for the admission fee is stated.
It is important to pay the Admission Fee before the stated deadline to prevent your application from being rejected.
It is important to pay the Admission Fee before the stated deadline to prevent your application from being rejected.
All of your fees can be paid by a Bank Transfer or online using your Credit/Debit card. More details regarding the bank details and payment options can be found on your Offer Letter.
The full amount payable for your tuition fees will be outlined on the offer letter. You can also check them on our Tuition and Fees page.
You can choose to pay either Annually or in instalments
Once we have received proof of your payment, the Admissions Office will contact you about what to do next.
Student Visa and Health Insurance
Every student is required to have health insurance to study in Switzerland, which you will have to do once you arrive in Switzerland.
However, you do not need to worry, as HBS administration will inform and guide you through the process. We are already working with various health insurance providers you can choose from.
However, you do not need to worry, as HBS administration will inform and guide you through the process. We are already working with various health insurance providers you can choose from.
All students except EU/EFTA state members require a visa to enter Switzerland.
After your application is accepted, the Office of Admissions will send you all the information and required documents to submit the Consulate or Embassy of Switzerland in your country.
Please remember that the visa application process may take up to 3 months. Therefore, you need to that into consideration and plan accordingly.
Once you arrive in Switzerland, the Administration team will inform you about how to apply for your Swiss residence permit, which you can use to travel across Switzerland and the Shengen Area.
After your application is accepted, the Office of Admissions will send you all the information and required documents to submit the Consulate or Embassy of Switzerland in your country.
Please remember that the visa application process may take up to 3 months. Therefore, you need to that into consideration and plan accordingly.
Once you arrive in Switzerland, the Administration team will inform you about how to apply for your Swiss residence permit, which you can use to travel across Switzerland and the Shengen Area.
We can help provide the necessary documentation that can support your visa application. However, you will need to make an appointment and inquire about any other specific visa requirements.
You will need to contact the embassy or consulate of Switzerland in your country, which you can find online. You can also contact us, and we will help you with any questions you may have.
Visa applications can take up to 3 months depending on the time of the year and the review procedure at your embassy or consulate.
Please note that we cannot influence or accelerate the process as it is independently processed by the Secretariat of Migration.
Please note that we cannot influence or accelerate the process as it is independently processed by the Secretariat of Migration.
In the case of a rejected visa application, you can still appeal the decision. You should contact the HBS team to guide you through the process.
You will need to contact the embassy or consulate in your country to inquire about any required Fees.
Foreign students can work up to 15hr/week during their studies.
However, Students not from the EU/EFTA will need to wait 6 months after commencing their studies before they are allowed to work.
However, Students not from the EU/EFTA will need to wait 6 months after commencing their studies before they are allowed to work.
The exact date up to which you can stay in Switzerland will be set by the immigration authorities and will be outlined in your Visa. You are not allowed to stay in Switzerland past that date.
Registration and Enrollment
The academic year begins in September and ends in July, with five academic terms and five intakes. The next available starting dates for the academic year 2023 are:
Spring Term 2024
Registration Week: April 15-19
Term Start: April 22
Fall Term 2024
Registration Week: September 03-07
Term Start: September 10
Spring Term 2024
Registration Week: April 15-19
Term Start: April 22
Fall Term 2024
Registration Week: September 03-07
Term Start: September 10
After you arrive in Switzerland, our administration team will go through the registration process with you at HBS.
You will be given your student ID during registration after arriving in Switzerland
You will get your timetable 2 weeks before the starting date of each term.
All information will be given to you through the Student Guide, which you will be receiving before you arrive in Switzerland.
Arrival in Switzerland
Ideally, you should arrive at least 1 week before the start of the term in order to accustom yourself and complete your registration process.
The nearest airport is Geneva airport which is around a 80-85 minute train ride. Although you will find trains directly to Vevey, depending on when you arrive, you might need to take a connecting train from Lausanne.
The Vevey Train Station is a 2-minute walk from the campus, which you can use to go to Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva.
Once you arrive in Switzerland, you will meet the Administration team who will assist you with the registration process as well as assist you in obtaining your Swiss residence permit.