HELVET'S
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF GOVERNANCE, GENEVA
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
PhD PROGRAMME
Applicants must produce the transcript of a Master’s degree earned at an accredited public or private higher education establishment, in the same discipline as for the PhD considered, or in a closely related discipline.
Admission is conditional upon ISGG’s approval, based on the candidate’s academic record, the merits of his/her research proposal, and estimated chances of bringing a sustained effort such as a PhD dissertation to a successful conclusion. The selection process may include an interview designed to evaluate the candidate’s motivation, interests, career intent, and firmness of purpose.
For proficiency requirements in at least one of the two teaching languages, see The School/Frequently Asked Questions/Is proof of proficiency in either English or French required ?
MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMMES
Applicants for admission to a two-year online Master’s degree programme must produce the transcript of a Bachelor’s degree earned at an accredited public or private higher education establishment, in a social science discipline, or with a major in social science.
Admission is conditional upon ISGG’s approval, based on the candidate’s academic record.
For proficiency requirements in at least one of the two teaching languages, see The School/Frequently Asked Questions/Is proof of proficiency in either English or French required ?
EXECUTIVE MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMMES
Applicants for admission to a one-year online Executive Master’s degree programme must produce (1) the transcript of a Bachelor’s degree earned at an accredited public or private higher education establishment, in a social science discipline, or with a major in social science ; and (2) a 5-page document outlining their professional track-record.
Admission is conditional upon ISGG’s approval, based on the candidate’s academic record.
For proficiency requirements in at least one of the two teaching languages, see The School/Frequently Asked Questions/Is proof of proficiency in either English or French required ?
VALIDATION OF EXPERIENCE PROCEDURE
No minimum level of academic attainment is required. However, full command of English or French is necessary. The process starts with a short note sent attached to an e-mail to the Chancellor’s Office (chancellor@isgg.ch), specifying (in either language) the reasons why the benefit of the validation procedure is being sought.
If the application is granted, the next step consists in the production of a dossier of some 50 pages in length, which is expected to detail the candidate’s professional record ; dwell on ascertainable, duly documented, strengths in it ; insist on the lessons the applicant thinks can be drawn from her or his achievements in terms of action and practical or scholarly knowledge when it comes to the above-mentioned domains ; finally, it should elaborate upon the personal project behind his or her quest of a degree obtained through this validation process.
Subject to favourable preliminary assessments by two ISGG professors, the procedure is finally allowed to proceed to its last leg : a public oral defence of her or his dossier by the applicant before a committee made up of one ISGG academic and two outside experts.
ON-SITE CUSTOMIZED TRAINING SESSIONS
ISGG does not impose requirements other than those applied by the institution from which it has received the training mandate. However, a fair command of the language (English or French) set for the session is strongly advised.