Diploma in Sustainable Business
The Diploma in Sustainable Business is a joint program of Business School Lausanne and the Institute for Economy and the Environment of University of St. Gallen (IWÖ-HSG), and is endorsed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
This is a one-year, part-time executive program which includes not only subject knowledge in the field of sustainable business, but also leading change and project management experience as part of the course.
A 10-month team consulting project in the area of business sustainability is an integral part of the Diploma in Sustainable Business program. It is a unique opportunity for participants to engage in real-life projects with companies and work as advisors on strategic sustainability problems. Consulting projects include a wide range of relevant issues in product development, purchasing, supply chain, market analysis, labelling, employer branding, and communications. They are carried out by small, international and multifunctional teams of students (3-5 course participants) who work closely with the sponsoring company and are guided by the BSL-University of St. Gallen experienced faculty throughout the complete project cycle.
The projects allow participants to increase their work experience prior to graduation, expand their professional network, and enhance their long-term career possibilities.
Participants who have successfully completed the program are awarded a Diploma in Sustainable Business by BSL and the University of St. Gallen.
New: The modular format of the program allows you to attend a course of your interest as a separate 2-day seminar. You can sign up for any seminar included in our offering or request a customized training tailored to the specific needs of your company (a minimum number of 8 participants is required).
Completing a single 2-day course will not only provide you with knowledge and insight on a specific topic, but can also help you assess whether the program is a good fit for you.
Consulting Projects:
The Diploma in Sustainable Business program includes a 10-month team consulting project with a real company and consulting contract in the area of business sustainability. The project consists of approximately 250 hours and replaces the traditional thesis. The Consulting Project significantly complements the 13 specialization modules in Sustainable Business, ensuring that you have not only acquired a broad expertise in sustainability, but have also completed a complex real-life consulting project during your studies.
This has two direct benefits to you:
you can apply what you learn in a real-life situation and
you can claim to have already first-hand experience in business sustainability when you are looking for jobs.
The projects are given by companies that present a broad sustainability problem with strategic relevance to their organization. This is assigned to teams of 3-5 course participants as their main consultancy project. The teams are guided by our experienced faculty (BSL- University of St. Gallen) that provides continuous support and feedback throughout the program. The project is to be completed between in September and June with two intermediate presentations in December and in March and the final presentation in June.
Consulting Project Examples Conducted Within The Diploma In Sustainable Business Program:
Project examples 2015-16
- Nestlé Consulting Project
- Swiss Post Consulting Project
- The Coca Cola Company Consulting Project
- 0BSH Hausgeräte Consulting Project
Project examples 2012-13
- Die Post Consulting Project
- Dedalo Consulting Project
- BSL Consulting Project
- University of St. Gallen Consulting Project
Project examples 2014-15
- Unilever Consulting Project
- HP Consulting Project
- Schweizer Metallbau Consulting Project
Project examples 2013-14
- nolax AG Consulting Project
- Zurich Insurance Group Consulting Project
- BSL Consulting Project
Project examples 2011-12
- Ernst Schweizer AG, Metallbau Consulting Project
- Swiss Energy Agency Consulting Project
- SBB Consulting Project
Program Format
The Diploma in Sustainable Business is a 10-month program including a consulting project focused on sustainability. The curriculum includes 13 two-day modules (each module involves 30 hours of pre- and post-course work), and a 10-month real-life project of approximately 250 hours, replacing the traditional thesis. Classes are scheduled on weekends, with some combined modules taking place over three days (Thursday – Sunday).
- The program starts in September of each year.
- Program credits
- 30 ECTS
Learning Methodology
- Real-life project work for the duration of program
- Applied learning environment focused on exercises, teamwork and simulations
- Reflective learning through journal writing
- Education approach that includes three learning perspectives (global, strategic, business)
Courses and Curriculum
- Module 1: The Big Picture of Sustainability Challenges
- Module 2: Leading Change I and Project Experience I
- Module 3: Best Practices in Sustainability Strategies
- Module 4: Sustainability Tools and Frameworks
- Module 5: Leading Change II and Project Review I
- Module 6: Responsible Leadership and Global Stakeholder Challenges
- Module 7: The Business Case for Sustainability
- Module 8: Making Supply Chains Sustainable
- Module 9: Measuring Sustainability Performance
- Module 10: Leading Change III and Project Review II: Understanding & Applying
- Module 11: Sustainability Marketing and Communications
- Module 12: Social Entrepreneurship
- Module 13: Leading Change IV and Final Project Presentations: Integration and next steps
Executive MBA (EMBA)
The Executive Master of Business Administration program (EMBA) is the link between your current professional experience and your future. Our EMBA program provides you with a solid business foundation, allowing you to perform effectively in all areas of any organization.
When designing our EMBA program, we took into consideration the input of 30 international CEOs and HR-directors on the top 3 qualities of future leaders.
The result is a program that combines essential soft and hard skills that shape you into a self-aware, responsible management professional and gives you the foundation to grow as a leader.
A part-time study program
- Professors are seasoned business practitioners. Their real-life personal successes and first-hand experience help to illustrate the current state of affairs in the business world.
- Practical learning including real-life simulations, strategy games, case studies and guest speakers.
- An opportunity to prove your ability in a real-life consulting project at your company or a project of your choice, and in turn broadening your employment possibilities in an existing or new role.
Experiential Learning
- Mature class with an average of 12 years’ business experience.*
- Participants coming from 15 countries, allowing you to develop an important global network for life.
- Small classes with a maximum of 20 students.
- * the minimum required amount of professional experience is 5 years, including some managerial experience.
Diverse and Experienced Group
Leadership skills
We believe that success is determined by good leader who possess certain leadership characteristics. We take leadership skills as seriously as subject knowledge and have integrated personal leadership modules into the program, representing 40% of our EMBA foundation courses. Leadership development is first and foremost about personal development.
- Ability to lead and be flexible to change
- Be an authentic communicator
- Ability to easily adapt to different perspectives
- The program is designed to develop these three competences.
Our way of applying this is by integrating the top 3 requirements as defined by the CEOs who were in collaboration with the program design:
Executive MBA in Sustainable Business
The Executive MBA in Sustainable Business offers the traditional Executive MBA path and an additional one-year Diploma in Sustainable Business.
The Executive Master in Business Administration program (EMBA) is the link between your current professional experience and your future. Our EMBA program provides you with a solid business foundation, allowing you to perform effectively in all areas of any organization.
The Diploma in Sustainable Business focusses on how companies can adapt their strategy and operations to embrace sustainability challenges and to manage the risks and opportunities in a responsible way.
The result is a program that shapes you into a self-aware, sustainability-conscious management professional and gives you the foundation to grow as a leader.
What makes this program different?
You will graduate with an EMBA from BSL and a Diploma in Sustainable Business from BSL and the University of St. Gallen.
- Professors are seasoned business practitioners. Their real-life personal successes and first-hand experience help to illustrate the current state of affairs in the business world.
- Practical learning including real-life simulations, strategy games, case studies and guest speakers.
- An opportunity to prove your ability in a real-life consulting project at your company or a project of your choice, and in turn broadening your employment possibilities in an existing or new role.
Experiential Learning
- Mature class with an average of 20 years’ business experience.
- Participants coming from 15 countries, allowing you to develop an important global network for life.
- Small classes with a maximum of 20 students.
Diverse and Experienced Group
SEM Management Seminars
We provide executive training and development through our fully accredited MBA program. Our MBA modules are given as 3-day Management Seminars and provide a cost-effective way for professionals to strengthen their management and leadership skills.
The BSL Management Seminars integrate the latest management thinking and provide tools and techniques to enhance individual and team performance in all business areas.
We provide companies with the opportunity to take any seminar as a customized training designed to address specific needs and interests. Learn more about our corporate collaborations.
- The Management Seminars are individual modules of our MBA program, delivering the same quality of in-depth learning. Each module is worth 3 MBA credits and is accumulative towards an eventual MBA degree.
- When designing our MBA program, we took into consideration the input of 30 international CEOs and HR-directors, on the top 3 qualities of future leaders. As a result, each MBA module, given as a 3-day management seminar, combines essential soft and hard skills that shape you into a self-aware, responsible management professional and gives you the foundation to grow as a leader.
- With the added bonus of MBA quality, the Management Seminars also provide interaction and learning within a group of diverse (10+ nationalities) and experienced (average of 9 years’ business experience) MBA participants.
- This level of maturity, extensive management experience and diversity provides seminar participants with unique perspectives to problem solving during the training course. It also helps them expand their global network and build on business opportunities for collaborations.
MBA Quality
Interaction With MBA Participants
- BSL creates a highly effective learning environment where seminar participants interact with current MBA students and acquire knowledge and skills through practice. Our experiential learning approach includes group assignments and presentations, case studies, real-life simulations and guest speakers.
- Upon completion of each seminar, participants walk away with practical knowledge and directly applicable skills that allow them to enhance their career development.
- All Management Seminars are delivered by seasoned business practitioners with an extensive track record of success in business in two or more countries. In line with the school’s pragmatic approach, they have been carefully selected based on their abilities to combine real-life experience with training and development.
- Upon completion of each seminar, participants receive a certificate worth 3 ECTS credits, which may be applied towards an MBA degree.
Practical and Applied Learning
Delivered by Seasoned Business Practitioners
MBA Credits
Continuing Education
BSL offers a broad range of continuing education programs for young professionals with some work experience who seek an additional qualification in a chosen field of study. Applicants for all programs listed below must have either a Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of work experience or a High School Degree or Apprenticeship with 6+ years of experience. These programs are only available to Swiss citizens or EU passport holders due to due to visa restrictions of the Swiss Embassy, related to the number of hours of academic study per year.
- Participants can take a single course chosen from the CAS course list.
- Number of courses: 1
- Credits: 5 ECTS
- Duration: 10 weeks, part-time
- Cost: 2,000 CHF
- Start dates: September, November, February and May depending on the course
Single CAS Course
- Any combination of 2 CAS programs leads to a DAS in Business & Management.
- Number of courses: 6s
- Credits: 30 ECTS
- Duration: 40 weeks, part-time
- Cost: 12,000 CHF; an additional fee of 800 CHF is payable for issuance of degree
- Start dates: every September, November, February and May
Diploma Of Advanced Studies (DAS)
Certificate Of Advanced Studies (CAS)
The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) is a postgraduate academic qualification. CAS programs offer specialized knowledge, enabling students to acquire additional qualification in a certain subject area and enhance their professional development. Read more about the CAS programs.
Number of courses: 3
Credits: 15 ECTS
Duration: 20 weeks, part-time
Cost: 6,000 CHF; an additional fee of 800 CHF is payable for issuance of degree
Start dates: every September, November, February and May
- CAS in Project Management
- CAS in Business Strategy
- CAS in Leadership & Management
- CAS in Sustainable Finance
CAS In Project Management
- The CAS in Project Management equips you with specialized project management knowledge and transferable skills applied in any industry and job function. The program includes the following 3 courses:
- This course aims at developing a key understanding of economic principles and their application to managerial decision making in a global business context. The course includes learning the principles of economic analysis and model building; examining the macroeconomic environment of business in view of domestic and international macroeconomic policies; analyzing the market environment in which a business operates; and developing academic research and writing skills with applications in economics.
Economics for Business
Managing Information Systems
This module covers all the fundamentals of Management information Systems. The purpose of this course is, to, in-depth, explore how business firms use (can use) information technologies and systems to achieve their organization’s objectives.
How managers with adequate information from powerful Databases and related IT systems do (may) reach operational excellence, develop new products and services, improve their decision-making and achieve competitive advantage.
Project Management
This module covers all the fundamentals of contemporary Project Management. The purpose of this course is to help students use Project Management ‘style’ in a variety of modern organizations and in international business context. It comprises processes, techniques and tools integrated with team dynamics, leadership role and customer focus dimensions.
Trade-offs between the triple constraints (scope, time, cost), identifying and managing risks, tackling frequent changes and negotiating complex issues are, constantly, the challenges of today’s competitive project manager environment.
Practical Information
Number of courses: 3
Credits: 15 ECTS
Duration: 20 weeks, part-time
Cost: 6,000 CHF; an additional fee of 800 CHF is payable for issuance of degree
Start dates: every September, November, February and May
Strategic & Systemic Thinking
When to apply: The application process is ongoing throughout the year. Applicants must send their application at least 4 weeks before the start of a course and ensure payment of the course fee at least 2 weeks before the program start.
- Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of work experience, OR High School Diploma / Apprenticeship with 6+ years of work experience
- Sufficient English knowledge to follow the course in English – to be confirmed by a satisfactory grade obtained in first course
- CV
- Completed Application Form
What You Need To Apply:
CAS in Business Strategy
The CAS in Project Management equips you with specialized project management knowledge and transferable skills applied in any industry and job function. The program includes the following 3 courses:
Strategic & Systemic Thinking
One of the biggest breakthroughs in how we understand and guide change in organizations is systems theory and systems thinking. Systemic thinking is a way to view systems from a broad perspective that includes seeing overall structures, patterns and cycles, rather than seeing only specific events in the system. This course equips students with a sound understanding of how systems work and enhances their skills to use systems thinking and systems tools in organizations.
Marketing Strategy
The course provides participants with the tools for analyzing an organization’s current situation and proposes various strategies to enhance company performance and sustain competitive advantage.
Students will learn to develop differentiated positioning in a cost-effective way; use customer behavior and consumer insight for marketing planning; and generate innovative solutions by using secondary data and consumer trends.
Strategic Management
This module covers all fundamentals of corporate and business strategy. The purpose of the course is to integrate Finance, Marketing, Operations and HR in creating strategic value for the organization.
Participants will learn how companies plan and implement strategies that will grow value to all stakeholders.
Practical Information
Number of courses: 3
Credits: 15 ECTS
Duration: 20 weeks, part-time
Cost: 6,000 CHF; an additional fee of 800 CHF is payable for issuance of degree
Start dates: every September, November, February and May
When to apply:The application process is ongoing throughout the year. Applicants must send their application at least 4 weeks before the start of a course and ensure payment of the course fee at least 2 weeks before the program start.
- Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of work experience, OR High School Diploma / Apprenticeship with 6+ years of work experience
- Sufficient English knowledge to follow the course in English – to be confirmed by a satisfactory grade obtained in first course
- CV
- Completed Application Form
What you need to apply:
CAS In Sustainable Finance
The CAS in Sustainable Finance introduces a holistic perspective on mainstream financial theory by integrating key principles of sustainability and shared value. The program includes the following 3 courses:
Financial Analysis and Sectoral Materiality
In this course, students will acquire a good understanding of financial reporting mechanisms and will learn how to use major financial statements in the context of standards convergence, including methods and applications of financial analysis and basic ratios used in securities analysis.The course also introduces metrics to gain information on the sustainability impact in evaluations of financial analyses and reports. It offers insight into the emblematic sustainability issues that affect every sector of the economy and the finance industry, and how these can be reflected in financial reporting.
Portfolio Management and Global Challenges
Students will learn classical approaches to portfolio optimization and concrete tools and methods to develop technical trading and investment decisions and strategies. They will gain a thorough understanding of the major approaches to technical analysis of stocks, bonds, currencies and commodities.
The course also considers the frontiers of efficiency and links value to investment decisions, and it introduces analytical skills to evaluate different impacts on returns and sustainability of investment strategies. Finally, students will acquire the skills to evaluate potential investments, such as in listed equity securities, so as to determine the intrinsic value of any type of investment.
Responsible Investing Towards Sustainability
Responsible investing is presented in light of extra-financial factors that have an impact on economics and financial performance. Introducing these, the course presents a conceptual approach to different types of financial risks and students will become familiar with practical examples for their implementation.
The course considers risk management of equities, as well as of fixed income instruments and derivatives, including value at risk and other popular risk measures. It addresses some limits to arbitrage and endogenous risks that are considered within sustainability concepts. The course also introduces regulations for enterprises and financial institutions, as well as policies for environmental and social protection.
Practical Information
Number of courses: 3
Credits: 15 ECTS
Duration: 20 weeks, part-time; class attendance requires 8 hours (one full day) every week or every two weeks depending on the term
Cost: 6,000 CHF; an additional fee of 800 CHF is payable for issuance of degree
Start dates: every September, November, February and May
When to apply: The application process is ongoing throughout the year. Applicants must send their application at least 4 weeks before the start of a course and ensure payment of the course fee at least 2 weeks before the program start.
- Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of work experience, OR High School Diploma / Apprenticeship with 6+ years of work experience
- Sufficient English knowledge to follow the course in English – to be confirmed by a satisfactory grade obtained in first course
- CV
- Completed Application Form