Each spring, students from SMU’s renowned Master of Science in Wealth Management (MWM) programme travel to St.Gallen and Zurich for an intensive week exploring the Swiss wealth management landscape.
Programme focus
Throughout the week, participants examine the foundations and future of intergenerational wealth management, a theme central to Switzerland’s financial industry. With a particular focus on family businesses and family offices, the programme explores how wealth can be preserved and governed across generations, especially in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of family wealth in Europe.
Academic sessions take place on the campus of the University of St.Gallen and are led by HSG faculty members such as Prof. Dr. Stefan Morkötter, Prof. Dr. Thomas Zellweger, Prof. Dr. Damian Borth, and Prof. Dr. Andrea Barbon. Topics typically include Switzerland’s role as a global financial centre, family governance, private equity and venture capital, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence and digital assets on wealth management.
Practitioners’ Day in Zurich
A highlight of the programme is the Practitioners’ Day in Zurich, during which students visit leading Swiss financial institutions, such as Pictet Bank, and attend talks by senior industry leaders from organisations including UBS, Julius Baer, Sygnum, and EFG International. The line-up of host institutions and guest speakers varies from year to year, ensuring that the programme reflects current developments in the industry.
Cultural programme
The academic and professional agenda is complemented by a cultural programme that typically includes a guided tour of the University of St.Gallen, a visit to the town of Appenzell, a behind-the-scenes experience at the Appenzell cheese factory, and a scenic cable car ride to the summit of Mount Säntis.
Students leave Switzerland with broadened perspectives on the European wealth management industry, valuable exposure to leading Swiss practitioners, and a deeper understanding of the Swiss approach to intergenerational wealth management.