Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics
Wanted - thinking on a global scale
Alongside well-founded basic training in economics, business administration and empirical methods, students can select academic foci in a variety of areas such as institutional economics, European integration or development economics.
English language courses from guest lecturers, courses in Business English and the possibility of a semester abroad top off your international education. A good degree qualifies students for one of the two master's degree programmes in economics at Göttingen as well as for the M.Sc. in Applied Statistics or the M.Sc. in Taxation.
General information
- Field of study: Economics (B.A.)
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Language: German
- Typical length of study: 6 semesters
- Start: Winter and summer semester
- Admission: 1st semester: limited admission (application to the university) 3rd semester: limited admission (application to the university) Foreign applicants: limited admission (application to the university)
The bachelor's programme in economics is an ideal course of study for students aiming to gain a strong academic and professional competencies in economics. Acquiring these key competencies also prepares students to apply for the prestigious master's programmes in international economics (German-language programme) and in development economics (English-language programme) offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics.
The bachelor's programme in economics is structured to equip students with key skills applied in the field of economics. One of the most important skills is the ability to apply scientific methods to analyse economic issues concerning modern national economies, such as the terms of price stability, the effects of public debt, or to estimate the optimal amount of social benefits in a society. The courses also prepare students with an understanding of business planning and decision-making as well as language skills in business English.
The programme is formally structured and ECTS credit points are earned throughout the entire course of study. The course ends when a total of 180 credits are completed.
A prerequisite for the programme is a sound knowledge of English, mathematics, statistics and computing. Applicants who do not fulfil these requirements are recommended to take the necessary steps in order to be adequately prepared prior to commencement of their studies.
The programme is formally structured and ECTS credit points are earned throughout the entire course of study. The course ends when a total of 180 credits are completed.
A prerequisite for the programme is a sound knowledge of English, mathematics, statistics and computing. Applicants who do not fulfil these requirements are recommended to take the necessary steps in order to be adequately prepared prior to commencement of their studies.
The programme is divided into two phases: the orientation phase (1st and 2nd semesters) and the advanced/ specialisation phase (3rd through 6th semester).
During the orientation phase, students are expected to learn different ways of analyzing and solving problems and to become acquainted with neighbouring disciplines. Apart from business and pure economics, there will be a focus on computing and other relevant economic aspects of mathematics, statistics and law.
The main period of study is dedicated to gaining an in-depth and specialised understanding of economics. Most credits are obtained in courses of pure economics (from both required and elective options). These courses comprise important areas of economics such as economic policy, finance, applied economic research, and monetary or labour economics. Since the main focus of economics in Göttingen is international economic relations, many of the courses offered are based on topics central to European and international economics issues.
Other courses as part of the programme include courses in business studies (optional) and two business English courses (compulsory). Students may also opt for courses of personal or vocational interest to obtain credits in the interdisciplinary part of the programme.
During the orientation phase, students are expected to learn different ways of analyzing and solving problems and to become acquainted with neighbouring disciplines. Apart from business and pure economics, there will be a focus on computing and other relevant economic aspects of mathematics, statistics and law.
The main period of study is dedicated to gaining an in-depth and specialised understanding of economics. Most credits are obtained in courses of pure economics (from both required and elective options). These courses comprise important areas of economics such as economic policy, finance, applied economic research, and monetary or labour economics. Since the main focus of economics in Göttingen is international economic relations, many of the courses offered are based on topics central to European and international economics issues.
Other courses as part of the programme include courses in business studies (optional) and two business English courses (compulsory). Students may also opt for courses of personal or vocational interest to obtain credits in the interdisciplinary part of the programme.
The global nature of economies, together with an increasingly transnational segmentation of the value chain has led to an ever-growing international interdependence of companies. Subsequently, the demand for a labour force that thinks and acts globally has never been so high. A sound knowledge of the economic dependencies within an economy, of a company's decision-making process, of how households and states interact, as well as the advantages of international integration are important tools in order to start a career in a variety of fields. This knowledge also lays the foundations for a career in academia. Thanks to the university's international focus, our graduates enter diverse industries such as:
- national and international companies and consultancies,
- banks and insurance companies,
- and private as well as public organisations.
Completing a bachelor's degree offers the possibility to continue studies in a master's course either at home or abroad. In Göttingen, for example, students that complete a bachelor's degree with good grades may apply for the four-semester long master's programmes of study in International Economics, or Development Economics (English-language) leading to a Master of Arts (MA) in International Economics or a MA in Development Economics, respectively. Since October 2013, the Faculty of Business and Economics offers two new master's programmes (mainly German-language): a Master of Science (MSc) in Taxation and a MSc in Applied Statistics.