Bachelor of Science (BSc) 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 master's degree programmes in applied statistics and taxation.
General information
- Field of study: Economics (BSc)
- Degree: Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- 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 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.
Students wishing to study the Bachelor's programme in Economics should have a good knowledge of mathematics and English. Every semester before the start of lectures, the faculty offers the Maths Pre-course for first-year students (in German). In this course, contents of the school mathematics (regarding German high school students) are repeated and the students are prepared for the lecture "Mathematics" in the 1st semester.
Beginning your studies in the winter semester

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Beginning your studies in the summer 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 other relevant economic aspects of mathematics, statistics and law. The courses in these two semesters are fixed (compulsory modules, usually taught in German). You will learn important basics and methods of economics, on which you can build in later courses. You will take about 5 modules each semester. For each module you can acquire 6 credits. The examination is usually a written exam at the end of the semester (a total of 60 credits in the 1st and 2nd semester):
B.WIWI-OPH.0002 | Mathematik, 8 C |
B.WIWI-OPH.0004 | Einführung in die Finanzwirtschaft, 6 C |
B.WIWI-OPH.0005 | Jahresabschluss, 6 C |
B.WIWI-OPH.0006 | Statistik, 8 C |
B.WIWI-OPH.0007 | Mikroökonomik I, 6 C |
B.WIWI-OPH.0008 | Makroökonomik I, 6 C |
B.WIWI-VWL.0002 | Makroökonomik II, 6 C |
B.WIWI-OPH.0009 | Recht, 8 C |
B.WIWI-OPH.0010 | Volkswirtschaftslehre in Aktion, 6 C |
B.WIWI-VWL.0002 | Makroökonomik II, 6 C |
The advanced/ specialisation phase (3rd through 6th semester, 120 C):
From the third semester onwards, you will deepen your knowledge in advanced courses. This 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 international economics issues. Thanks to a wide range of options, you can set your own priorities. In total, you need another 120 credits to complete your studies (30 credits per semester or 5 courses of 6 credits each). You will take courses from the following areas:
- Courses in economics that deepen the basic modules of the orientation phase (36 C)
- Specialisation in economics (30-36 C)
- Business administration specialisation (12-18 C)
- Business languages (12 C)
- Elective area (12-18 C)
- Bachelor's thesis (12 C)
Develope your profile and select a certain focus
Due to the wide range of courses in the second study section, you can also choose a special subject focus, which you can have identified in your Bachelor's certificate upon application. The following specialisations are offered:
- Applied Statistics and Econometrics ("Angewandte Statistik und Ökonometrie")
- Development Economics ("Entwicklungsökonomik")
- Economics of Globalization ("Ökonomik der Globalisierung")
A condition for this is that corresponding courses of at least 30 credits must be completed. The study and examination regulations (PDF download, in German) list the courses you can choose.
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 Faculty of Business and Economics offers you many opportunities to study one or two semesters at an international partner university. There are three different programmes, each with different partner universities and application deadlines:
- Erasmus+: You will study at one of the more than 60 partner universities of the Faculty in other European countries (only students of the Faculty of Business and Economics can apply for these programmes).
- Worldwide faculty programmes: You will study at one of the numerous partner universities of the Faculty of Business and Economics abroad, e.g. in the USA, Latin America, South Africa, Japan, China, South Korea and Thailand (only students of the Faculty of Business and Economics can apply for these programmes).
- Worldwide university programmes: You study at a partner university of the University of Göttingen, e.g. in Australia, India, the USA, Canada or China (all students of the University can apply for these programmes).
If you go abroad within the framework of one of the above-mentioned programmes, you usually do not have to pay tuition fees for studying at a foreign partner university (the University of Mississippi charges reduced tuition fees). Some programmes even receive additional financial support from the German Academic Exchange Service. Comprehensive information about the programmes, application deadlines and contact persons can be found here.
In our Database you can see which achievements/modules of other universities in Göttingen have already been recognized (in German). In order to keep your choice of course abroad as flexible as possible, we recommend that you complete modules from the elective area of your respective degree programme abroad.
If you would like to get into contact with other international and German students during your studies in Göttingen, please take a look at our Study Buddy Programme and our Exchange@WIWI events: www.uni-goettingen.de/de/613540.html. Both programmes serve to network international and local Göttingen students.
Job portal of the University of Göttingen with external job offers: Stellenwerk Göttingen (in German)
- national and international companies and consultancies,
- banks and insurance companies,
- and private as well as public organisations.
- Master of Science (MSc) in International Economics (English/German)
- Master of Science (MSc) in Development Economics (English-language Programme)
- Master of Science (MSc) in Applied Statistics (German/English)