‘Bachelor of Arts’ (BA)
Can be combined with over 30 subjects
Studies in economics as part of the two-subject bachelor's degree programme can be individually combined with a second subject at Göttingen. You can find an overview of the available subjects here (please select "Bachelor two subjects" under degree).
This degree programme offers comprehensive training in the methodical basics of economics and the possibility to create your own study profile. The focus of economics at Göttingen is in the direction of international economic relations. A master's degree in international economics or development economics as well as in taxation or applied statistics can be completed afterwards.
General Information
- The two-subject economic sciences bachelor's programme is accredited (ZEvA Hannover).
- The degree programme is entirely modular, which means students must accumulate credits. The programme is complete when students reach 180 credits.
- Language: German
- The programme generally takes six semesters.
- Enrolment is only possible during the winter semester.
- Students wishing to study the two-subject Bachelor's programme, 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. Participation in the "Mathematics" lecture is optional for 2-subject bachelor's students, but is highly recommended.
- Information for students: Subscribe to the Mailinglist of the Department of Economics and receive important information e.g. about new seminars and other courses or job offers for student assistants and tutors!
Admission requirements and process
The goal of the economic sciences degree programme is to relate the basic knowledge necessary for the transition to a career and the ability to recognize the main concepts of the topic as well as provide familiarity with basic scientific methods and discoveries. In addition to becoming familiar with the basic concepts, students should also acquire specialist knowledge as part of curriculum, which they partially develop themselves,
- to gain good general and specialized career skills.
- to form a basis for completing a subsequent professional degree in the form of a master's degree.
To achieve these goals, the degree programme links established theories with practical issues and developments to offer students not only scientific qualifications but also the ability to act within their professional roles. The degree programme is designed to offer not only the expected professional qualifications but also provide scientific development in the programme's field.
For the bachelor's degree, completion of 180 credits is required, comprised of:
- 66 credits in economics (core curriculum)
- 66 credits in the elected minor (see the regulations pertaining to the second subject)
- 36 credits in professional skills/studies = 18 credits in key competencies + 18 optional credits
- 12 credits for the bachelor's thesis
Core curriculum for Economics (66 credits)
Students must fulfil the following requirements of the compulsory module (24 credits):
- Microeconomics I, 6 credits
- Macroeconomics I, 6 credits
- Microeconomics II, 6 credits
- Macroeconomics II, 6 credits
- The remaining 42 credits can be fulfilled through the participation in the economics module (B.WIWI-VWL[#], B.WIWI-QMW[#]), mathematics (B.WIWI-OPH.0002), statistics (B.WIWIW-OPH.0006) or "VWL in Aktion" (Economcis in Action) (B.WIWI-OPH.0010). Please note that a minimum of 6 credits must be obtained through participation in an Advanced Seminar in Economics ("Volkswirtschaftliches Hauptseminar": B.WIWI-VWL-0044, B.WIWI-VWL.0045 or B.WIWI-VWL.0046).
In addition, new courses and events will be offered every semester that may not be in the Module Handbook. For further information, please see the webpage "Additional Modules Accepted for the Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programmes".
Professional Skills/ Studies (36 Credits)
In terms of professional skills, completion of 18 credits in key competency courses, and 18 credits from the offered focus areas are recommended. If you plan to enrol in a master's programme in economics, please ensure that your course selection meets the requirements to enter the programme (see below for further information). In doing so, you can choose a profile of either your focus within economics, or from your double major or concentration. The Faculty Business and Economics offers two different "profiles" for those electing to complete a double-degree:
- Scientific Profile: You can take additional modules in economics (M.WIWI-VWL.[#]) and quantitative methods (M.WIWI-QMW.[#]).
- Professional Profile: For this profile, you can take modules from business administration, business education and business information. Into the bargain, you can choose out of all modules with "B.WIWI-VWL"- and "B.WIWI-WB."-identification. For further information, please see the website: "Professional Profile - Selection of Modules". Constructing your profile is designed to be an open process, allowing for a combination of different profiles.
- Additionally, one can select the General Studies profile that covers the complete professional skills/studies area (36 credits). In this profile, you can combine the two profiles above. Important to note is that only modules from one of the above profiles or from a key competency can be selected.
In terms of the faculty-wide key competency modules, you can also select modules from other faculties such as course offerings from ZESS (Central Institution for Languages and Key Competencies). Detailed information on the interdepartmental key competencies can be found here: www.uni-goettingen.de/schluesselkompetenzen
Bachelor's Thesis (12 Credits)
The bachelor's thesis can be completed in either one of your subject majors of your bachelor's studies. A prerequisite for commencing your bachelor's thesis in economics is completing at least 36 credits in the core curriculum of economics, including the economics seminar.
Master of International Economics (Option for double degree)
Admission to the master's programme in international economics requires 60 credits in economics, with at least 30 credits from modules in economic theory, finance and foreign trade. Additionally, at least six of these credits must be in trade theory, and at least 12 credits must be from modules in mathematics, statistics or econometrics.
The following courses are highly recommended:
- B.WIWI-VWL.0003 Einführung in die Wirtschaftspolitik (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0005 Grundlagen der internationalen Wirtschaftsbeziehungen (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0006 Growth and Development (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0004 Introduction to Finance (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0007 Introduction to Econometrics (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-OPH.0002 Mathematics (8 credits)
- B.WIWI-OPH.0006 Statistics (8 credits)
In the Economics "Hauptseminar" a foreign trade topic should be dealt with as far as possible.
Master of Development Economics (Option for double degree)
For admission to the master's programme in development economics, 60 credits in economics and/ or agricultural economics are required. 30 of these credits should so be obtained through modules in economic theory, agricultural economics and development economics. 12 additional credits must have been completed in mathematics, statistics or econometrics. Therefore, the following modules are prerequisites for the master’s programme:
- B.WIWI-VWL.0006 Growth and Development (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0041 Introduction to Development Economics (6 credits)
The following courses are also highly recommended:
- B.WIWI-VWL.0003 Einführung in die Wirtschaftspolitik (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0005 Grundlagen der internationalen Wirtschaftsbeziehungen (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0007 Einführung in die Ökonometrie (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-OPH.0006 Statistics (8 credits)
In the Advanced Seminar in Economics, it is recommended that you select a topic pertaining to development economics.
Master of Taxation
For admission to the master's programme in taxation, 60 credits are required in economics, business administration and law. 30 of these credits must be in finance, corporate taxation, public finance, microeconomics and law. Additionally, 12 of the 60 credits must be from modules in mathematics, statistics or econometrics. Therefore, students must also successfully complete the following courses:
- B.WIWI-VWL.0004 Einführung in die Finanzwissenschaft (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-BWL.0001 Unternehmenssteuern I (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-OPH.0004 Introduction to Finance (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-OPH.0009 Law (8 credits)
The following courses are also highly recommended:
- B.WIWI-VWL.0003 Einführung in die Wirtschaftspolitik (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0007 Introduction to Econometrics (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-OPH.0002 Mathematics (8 credits)
- B.WIWI-OPH.0006 Statistics (8 credits)
In the Advanced Seminar in Economics, it is recommended that you select a topic pertaining to finance.
Master of Applied Statistics
For admission to the master’s programme in applied statistics, 60 credits are required in statistics, mathematics, informatics or other quantitative areas. A minimum of 24 of these credits must be in statistics. Therefore, the following modules are prerequisites for the programme:
- B.WIWI-OPH. 0002 Mathematik (8 credits)
- B.WIWI-OPH.0006 Statistik (8 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0007 Einführung in die Ökonometrie (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-QMW.0001 Lineare Modelle (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-QMW.0003 Angewandte Ökonometrie (6 credits)
The following courses are also highly recommended:
- B.WIWI-VWL.0006 Wachstum und Entwicklung (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-VWL.0028 Einführung in die Spieltheorie (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-BWL.0004 Produktion und Logistik (6 credits)
- B.WIWI-BWL.0005 Beschaffung und Absatz (6 credits)
In the Advanced Seminar in Economics, it is recommended that you select a topic pertaining to quantitative methods.
The formal requirements for admission to each master's programme are outlined in the admissions regulations.
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)
Among the actual, potential positions available to graduates of the economic sciences bachelor's programme are, for instance:
- Specialist for external economic issues in industrial companies, banks, insurers, consultancies
- Specialist with knowledge and experience in empirical economic research for associations and major corporations
- Specialist for micro- and macroeconomic problems within the financial sector for positions with banks, insurers, industrial companies and associations.
Students become even more prepared for positions in international public or private institutions as well as multinational corporations when they select a secondary subject related to language, culture, politics or social sciences.
By successfully completing the bachelor's programme in compliance with the above-mentioned conditions (see above, "Transitioning to the Master's degree programmes in economics"), graduates can progress to the following consecutive master's degree programmes: