Economics (BA) (two subjects)

The internationalization of the economy and the transnational fragmentation of the value-added chain lead to an increasing interconnection between companies. This raises the demand for qualified graduates who are able to think and act globally. A sound knowledge of the integration of national economies, the decision making-process in households and firms and the complex nature of the globalization process is a necessary prerequisite for a successful career entry in many professional fields. The B.A. degree offers also the possibility to apply for a master programme with the main focus on the internationalization of the economy.

The main objective of this degree programme is to gain solid expertise and, on the other hand, to apply basic quantitative methods to current economic problems. Besides solid knowledge in economics students will acquire further knowledge in related fields by choosing from a variety of courses offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics.

In order to reach the aims of the study programme, the theoretical foundations of economics are linked with empirical methods to analyse current economic problems developed and less developed countries are facing today. That way, students will acquire academic qualifications as well as professional capacities. The study programme is focused on the imparting of current developments in economic theory and on the imparting of modern professional skills.

Studies in economics as part of the two-subject bachelor can be individually combined with one of more than 30 major subjects, except for those forming part of a teacher education programme. Recommended supplementary subjects particularly include the fields of social sciences, linguistics and cultural studies, for example: Sociology, Political Science, Law, East Asian Studies or Economic and Social History.

Students who wish to study economics in a two-subject bachelor programme should have good knowledge in mathematics and English. International students should also have good knowledge in German. The faculty offers a preliminary maths course for first-year students every semester before lectures begin. In this course, the content of (German) school mathematics is repeated and the students are prepared for the lecture "Mathematics" in the first semester. Participation in the module "Mathematics" is voluntary for 2-subject Bachelor students, but highly recommended.

Graduates have entry into a variety of professional fields. During their studies graduates have acquired knowledge and key competences that are the foundations for a successful career in companies, associations, public chambers and organizations. Potential career opportunities are for example:

• Specialist for international trade problems in industrial enterprises, banks, insurance companies or consulting firms
• Specialist with knowledge and experience in the empirical economic research for associations or big enterprises
• Specialist for micro- and macroeconomic problems of the financial sector in banks, insurance companies, industrial enterprises or associations.

Get to know the different professional fields of our graduates in the alumni portraits (in German).

If students have taken a second subject in the fields of cultural or social sciences, career opportunities in governmental or non-governmental international organizations are open to them. Beyond that, successful graduates have the possibility to continue with consecutive master's programmes in International Economics (German/English skills required), in Development Economics (English-language programme), in History of Global Markets and in Applied Statistics (both programmes require German and English skills).