Economics BSc

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Vienna

Program Overview

The BSc in Economics at the University of Vienna is a 6-semester program (180 ECTS) that dives into how markets work, economic decisions, and big questions like prosperity gaps, climate change, and labor discrimination, equipping you with theories, methods, math, stats, and problem-solving skills for real-world impact. It's perfect for curious students who love analyzing social and economic contexts and want a strong foundation in microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics, econometrics, public finance, and business administration, with electives in sociology, law, or psychology to tailor your path.

Curriculum Structure
First and Second Years: Building Core Foundations
In your first two years, you'll lay a solid groundwork by exploring Microeconomics and Macroeconomics to understand market mechanisms and national economies, while diving into Statistics to master data analysis for economic insights. Courses like Econometrics introduce quantitative tools to test theories on real data, and Business Administration shows how economic principles apply in companies, sharpening your ability to tackle issues like prosperity differences or discrimination. This phase builds critical thinking through math and stats, setting you up to apply concepts confidently.

Third and Fourth Years: Deepening Analysis and Methods
By years three and four, you'll advance with Public Finance to examine government budgets, taxes, and policy impacts on growth and inequality, paired with more advanced Econometrics for sophisticated modeling of economic behaviors. Business Administration modules expand into strategic decision-making, letting you connect theory to practice on topics like climate-compatible development. Electives here allow customization, blending economics with interdisciplinary angles for broader perspectives.

Fifth and Sixth Years: Specialization and Application
In the final years, you'll synthesize everything through elective and optional modules, focusing on current challenges while refining skills in Statistics and Econometrics for independent research. Public Finance and Microeconomics capstones help you analyze global issues like labor markets, with opportunities for extension curricula (up to 15 ECTS) to explore related fields and prepare for master's programs. You'll graduate ready to think critically and solve complex problems.

Focus Areas
Core pillars include microeconomics (individual and firm decisions), macroeconomics (national and global economies), statistics and econometrics (data-driven analysis), public finance (policy and budgets), and business administration (practical applications), with electives in sociology, law, or psychology.

Learning Outcomes
You'll gain a deep grasp of economic relationships, quantitative methods, and problem-solving; think critically about social contexts; and apply tools to real issues like markets, prosperity, climate, and discrimination—preparing you for master's studies or careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This Bachelor of Science (BSc) program (code 033 513) meets all Austrian accreditation standards, with a required entrance exam ensuring quality intake; it seamlessly leads to University of Vienna master's programs via the Master Access Guide, and extension curricula can broaden access to other fields.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
University of Vienna Economics grads excel in employability, building on the institution's top-tier status—graduates from related programs like Political Science average €2,796 gross monthly income three years post-graduation, reflecting strong career prospects in analysis, policy, and business.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor’s programme in Economics at the University of Vienna build practical analytical skills by working with real economic data, quantitative methods, and applied policy questions throughout their studies. The programme combines mathematics, statistics, econometrics, and economic theory, allowing students to apply models to topics such as labour markets, public finance, and economic development. You’ll learn in a research-driven environment, engage with real-world economic problems, and develop strong problem-solving abilities used in professional economic analysis. This applied learning approach is supported through coursework, seminars, and research-based assignments:

Quantitative training in statistics, econometrics, and mathematical optimisation using real datasets
Research-oriented coursework and a bachelor’s thesis focused on applied economic analysis
Small study groups with interaction with faculty from the Department of Economics
Academic seminars and workshops connected to current economic research topics
Interdisciplinary elective modules enabling applied project work across related fields
Digital learning platforms such as u:space, u:find, u:search and Moodle for coursework and collaboration
Career workshops and networking opportunities through the university career service
Opportunities to specialise through elective modules and extension curricula
Academic advising and mentoring via the StudiesServiceCenter and teaching support units
Option to complete part of the studies abroad for international academic exposure
Bachelor’s thesis project applying economic theory and quantitative methods to real-world problems

Progression & Future Opportunities

In the Economics BSc at the University of Vienna, you'll dive into practical skills through hands-on exploration of microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics, econometrics, public finance, and business administration, building your ability to analyze real-world social and economic contexts with quantitative methods and theories. You'll have access to the university's robust facilities tailored for economics students, including specialized libraries and research-supporting computer labs equipped for data analysis and econometric modeling: here are some key experiential learning opportunities specific to this program.

- Quantitative tools and software training: Courses emphasize econometrics and statistics, where you'll use industry-standard software for data analysis and modeling, directly applying methods to economic datasets in dedicated university computer labs.
- Group projects and elective modules: Collaborate on projects in core areas like public finance and business administration, with electives in sociology, law, or psychology that involve teamwork to solve practical economic problems.
- Extension curricula (EC) for real-world application: Complete up to 15 ECTS in flexible extensions (e.g., interdisciplinary topics), which build practical skills and can even unlock access to diverse master's programs, simulating professional scenario planning.
- Research-designated facilities: Utilize the University of Vienna's economics-focused institutes and libraries for hands-on research, including access to econometric labs and data resources for independent projects.

These elements ensure you're not just learning theory—you're gaining tools employers value. Imagine applying econometrics to real economic policy right here in Vienna! Ready to build that edge? Check the full entrance exam details and apply by May 4, 2026, at [https://aufnahmeverfahren.univie.ac.at/en/economics](https://aufnahmeverfahren.univie.ac.at/en/economics)—spots fill fast with only 353 available. For a complete list of facilities, visit the University of Vienna's official facilities page [here](https://www.univie.ac.at/en/about-us/facts-figures/facilities/). Let's chat about your next steps!