Bachelor's in Economics and Finance

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Charles University

Program Overview

The Bachelor's in Economics and Finance (BEF) at Charles University is a three-year English-taught program perfect for math-savvy students eager to dive into real-world economics and finance, building strong analytical skills for careers in banking, consulting, or policy. You'll get a solid foundation in core economic principles plus electives to specialize in hot areas like finance, international trade, or economic policy, all taught by top academics and pros from central banks and businesses.

Curriculum structure
Year 1 kicks off with the essentials, immersing you in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics to understand how individuals and economies behave, while Mathematical Analysis sharpens your tools for modeling real economic scenarios. You'll also tackle Mathematical Statistics, building the quantitative backbone needed for finance and data-driven decisions right from the start. It's designed to ease you in while sparking that analytical fire.

Year 2 builds momentum with deeper dives into applied topics, like Introductory Banking and Financial Accounting, where you'll analyze financial statements and banking operations hands-on. Pair that with International Finance to explore global money flows, and Economic Policy to debate crises like the global financial meltdown, blending theory with timely issues. By now, you're ready to connect dots across markets and policies.

Year 3 lets you shine through specialization, picking electives such as Strategic Management for business leadership insights, Public Finance for government budgeting, or Game Theory to master strategic decision-making in competitive environments. You'll wrap up with advanced International Trade and European Economic Integration, preparing capstone projects that showcase your skills to employers. It's your launchpad to stand out.

Focus areas include mathematical economics, statistics, finance and banking (like international finance and public finance), economic policy, strategic management, international trade, European integration, plus electives in game theory, history of economic thought, and political economy.

Learning outcomes equip you for intermediate quantitative analysis and modeling in economics/finance, with core knowledge in financial markets, banking, international trade/finance, public economics, and policy-making—ready for master's programs or jobs in banking, consulting, investment funds, and public admin.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Offered by Charles University's Faculty of Social Sciences, this Bologna-aligned program meets EU standards for bachelor's degrees, with tuition-based English instruction ensuring global recognition; no additional external accreditation noted, but it feeds directly into their accredited master's like Economics or Corporate Finance.

Reputation (employability rankings): Charles University ranks as the top academic institution in Czechia overall and in economics, with BEF graduates renowned for expertise in banking, consulting, and policy—strong employability backed by official stats showing seamless transitions to top careers and further studies.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Charles University’s Bachelor's in Economics and Finance within the Faculty of Social Sciences, you'll dive into practical, hands-on learning that builds real-world skills from day one. Our program emphasizes applying economic theory through data-driven analysis and financial modeling, using tools like MS Excel for advanced data analysis taught in courses such as JEM331. You'll work closely with top experts at the Institute of Economic Studies (IES) and gain exposure to cutting-edge research environments like the Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education (CERGE), which supports graduate-level insights and collaborations right on campus.

This means you'll get direct access to specialized facilities and opportunities tailored for economics and finance students, including:
- Advanced software and digital tools: Courses like Advanced Financial Econometrics I and II (JED412, JED413) use specialized econometric software for modeling financial data, alongside MS Excel for practical data crunching and visualization.
- Group projects and collaborative learning: Seminars in Institutional Economics (JEB022), Behavioral Economics (JEB147), and Applied Banking and Finance involve team-based analysis and discussions, building your skills in group problem-solving.
- Research labs and institutes: The Institute of Economic Studies (23-IES) offers dedicated spaces for economic research, connected to the Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education (CERGE-EI, 32-CERGE) for access to PhD-level resources and datasets.
- Libraries and data resources: Full access to the Central Library of Charles University for economic journals, plus digital repositories through CERGE for finance theses and working papers.
- Computer facilities: State-of-the-art Computer Science Institute labs and the Computer network Troja (32-PST) provide high-performance computing for econometric simulations and financial modeling.

These elements make our program a launchpad for careers in finance, consulting, or policy—students often land internships through faculty networks at CERGE and IES. Applying is straightforward and opens doors to Prague's vibrant economy. Check the full facilities list here: https://is.cuni.cz/studium/eng/predmety/index.php?dlpar=YToxOntzOjg6InByZWRtZXR5IjthOjE6e3M6Mzoic2tyIjtzOjQ6IjIwMTgiO319. Ready to take the next step? Let's chat about your application!

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduate Outcomes & Future Opportunities: Graduates of the Bachelor in Economics and Finance at Charles University develop strong analytical and quantitative skills that open doors to a variety of careers in economics and finance: typical roles include Financial Analyst, Economic Consultant, Investment Banking Analyst, and Policy Advisor in both private and public sectors. The program provides a solid foundation for high-growth finance and policy roles, and many students go on to pursue top master’s programs or international careers.

Why this matters for your future:

Career support & employability: Charles University’s career services and institute connections help students prepare for the job market through workshops, networking events, and internship placements with banks and financial institutions.
Real industry preparation: Courses are taught by both academics and practitioners from the Central Bank, commercial banks, and finance sector, giving you insight into real economic and financial decision-making.
Global recognition & partnerships: The program is part of the internationally respected Institute of Economic Studies, ranked among the top institutions for economics education in the Czech Republic and globally. Affiliated networks and exchange agreements broaden your exposure to employers worldwide.
Strong graduate outcomes: Alumni go on to careers in banking, consulting, investment funds, public administration, and finance research, and many continue to master’s and Ph.D. programs.
Accreditation value: The institute’s high academic standards and ties to industry ensure long-term credibility in both European and global job markets.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this bachelor’s, you can continue to master’s programs in economics, finance, data analysis, or applied economics at Charles University, such as the Master in Economics and Finance, which is accredited and respected by employers and aligns with professional certifications such as CFA pathways.
Graduates also frequently pursue advanced study abroad in specialized finance or economic analysis fields, or doctoral research in economics and finance.

This program not only prepares you for immediate, impactful roles in the finance world but also gives you a competitive edge if you choose deeper academic or research pathways after graduation.

Additional Information & Requirements

A copy of a diploma to show at least completed secondary or high school studies or confirmation that ongoing secondary or high school studies will be completed in the current academic year
Transcript of records and academic results from previous studies (at least the last two years)
Applicants must provide a diploma or confirmation of ongoing secondary/high school studies, transcripts from at least the last two years, a structured CV, a motivation letter (≈2,000 characters) explaining their interest in Economics and Finance at Charles University, and documents showing English and mathematics proficiency.
The motivation letter may include reasons for applying, expectations from the program, future career plans, and personal qualities or experiences that could contribute to the student community; confirmation of studies can be replaced by a current-year transcript.
Applicants must provide an English proficiency certificate from a standardized test: IELTS Academic with a minimum overall band of 6.5 and at least 6.0 in each section, or TOEFL iBT / iBT Home Edition with a minimum overall score of 83 and at least 20 in each section.
All documents that are not originally in Czech, Slovak, or English must be officially translated into English, Czech or Slovak language by a certified translator
The Economics and Finance program is highly mathematical, so applicants must meet the required mathematics score set by the Dean through recognized exams or courses.
Accepted options include: IB Group 5 Mathematics (min. 30/42), European Baccalaureate Mathematics (min. 70%), GCE A Level Mathematics (min. ABB), CSAT, SAT Mathematics, ACT Mathematics, AP Calculus AB/BC, SCIO Mathematics Test, or the ÚJOP Charles University final exam in Mathematics.
For SCIO, SAT, and ACT, only results from the intake year or previous three years are valid; alternatively, passing JEB122 Introductory Mathematics at Charles University fulfills the requirement.