Economics, Politics and Law (B.A.)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Witten Herdecke University

Program Overview

The Economics, Politics and Law (B.A.) programme at Witten/Herdecke University brings together three complementary disciplines to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of how societies function and how to tackle major social challenges. This degree is ideal if you're passionate about understanding the complex relationships between economic systems, political institutions, and legal frameworks—and want to develop practical solutions that make a real difference in companies, political organisations, and the public sector.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Foundation and Orientation

Your first year provides a comprehensive foundation across all three disciplines while you explore your interests within the Bachelor of Choice model. You'll complete core modules in economics, politics, and law that build your theoretical knowledge and methodological skills. This orientation year is designed to give you a complete overview of the programme and the broader offerings across the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society, ensuring you make an informed decision about your specialisation by the end of the third semester.

Second and Third Years: Specialisation and Deepening

From your second year onwards, you'll deepen your expertise in the areas that matter most to you, choosing specialisations that align with your career aspirations. You'll engage with applied modules that connect economic theory, political analysis, and legal principles to real-world phenomena—such as how demographic change and climate change affect the German economy and politics. The programme emphasises empirical data analysis and develops your ability to evaluate complex social challenges from multiple theoretical perspectives, preparing you to contribute evidence-based solutions in your chosen field.

Focus Areas

Economics, Politics, and Law Integration — The programme uniquely combines three disciplines within a single faculty structure, enabling genuine interdisciplinarity rather than treating subjects in isolation.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates understand major social phenomena through integrated economic, political, and legal theories and perspectives, supported by empirical data analysis. You'll develop professional knowledge and key competencies needed to take on leadership roles in economics and politics, contributing solutions to contemporary societal challenges.

Professional Alignment

The programme is newly accredited and launched in the winter semester 2023/24 at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society. Its design reflects changing demands of the professional world, equipping graduates for careers across companies, political organisations, and the public sector.

Reputation & Employability

Witten/Herdecke University's similar interdisciplinary programme, PPÖ (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), has established a strong track record since 2010, with graduates regularly accepted into prestigious master's programmes across Europe or entering the job market directly. The university's commitment to intensive student support in small seminars and high practical relevance ensures graduates are well-prepared for competitive career paths.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Witten/Herdecke University, the Economics, Politics and Law (B.A.) program immerses you in experiential learning right from the start, building practical skills through hands-on research, interdisciplinary projects, and real-world applications tied to economics, politics, and societal challenges. You'll dive into case studies, strategic analysis like game theory from institutional economics, and interactive discussions that sharpen your ability to tackle complex global issues, all supported by top-tier facilities in the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society. This approach isn't just theory—it's designed to prepare you for careers in policy, business, and leadership by connecting classroom insights to pressing transformations in sustainability and justice.

Here's how our dedicated institutes, labs, and tools make experiential learning come alive for this program:

- International Centre for Sustainable and Just Transformation [tra:ce]: Engage in concrete projects on sustainable economics and political transformation, with leadership from experts like Prof. Dr. Petra Thürmann and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Claus Volkenandt—perfect for applying law and policy to real societal shifts.
- WittenLab. Studium fundamentale future laboratory: Collaborate on interdisciplinary group projects blending philosophy, economics, politics, and even digital arts, redefining research through case studies, future scenarios, and expert discussions on topics like planetary education and economic history.
- Faculty of Management, Economics and Society research hubs: Work with Vice Dean Prof. Dr. Thomas Clauß on practice-oriented challenges in business, politics, and administration, including seminars on microeconomics tools like game theory and principal-agent models.
- Reinhard-Mohn-Institut für Unternehmensführung (RMI): Join researchers like Dr. Simone Schiller-Merkens for group projects on leadership and economic transformation, linking law and politics to corporate practice.
- Research Data Management services: Access holistic support for data-driven projects, including tools for quantitative methods in politics and economics, as used by professors like Lukas Stötzer.

These resources give you a huge edge—imagine applying what you learn directly to internships or policy work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Witten/Herdecke University, our Economics, Politics and Law (B.A.) program stands out by immersing you in real-world application from day one, building practical skills through hands-on projects, interdisciplinary collaboration, and access to cutting-edge research environments. You'll dive into case studies, strategic discussions, and interactive seminars that sharpen your ability to tackle complex economic, political, and legal challenges—just like professionals do. With dedicated institutes and labs right on campus, you'll use tools and spaces designed for transformative learning in economics, politics, and sustainability.

Here's how our facilities and opportunities make experiential learning come alive for this program:
- International Centre for Sustainable and Just Transformation [tra:ce]: Engage in projects on sustainable economics and policy transformation, led by experts like Prof. Dr. Magdalene Silberberger and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Claus Volkenandt, with dedicated rooms (e.g., 1.221, NB-1.062.1) for group work and research.
- WittenLab. Studium fundamentale future laboratory: Join interdisciplinary group projects blending philosophy, economics, politics, sociology, and digital tools to explore real-world scenarios like planetary education and economic history—perfect for Economics, Politics and Law students.
- Faculty of Management, Economics and Society research spaces: Collaborate on practice-oriented tracks with case analyses, game theory simulations, and strategic interaction exercises in equipped rooms like E.095 and 1.054.2, supporting group discussions and independent projects.
- Interactive seminars and tutorials: Lead discussions, analyze real cases in economics and institutional settings, and work in small groups on topics like microeconomics, ethics, and political philosophy—no generic lectures here, just applied learning.

This setup doesn't just teach theory—it equips you to lead in economics, politics, and law with confidence. Imagine applying for internships through our networks or contributing to [tra:ce] policy reports on sustainable finance.