BSc Economics and Business Economics

36 Months On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Amsterdam

Program Overview

The Bachelor's in Economics and Business Economics at the University of Amsterdam is a broad, English-taught program that equips you with deep insights into economic theories, business operations, and how companies shape the global economy—perfect if you're strong in math, love debating real-world issues like growth disparities or market strategies, and want to think critically about business in action. You'll build skills to analyze everything from Nike's market dominance to government banking policies, choosing between Economics or Business Economics after the first 18 months, all on the vibrant Roeterseiland campus in one of the world's top 10 liveable cities.

Curriculum structure
Year 1: Building your foundation
In your first year, you'll dive into the essentials with *Principles of Economics and Business*, exploring core concepts in economics, business economics, and administration to understand individual and organizational behavior through real-world cases. You'll then tackle introductory courses like *Accounting*, *Microeconomics*, *Macroeconomics*, *Finance*, and *Economics of Markets and Organisations*, alongside *Mathematics* and *Statistics* for analytical tools, wrapping up with a hands-on research project to sharpen your investigative skills. It's an exciting start that sets you up to connect theory with practice right away.

Year 2: Deepening knowledge and specializing
The first semester ramps up with advanced *Statistics and Econometrics*, *Money & Banking*, *International Money and Finance*, and *Economic Methodology*, giving you a zoomed-out view of economics as a science and the crucial role of money in business and policy. In the second semester, you'll pick your major—Business Economics means courses in *Corporate Law*, *Strategy*, *Accounting*, and *Finance*, while Economics covers *Game Theory*, advanced *Microeconomics*, *Mathematics*, and *Macroeconomics*—plus join the Research Lab for practical application. This year transforms your basics into specialized expertise, opening doors to what excites you most.

Year 3: Advanced focus and mastery
Building on your major, you'll advance into specialized topics like organizational economics, strategy, or neuroeconomics, conducting in-depth research projects that mirror professional analysis. You'll also have flexibility for electives or a minor, preparing you seamlessly for top Master's programs such as those in Finance, Accountancy and Control, Business Economics, Economics, or the joint Entrepreneurship degree with VU Amsterdam. By graduation, you'll have a 180 ECTS portfolio ready for high-impact careers.

Focus areas
Tailor your path after Year 1: specialize in Economics (game theory, advanced micro/macro, math-driven policy analysis) or Business Economics (corporate law, strategy, accounting, finance), with options for tracks like Organisational Economics or Finance leading to elite Master's.

Learning outcomes
You'll master critical thinking on economic issues, research skills via projects and labs, quantitative tools in stats/econometrics/math, and practical insights into business strategy, markets, and global finance—gaining the ability to analyze real problems like economic growth or corporate leadership.

Professional alignment (accreditation)
This selective numerus fixus program (850 spots) from the renowned Faculty of Economics and Business—home to Amsterdam Business School and School of Economics—delivers a BSc with direct access to accredited Master's in fields like Finance, Accountancy, and Entrepreneurship, aligning perfectly with careers in consulting, banking, policy, or startups.

Reputation (employability rankings)
UvA ranks #53 in QS World University Rankings, with graduates landing roles in top firms thanks to the program's rigorous training and Amsterdam's global hub status—over 100 nationalities ensure a diverse network that boosts your employability worldwide.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the BSc Economics and Business Economics at the University of Amsterdam, you'll dive into hands-on learning right from year one, building practical skills through real-world applications like research projects, group discussions, and collaborative problem-solving in tutorials and seminars. You'll work in small groups with peer mentors to sharpen your study and research abilities, then tackle exciting challenges such as a first-year research project and a second-year Research Lab where you join ongoing economics or business economics projects to learn actual research methods. This sets you up perfectly for year three, where you can pursue internships, study abroad, or a minor while specializing, all supported by the Economics and Business Career Centre (EBCC) for career advice, skill-building, and internship placements.

Here are some standout ways you'll gain that real-world edge::
- Tutorials and group work: Weekly seminars in small groups for exercises, practice assignments, and discussing lecture topics, plus peer mentoring in year one to master effective studying and teamwork.
- Research projects and labs: A year-one research project to practice conducting research, followed by the second-year Research Laboratory for hands-on involvement in live economics and business economics research projects.
- Amsterdam Living Case Lab: Tackle authentic company challenges using the "living case method"—student teams analyze real problems over 6 weeks (or shorter formats), present solutions to organizations, and build networks with academic supervisors and company coaches.
- Internships and career prep: Year-three options include internships, with EBCC support from year one for finding opportunities, professional skills development, and Dutch labor market prep.
- Career Centre facilities: Personalized EBCC advice on studies, careers, internships, and secondary jobs to bridge academics and employment.

Keen to explore more facilities? Check the full list here: https://www.uva.nl/en/about-the-uva/organisation/faculties/faculty-of-economics-and-business.html.

Applying is straightforward and opens doors to top Master's programs like Finance or Accountancy and Control—let's chat about your next steps to get you started!

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the University of Amsterdam's Bachelor's in Economics and Business Economics, you'll dive into hands-on learning right from year one, building practical skills through real-world applications like research projects, group discussions, and industry challenges that mirror actual business scenarios. You'll work in smaller tutorial groups to tackle exercises and assignments, honing your ability to apply economic theories to complex cases, while senior student mentors guide you in effective study and teamwork during weekly Skills & Connect sessions. In later years, you'll engage in immersive experiences like the Research Lab and living case projects, giving you direct exposure to cutting-edge research and authentic company problems.

Here are some standout ways you'll gain that real-world edge in this program:
- Research projects and labs: Kick off year one with an exciting research project to practice conducting your own analysis, then cap year two with the Research Laboratory, where you'll join ongoing economics and business economics research projects to build hands-on research skills.
- Group projects and tutorials: Weekly tutorials in small groups let you discuss lecture topics, solve exercises, and prepare presentations collaboratively, plus strategy courses involve group assignments to resolve real strategic problems.
- Amsterdam Living Case Lab: Tackle live company challenges using the "living case method"—work in teams on 6-week cases, one-day visits, or week-long pitches, supervised by academics and coached by firms for practical problem-solving and networking.
- Internships and career prep: In year three, opt for an internship, study abroad, or minor, with support from the Economics and Business Career Centre (EBCC) starting year one—they offer advice on internships, professional skills development, and job market prep.
- Career Centre facilities: Access EBCC for personalized guidance on internships, study-related jobs, and building professional networks tailored to economics and business careers.

This practical focus, combined with our research-driven approach, sets you up perfectly for top Master's programs or roles in finance, accountancy, or consulting—imagine applying right after graduation with real projects under your belt. Ready to take the next step? Check out the full study programme details and apply today: https://www.uva.nl/en/programmes/bachelors/economics--business-economics/study-programme/study-programme.html

Country Requirements

Applicants from China must hold a Senior Middle School Graduation Certificate with Gaokao, have completed one year of full-time Bachelor study (benke), and meet the required university-level Mathematics plus an additional Mathematics A certificate.
Applicants from South Africa must hold a National Senior Certificate qualifying for Bachelor admission, have completed one full year of university study, and meet the required university-level Mathematics plus an additional Mathematics A certificate.
Applicants from Germany must hold the Allgemeine Hochschulreife or Fachgebundene Hochschulreife with Mathematics (Grundkurs or Leistungsfach) in the Abitur, with a recommended score of at least 10.
Applicants from France must hold the Baccalauréat Général or Technologique and have completed an approved final-year Mathematics course (Complémentaires with additional Mathematics A certificate, Spécialité, or Expertes) as required by the university.
Applicants from Turkey must meet the required Mathematics standard through approved AP Calculus/Statistics scores (minimum 3 or 4, as specified) or a university-level mathematics course combined with an additional Mathematics A certificate.
Applicants from Canada must hold an approved provincial secondary school diploma with the required number of Grade 12 academic courses and achieve a minimum of 75% in the specified Pre-Calculus or Calculus/Advanced Mathematics subject, as required by their province.
GCE A Level in Mathematics with a minimum grade C
CBSE: Maths/Applied Maths required with A1–B1 grades; ISC: Maths/Applied Maths required with minimum 75%; NIOS: Maths/Applied Maths required with grades A–C.
USA: High School Diploma + 4 AP exams (scores 3–5) including Calculus AB/BC (4+) or Statistics (3+) with an additional Mathematics A certificate.
IB Diploma: Mathematics AA or AI required, with English as an IB exam subject; specific maths requirements apply for Economics & Business Economics.