BSc in Economics and Business Economics - Economics

36 Months On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Groningen

Program Overview

The BSc in Economics and Business Economics with an Economics profile is a comprehensive three-year program that equips you with the theoretical tools and analytical skills to understand how economics addresses major societal challenges like inequality, climate impact, and the role of government. Whether you're interested in fiscal policy, banking, economic development, or international trade, this program gives you the foundation to tackle real-world economic problems with rigorous academic thinking combined with practical application.

Curriculum Structure

Year One: Building Your Foundation

Your first year establishes the essentials you'll need throughout the program. You'll explore how institutional contexts like democracy and capitalism influence wealth and well-being, while evaluating major societal challenges from an economic perspective. Core courses include Macroeconomics for E&BE, Statistics for E&BE, Data Analysis for E&BE, and Financial Accounting for E&BE, alongside Writing and Presenting for E&BE to develop your communication skills. This broad foundation ensures you have a solid grounding in both economic theory and quantitative methods before specializing.

Year Two: Diving into Economics

Your second year is where your Economics profile truly takes shape. You'll explore monetary and fiscal policies, government debt, banking economics, and economic growth, while using game theory to analyze how firms interact strategically. You'll study courses like Monetary Macroeconomics, Trade Policy and Economic Integration, Public Finance, and Microeconomics - Industrial Organization—each designed to deepen your understanding of key economic debates. The curriculum emphasizes contemporary macroeconomic challenges and economic integration within the EU, helping you see economics not as abstract theory but as a lens for understanding the world.

Year Three: Specialization and Independence

In your final year, you'll have the flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests. You'll write your Bachelor's Thesis (a substantial 10 EC project) and choose elective courses that align with your career goals. This is also when you can pursue a minor in fields like Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Psychology, or Law, or even study abroad in Europe, Latin America, Australia, Canada, China, or the USA. By this point, you'll have the analytical expertise to conduct independent research and contribute meaningfully to economic discourse.

Focus Areas

Banking, fiscal and monetary policy, economic development, political economy, economic theory, inequality, the role of the state, and international economic integration.

Learning Outcomes

You'll develop the ability to analyze complex economic issues using both theoretical frameworks and empirical data, understand how policymakers and business leaders stimulate economic activity, apply research methods to real-world problems, and articulate economic arguments clearly to diverse audiences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is accredited by both EQUIS and AACSB, ensuring international recognition of the degree's quality and rigor.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Graduates pursue careers in diverse sectors including corporate finance, banking, central banks, consulting firms, multinationals, and research institutes. The University of Groningen's MSc in Economics is ranked as the best MSc in Economics program in the Netherlands, reflecting the strength of the institution's economics education. The program's combination of rigorous academic thinking with practical application prepares you effectively for professional roles in policy, research, and finance.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the BSc Economics program at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), you'll dive right into hands-on learning that turns economic theory into real-world skills like data analysis, forecasting, and consulting—right from your first year with courses in statistics, econometrics, and research projects. Through FEB Career Services and extracurricular options, you get access to practical tools and activities that connect you with companies like ABN-Amro, Philips, and Friesland Campina, building your professional network and resume early on. This isn't just classroom stuff; it's about tackling actual business challenges, from advising on sales strategies to programming data tools, all while getting support from top-notch faculty and career coaches.

Here are some standout ways to gain that experiential edge in this program:
- Business Research & Consulting course: Work on real consultancy projects for companies, including company visits, analyzing issues like brand awareness and sales strategies, then present directly to management—perfect prep for a consulting career.
- Learning communities: Join collaborative projects on topics like Data Science and Analytics, Programming in Python or R, Blockchain, or Agile methods; includes assignments from external organizations, interviews, coaching, and group meetings to build skills in project management, data analysis, negotiation, and networking.
- Company visits and external projects: Engage in visits, real-world assignments, and interdisciplinary challenges with partners like RDW or CJIB, honing team and self-management skills.
- Software and digital tools: Hands-on with programming in Python, R, and data analytics tools through learning communities and courses like Data Analysis and Econometrics for E&BE.
- Group projects and research: Team-based empirical research papers, research projects, and collaborative learning communities focused on economic forecasting and real managerial problems.
- Internships: Option for a 30 EC internship in your third-year minor, plus career services support for placements.

These opportunities make our program a launchpad for economics careers—imagine applying to Groningen and stepping into this vibrant setup.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc in Economics and Business Economics at the University of Groningen build strong analytical and quantitative skills that open doors across industries. Whether you see yourself working in finance, consulting, business strategy or public policy, this degree gives you the tools to understand markets, make data-driven decisions and solve complex economic challenges. Many graduates step into roles such as Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, Economic Consultant, or Strategy Associate.

Here’s why your career prospects are especially strong:

Dedicated career support: The Faculty of Economics and Business provides structured career services, including CV and interview workshops, career guidance, networking events and employer presentations. The Economics and Business Faculty (EBF) study association also connects students directly with companies through recruitment events, company visits and internships.
Strong employment outcomes: Graduate surveys from the faculty show that alumni from related economics and business master’s programmes earn an average starting salary of around €3,691 gross per month. Many graduates quickly secure permanent positions and work in international environments.
Close ties with industry: Students gain exposure to real-world business challenges through guest lectures, case projects and career fairs. Alumni go on to work at leading organisations such as Rabobank, Accenture, Volkswagen and the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
International accreditation value: The Faculty of Economics and Business holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations — prestigious international quality labels held by only a small percentage of business schools worldwide. This strengthens the global recognition of your degree.
Versatile graduation outcomes: Graduates work in multinational corporations, financial institutions, consultancy firms and government organisations. The strong quantitative foundation also makes them competitive for analytical and data-focused roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this bachelor’s degree, you can continue with a wide range of specialised master’s programmes. Many students progress to MSc programmes in Economics, Finance, International Business, Econometrics, or Supply Chain Management at Groningen or other leading universities worldwide.

Country Requirements

China: Senior High School Diploma plus Gaokao with an overall score high enough for admission to a Tier 1 or Tier 2 university in your province (equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma).
France: General Baccalaureate Diploma (equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma).
Germany: Certificate of General University Entrance Qualification (Abitur) or Subject-Specific University Entrance Qualification (equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma).
India: All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE) with at least 5 externally examined subjects, achieving grades A (A1/A2) or B (B1) in all five (equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma).
India: Indian School Certificate (CISCE, Year 12) with a minimum 75% average across 5 externally examined subjects (equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma).
South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) with 7 exam subjects and a minimum 70% overall average (excluding Life Orientation and Mathematical Literacy).
South Africa: Additionally, one IEB Advanced Programme or IEB Further Studies Certificate in Mathematics, Physics, or English with at least 55% is required (equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma).
Turkey: Lise Diploması plus at least 3 externally examined AP courses (College Board) with grades 3–5.
Turkey: A maximum of one AP course from the listed Capstone, Music, or Studio Art subjects may count toward the requirement (equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma).
Canada: Provincial High School Diploma with at least five Grade 12 courses passed (Alberta requires a minimum 65% average; Ontario requires six Grade 12 university-preparation courses, including at least four U-level courses; Quebec requires a Diplôme d'Études Collégiales (DEC)) — equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma.
USA: High School Diploma with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0/4.0 plus at least 3 externally examined AP courses (College Board) with grades 3–5 (maximum one from the listed Capstone, Music, or Studio Art subjects) — equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma.
USA: AP score reports must be submitted with the application; for pending AP exams, a school statement confirming completion with College Board exams is required.
United Kingdom: Minimum of 3 academic GCE A2-levels with grades A*–C (vocational/skills-based subjects are not accepted) — equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma.Only full GCE A-level certificates are considered for admission.