Bachelor in Economics and Business Economics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Program Overview

The Bachelor's Economics and Business Economics at VU Amsterdam gives you a comprehensive understanding of how people, companies, and governments make decisions—from individual consumer choices to global economic policy. This broad, small-scale programme combines rigorous economic theory with real-world application, challenging you to think critically about everything from sustainability and innovation to ethics and risk management.

Curriculum Structure

First and Second Year: Building Your Foundation

You'll start with core economic principles that explain how markets work and why people behave the way they do. The programme emphasizes interactive learning in smaller classes, giving you direct access to faculty who challenge you to excel. All courses are taught in English, and you'll develop strong analytical skills through courses like Quantitative Research Methods I, which forms part of your first-year requirements.

Third Year: Specialization and Depth

After your first year, you'll choose one of four specializations—Economics, Marketing, Finance, or Accounting—allowing you to focus on what excites you most. In your third year, you can pursue a minor in areas like psychology, sociology, or technology at another faculty or even abroad, or alternatively complete an internship to gain professional experience.

Throughout Your Studies: Connecting Economics to People

What sets VU apart is its philosophy of connecting economics not just as theory, but as a lens for understanding people and society. You'll learn to identify mechanisms underlying economic phenomena and investigate steps needed to achieve different economic objectives—skills that prepare you to advise consumers, companies, and government agencies.

Focus Areas

Sustainability, labour market dynamics, competition, income inequality, ethics, entrepreneurship, risk management, big data, e-business, innovation, consumer behaviour, investment analysis.

Learning Outcomes

You'll develop the ability to analyze complex economic phenomena, understand human behaviour across economic contexts, and apply your knowledge to real decision-making processes in organizations and policy.

Professional Alignment

VU's economics education is highly regarded internationally, reflecting the Netherlands' unique approach to economics education and the country's model of consensus-based decision-making. As a graduate, you become an attractive prospect for employers across the private sector, government agencies, and international organizations like the European Commission, World Bank, and Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB).

Employability & Reputation

Graduates leverage their analytical skills and broad economic perspective across diverse industries—whether pursuing advanced study at the master's level or entering careers in consulting, finance, policy analysis, or entrepreneurship. The School of Business and Economics at VU maintains a strong international reputation for preparing economically literate professionals who understand both markets and society.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

VU Amsterdam's School of Business and Economics has built its reputation on bridging the gap between theory and practice. When you study economics and business here, you're not just sitting through lectures—you're developing the hands-on skills that employers actually want. The faculty deliberately designs courses around real organizational challenges, case studies from the global economy, and direct engagement with Amsterdam's thriving business hub at the Zuidas, one of Europe's most dynamic financial centers.

The experiential learning approach is embedded into how courses are structured. Rather than passively absorbing concepts, you'll analyze actual organizational problems, work through case-based assignments, and apply economic theories to real-world examples from the global economy. You'll work in teams on consultancy assignments where you provide genuine advice to organizations, developing both your analytical abilities and your ability to communicate findings convincingly. This means by the time you graduate, you won't just understand economics—you'll have practical evidence of your ability to solve business problems:

- Team-based consultancy projects where you analyze profit and non-profit organizations and deliver recommendations to actual management
- Internship opportunities during your bachelor's and master's programmes to build your professional profile and apply academic knowledge in real organizational settings
- Career workshops throughout the year including CV writing, interview preparation, LinkedIn networking, and "Career Labs" hosted by employers who share industry expertise
- Case practice sessions delivered by companies to give you direct exposure to how professionals approach business challenges
- VU StartHub and VU Demonstrator Lab visits (as featured in entrepreneurship courses) providing access to startup ecosystems and innovation facilities
- Guest lectures from industry practitioners—such as tech investors and business advisors—who bring current market insights directly into your courses
- Access to a vacancy board for internships and graduate positions, helping you transition directly into professional roles
- Individual career coaching and CV reviews through Career Services to personalize your development
- Online lectures and digital tutorials combined with in-person seminars, giving you flexibility while maintaining direct interaction with faculty

The School of Business and Economics also offers contract education options, allowing you to take individual courses from bachelor's and master's programmes if you want to test-drive specific subjects or upskill in particular areas before committing to a full degree. And if you're interested in specialized areas like spatial, transport, and environmental economics, you can access core courses from VU's Master's programme in those fields.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc Economics and Business Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam develop strong analytical and economic skills that prepare them for careers in business, finance, government, and consultancy. After completing the programme, students often work as economists, financial analysts, business analysts, or accountants, where they use data and economic insights to support strategic decisions. The programme’s broad focus ensures graduates are well prepared to understand markets, evaluate business performance, and contribute to policy or corporate decision-making in both national and international environments.

Your future career is supported in several important ways:

• Career support services: The School of Business and Economics offers dedicated Career Services, including help with CV writing, LinkedIn profiles, interview preparation, and guidance in finding internships or relevant work experience.

• Strong analytical foundation: The programme equips students with research, quantitative, and problem-solving skills that employers value in roles related to economic analysis, financial planning, policy advice, and business strategy.

• Internship opportunities: Students have the option to gain practical experience through internships, helping them build professional connections and apply their knowledge in real organisations.

• Wide employment sectors: Graduates work in private companies, financial institutions, consultancy firms, government organisations, and international institutions, reflecting the degree’s broad relevance and flexibility.

• International career readiness: The programme prepares students for opportunities both in the Netherlands and abroad, giving them the skills needed for global business and economic roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this bachelor’s degree, many students choose to continue with a Master’s programme in fields such as Economics, Finance, Marketing, Accounting and Control, or Econometrics and Operations Research. These advanced degrees allow students to specialise further, strengthen their expertise, and prepare for senior professional roles or research careers.

Country Requirements

India: Applicants must have the All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE) with grades A1, A2 or B1 in 5 academic subjects, the Indian School Certificate (CISCE) with at least 75% in 5 academic subjects, or the NIOS Senior Secondary certificate with grades A, B or C or at least 75% in 5 academic subjects.
China: Senior middle school graduation certificate (Gaozhong), a high Gaokao score and at least 1 year of credits in academic education obtained at an internationally recognised university
South Africa: Applicants must hold a National Senior Certificate (NSC) from UMALUSI or IEB with 7 accepted subjects, an overall average of about 70% (minimum 65%), eligibility for bachelor’s admission in South Africa, and an IEB Advanced Programme or Further Studies Certificate in Mathematics, Physics, or English with at least 55%.
Egypt: Al Azhar Secondary Education Certificate/General Secondary Education Certificate and at least 1 year of credits in academic education at an internationally recognised university
Pakistan: Applicants must have a Higher Secondary School Certificate or Intermediate School Certificate with at least a grade C and at least one year of academic credits from an internationally recognised university, or a Bachelor (Pass) degree.
Canada: Applicants must hold a provincial high school diploma (such as Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Quebec DEC, or Ontario OSSD) with at least five to six Grade 12 academic courses and a minimum score of about 75% per course; some online or offshore diplomas may be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
France: Applicants must hold the Baccalaureat General.
Germany: Applicants must hold the Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife or the Zeugnis der fachgebundenen Hochschulreife.
Turkey: Applicants must have a high school diploma with about 80% GPA in the final two years from a Label France Education school, or a Lise Diplomasi with at least one year of academic credits from an internationally recognised university.
USA: High School Diploma with required AP subjects (including AP Calculus AB or BC with a score of at least 3); no official GPA cutoff, though a 3.0+ GPA is generally recommended.
30–34+ IB points is generally considered a comfortable profile for admission, provided you meet the Mathematics requirement
A-levels around BBB–ABB with Mathematics preferably B or higher; stronger grades (A/A) improve competitiveness.