Bachelor's Degree in Economics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Coimbra

Program Overview

The Bachelor's Degree in Economics at the University of Coimbra is a dynamic 3-year program (six semesters) that builds a strong foundation in microeconomics and macroeconomics while blending in key management concepts, all with an ethical and sustainability focus—perfect for students curious about how economies work and eager to interpret real-world business challenges. It's ideal for motivated high school grads who love math, problem-solving, and understanding global trends, offering 180 ECTS credits with flexibility through optional units to tailor your path toward careers or master's programs.

Curriculum Structure
First Year
You'll kick off with the essentials, diving into Principles of Microeconomics to grasp how individuals and firms make decisions in markets, alongside Mathematics for Economics and Management I to sharpen your analytical tools for economic modeling. Macroeconomics introduces big-picture ideas like growth and inflation, while courses like Statistics for Economics and Management I equip you with data skills to analyze economic trends right from the start—setting a solid base without overwhelming you. This year blends theory with practical insights, making complex ideas feel approachable and exciting.

Second Year
Building momentum, you'll explore Statistics for Economics and Management II and Econometrics to master data-driven predictions and testing economic theories with real stats. Industrial Economics shows how industries compete and innovate, paired with Economic and Enterprise Law to understand regulations shaping businesses—giving you a well-rounded view of market dynamics. It's a year of connecting dots between numbers, policy, and strategy, preparing you to tackle sophisticated economic puzzles.

Third Year
The final stretch emphasizes integration with an Integrative Project (12 ECTS) where you apply everything to a real-world challenge, plus a skills unit (6 ECTS) for professional polish. Dive into advanced topics like Growth and Macroeconomics or options in Multidisciplinary Fields, Economics, and Management—choosing four units, such as from quantitative methods or free electives across FEUC. You'll emerge with a personalized portfolio, ready for jobs or grad school, having customized your expertise.

Focus Areas
Core strengths in micro/macroeconomic theory, quantitative methods (statistics, econometrics), management fundamentals, and electives in economics, management, or multidisciplinary topics for a versatile skill set.

Learning Outcomes
Gain solid grasp of economic realities, interpret business through management lenses with ethical/sustainability emphasis, and build competencies for master's studies or professional roles.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
Accredited under Decree-Law nr 74/2006, ensuring EU standards; 180 ECTS with 138 mandatory and 42 optional credits, including conditioned blocks for depth.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
FEUC graduates excel in employability, with economics alumni primed for banking, consulting, policy, and more—backed by Coimbra's historic prestige and access to 2nd-cycle studies.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Economics programme at the University of Coimbra develop practical skills through applied classes that combine economic theory with real data analysis and experimental work. Teaching focuses on hands-on learning, where students interpret datasets, design small experiments, and discuss policy implications in a collaborative environment. Many course units include interactive sessions, presentations, and guided research activities that help students understand how economic concepts are used in real-world decision-making:

Practical classes combining theoretical concepts with applied exercises in experimental and behavioural economics
Use of analytical and econometric software to interpret experimental results and economic datasets
Student presentations based on experimental design, data analysis, and policy evaluation
Interactive discussion sessions focused on real and simulated economic problems
Tutorial support for research essays, applied assignments, and academic projects
Case-study work analyzing firms, markets, innovation systems, and public policy
Group projects involving experimental design and collaborative economic analysis
Applied coursework evaluating innovation policies, patents, and market behaviour
Access to academic bibliography and research materials for empirical economic work
Face-to-face sessions centered on collaborative problem solving and applied learning

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the University of Coimbra's Faculty of Economics, our Bachelor's Degree in Economics emphasizes hands-on learning through group projects and interactive assessments that build real-world skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and presentation abilities, all tailored to economic analysis and decision-making. You'll work closely with a young, qualified teaching staff who bring international experience into modern, functional facilities designed for collaborative and experiential training. This approach blends classroom theory with practical group work, preparing you to tackle economic challenges just like professionals do.

Here are some key ways our program delivers experiential learning:
- Group projects: Core to the curriculum, these individual and group assignments often include oral defenses, simulating professional teamwork in economics research and analysis.
- Modern facilities: State-of-the-art spaces at the Faculty of Economics (Avenida Dias da Silva, 165) support interactive sessions, with functional setups for group interactions and presentations.
- Assessment via practical work: Evaluations include written/practical tasks and class participation, honing skills in economic problem recognition and resolution.

Applying to our Bachelor's in Economics is your chance to gain these skills in one of Europe's oldest universities—deadlines are coming up soon, so let's get your application started!