Bachelor's degree in Economics-Statistics (interuniversity UB-UPC double degree)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Polytechnic University of Catalonia

Program Overview

This Degree in Economics-Statistics (double interuniversity degree UB-UPC) at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) is a powerful 5.5-year face-to-face program that awards two full degrees—one in Economics from Universitat de Barcelona (UB) and one in Statistics from UPC—blending economic theory with cutting-edge data skills. It's perfect for students passionate about turning data into real-world decisions, whether in business, policy, or research, and equips you to adapt quickly to economic shifts while solving complex problems through advanced analysis.

Curriculum structure
First year lays a strong foundation by introducing core tools like Descriptive Statistics, Introduction to Probability, and Principles of Economics, helping you grasp how data describes the world and basic economic principles shape it. You'll also dive into Introduction to Statistical Inference and Linear Algebra, building the math skills essential for everything that follows, all while getting hands-on with Programming to handle real datasets from day one. This year sets you up to think like both an economist and a statistician right away.

Second year ramps up with practical applications, such as Sampling Methods, Probability and Stochastic Processes, and Official Statistics, teaching you how to collect reliable data and understand random events in economic contexts. Courses like Statistical Inference and Statistics for Quality Management sharpen your ability to draw meaningful conclusions from uncertainty, while Survey Design prepares you to gather insights from real populations. It's where theory meets actionable skills for market analysis or policy work.

Third and fourth years deepen your expertise through advanced topics like Econometrics, Linear Models, and Multivariate Analysis, enabling you to model economic relationships and handle complex datasets. You'll explore Experimental Design, Files and Databases, and Non-Linear Programming and Network Flows, gaining tools for optimization and big data management that employers crave. These years bridge economics and stats, focusing on predictive power for finance or public sector challenges.

Fifth and final year (plus half) culminates in specialized electives such as Statistical Methods for Data Mining, Statistical Methods for Finance and Insurance, and Survival Analysis, plus your Bachelor's Thesis, letting you tailor skills to hot areas like AI-driven economics or risk assessment. This capstone phase hones decision-making under pressure, drawing on UB and UPC's combined strengths in tech, economics, and health sciences.

Focus areas (in a string): Advanced data analysis, econometrics, probability, operations research, market research, financial modeling, public statistics, quality control, and health data studies.

Learning outcomes (in a string): Rapidly adapt to economic/social changes; identify problems and deliver data-driven solutions; master info collection/analysis for optimal decisions; apply economic theory and statistical techniques across private/public sectors.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Fully accredited under Catalonia's university regulations, with 5.5 years of face-to-face training at UPC's School of Mathematics and Statistics (FME) and UB coordination, ensuring dual official degrees recognized EU-wide for data/economics roles.

Reputation (employability rankings): Graduates excel in high-demand fields like data analysis for private firms, government stats institutes, finance/risk depts, market research, and public health—backed by UPC's top engineering rep and interuniversity prestige, with strong placement in cost analysis, foreign markets, and actuarial work.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Degree in Economics-Statistics (double interuniversity degree UB-UPC) at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia's School of Mathematics and Statistics (FME), you'll dive into hands-on learning that builds real-world skills in data analysis, economic modeling, and decision-making—skills employers in stats institutes, finance, and public sectors crave. Taught face-to-face with mornings and afternoons at FME, the program combines UB's economics expertise with UPC's tech edge, using tools like statistical software to turn raw data into smart solutions for economic challenges. You'll graduate ready to adapt to changes, spot problems, and deliver data-driven fixes, all while earning two degrees in just 5.5 years.

This practical focus shines through specific courses and resources tailored to economics and stats:

- Statistical Software course in the second year, covering tools like R and SAS (seen in related advanced training), so you master industry-standard software for data crunching and analysis right away.
- Practicum I and II (6 ECTS each) in the fourth year, offering structured internships or external placements to apply stats and economics in real settings like official statistics institutes or health departments.
- Group-oriented projects embedded in courses like Survey Design, Sampling Methods, and Statistical Methods for Data Mining, where you'll collaborate on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting economic data.
- Access to FME's computing labs and facilities at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, equipped for programming, numerical methods, and stats simulations in subjects like Programming and Numerical Methods.
- UB-UPC joint resources, including libraries and research-designated spaces at both universities, supporting work in probability, operations research, and economic applications.

Imagine putting these to work in internships at labor market agencies or finance firms—it's the edge that sets you apart.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the Interuniversity Double Degree in Economics and Statistics at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and University of Barcelona prepares you for strong, data-driven careers in today’s job market. With advanced training in economics, mathematics, and statistical analysis, you will be ready for roles such as Data Analyst, Economic Consultant, Financial Analyst, or Market Research Specialist. Employers highly value this combination of analytical thinking and economic understanding, giving you flexibility across finance, consulting, technology, and public institutions.

This programme supports your professional success through:

Career and employment services: Access to university job boards, career guidance, CV support, internship opportunities, and connections with companies through institutional employment platforms. These services help students gain practical experience before graduation.
Strong employment outcomes: Universities in Catalonia report high graduate employability rates, with a large percentage of students finding employment within one year after completing their degree.
University–industry connections: The programme benefits from collaboration between two leading universities, combining strengths in economics, statistics, engineering, and quantitative research, which aligns closely with industry needs in finance, consulting, data science, and public administration.
Long-term academic recognition: This is an official and fully accredited Spanish university degree, ensuring national and international recognition for both employment and further studies.
Positive graduation outcomes: Graduates are well prepared for analytical positions in economic research units, financial institutions, statistical agencies, consulting firms, and data-driven organizations.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this double degree, you can continue your education with specialised master’s programmes in areas such as Economics, Data Science, Big Data Analytics, Financial Engineering, Business Analytics, or related quantitative fields. Many graduates choose to pursue advanced studies to deepen their expertise, increase career opportunities, or prepare for research and PhD pathways in economics and statistics.