Bachelor's degree in Economics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Pompeu Fabra University

Program Overview

The Bachelor's degree in Economics at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) is a four-year, full-time program that equips you with solid theoretical and practical tools to analyze economic situations and make informed decisions—perfect for students passionate about understanding global markets, policy, and business dynamics. You'll dive into a mix of basic subjects (60 ECTS), compulsory courses (115 ECTS), optional subjects including internships (59 ECTS), and cap it off with a final project (6 ECTS), all taught in Catalan, Spanish, and English (with 30 compulsory English credits later on).

Curriculum Structure
First Year
In your first year, you'll build a strong foundation in core economic principles and supporting disciplines, starting with Mathematics I, which sharpens your quantitative skills for modeling real-world problems, alongside Introduction to Economics to grasp basic micro and macro concepts. You'll also tackle Statistics to learn data analysis essentials, setting you up perfectly for deeper economic thinking right from the start—it's engaging and practical, with weekly theory sessions and seminars.

Second Year
Year two ramps up with intermediate tools like Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, where you'll explore consumer behavior, market structures, and national income dynamics through real case studies. Econometrics I introduces you to statistical methods for testing economic theories, making everything feel relevant and applicable as you start connecting theory to data-driven insights.

Third Year
Here, things get specialized with advanced topics such as Advanced Microeconomics, diving into game theory and strategic decision-making, and International Economics, which covers trade policies and global finance. You'll also take Econometrics II to refine your skills in regression analysis and forecasting, preparing you to tackle complex policy questions with confidence.

Fourth Year
Your final year focuses on integration and choice, with options like Public Economics for understanding taxation and welfare systems, Monetary Economics on central banking and inflation, and hands-on external internships for real-world experience. It all culminates in your bachelor's degree final project, where you apply everything to a personal research topic, launching you toward your career.

Focus Areas
Tailor your path with electives in areas like international trade, financial economics, labor markets, and economic policy, plus internships for practical edge.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates gain skills in economic modeling, data analysis, policy evaluation, and critical thinking—ready to interpret global trends and advise on business or public decisions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This official bachelor's degree follows the European Higher Education Area standards (240 ECTS), with mandatory English training and internships, ensuring Bologna Process accreditation and seamless mobility across Europe.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
UPF's School of Economics and Business ranks among Europe's top for economics (e.g., consistently high in QS World University Rankings by Subject), with graduates landing roles in consulting, finance, and policy—over 90% employed or in further studies shortly after.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UPF's Bachelor's degree in Economics equips you with both cutting-edge theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical experience that goes far beyond traditional classroom learning. This four-year program doesn't just teach you economics—it immerses you in real-world analysis and research, preparing you for meaningful careers in finance, policy, consulting, and beyond.

How You'll Gain Real-World Skills

The program combines structured classroom instruction with substantial independent work, creating an environment where learning happens in multiple ways. You'll spend 2 hours per week in theory sessions and 90 minutes in seminars for each subject, but the real depth comes from your personal work—each credit represents 25 hours of study—where you'll apply concepts to actual economic problems. What makes this distinctive is access to UPF's dedicated research infrastructure and learning tools that bring economics to life:

- Research Laboratory on Behavioral and Experimental Sciences (BES_Lab): Located in the Mercè Rodoreda 24 building on the Ciutadella campus, this facility merges experimental economics with behavioral research. The lab features 28 computer-equipped cubicles where you can participate in and conduct studies, plus dedicated spaces for group experiments and focus groups
- Specialized software for economic analysis: All lab computers come preloaded with Qualtrics (for surveys and data collection) and Z-tree (for experimental economics), along with full Office suites and university-wide data analysis software—exactly the tools professional economists use
- Internship opportunities: The program includes optional external internship credits (part of your 59 optional credit hours), giving you direct experience in real organizations
- Bachelor's degree final project: Your 6-credit capstone project lets you conduct original economic research or analysis on a topic you're passionate about
- Multilingual instruction: Core content is taught in Catalan and Spanish, with 30 compulsory credits specifically in English during the second half of your studies, preparing you for international economics careers
- Active seminar-based learning: Beyond lectures, you'll engage in 90-minute seminars each week where concepts are discussed, debated, and applied collaboratively
- Access to university research institutes: UPF hosts the Barcelona School of Economics (BSE) and multiple research centers focused on economics and governance, creating opportunities for students to engage with cutting-edge research

The program structure—240 ECTS credits spread across 60 basic credits, 115 compulsory credits, and 59 optional credits—is deliberately designed to progressively deepen your practical capabilities alongside theory.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor’s Degree in Economics at Universitat Pompeu Fabra develop strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued in today’s job market. The programme prepares you for roles where understanding data, markets, and economic trends is essential. Typical career paths include Economic Analyst, Financial Analyst or Consultant, Policy Advisor, and Research Assistant in public institutions, international organisations, or private companies.

University services that support employability:
UPF provides dedicated career support, including CV and interview workshops, job search guidance, and networking events with employers. Students also have access to internship opportunities with national and international organisations, helping them gain practical experience before graduation.
Employment outcomes:
The university reports strong graduate employment results, with a high percentage of students entering the job market shortly after completing their studies. The Economics degree equips you with skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and economic modelling, which are in demand across finance, consulting, government, and research sectors.
University–industry and international connections:
The programme benefits from UPF’s wide network of academic and international exchange partners. Students can participate in study abroad opportunities, strengthening their global perspective and professional network.
Long-term academic and professional value:
UPF is widely recognised for excellence in economics and social sciences. A degree from this institution provides strong academic credibility and enhances opportunities for both international employment and further study.
Graduation outcomes:
By the end of the programme, you will be able to analyse economic issues confidently, interpret data effectively, and apply economic reasoning to real-world problems in business, finance, or public policy.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can pursue a master’s in Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Data Science, or related fields to specialise further. Many graduates continue into advanced postgraduate programmes or research degrees, opening doors to leadership positions, consultancy roles, international organisations, and academic careers.