Economy and Society - Bachelor's Programme

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Lund University

Program Overview

The Economy and Society Bachelor's Programme at Lund University is a three-year English-taught degree that equips you with a solid foundation in how economies and societies evolve together, blending economic history, economics, and social sciences to tackle real-world global challenges. It's ideal for curious students passionate about understanding long-term development, inequality, and sustainability—whether you're aiming for careers in policy, international organizations, or further studies—and you'll build essential skills like data analysis, teamwork, and clear communication alongside classmates from around the world.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
You'll kick off with a broad introduction to economic history through *The Rise of Europe and the Atlantic Economy, ca. 1000-1890*, exploring how global economies took shape over centuries with a focus on trade, migration, and institutional changes. In semester 2, dive into microeconomics fundamentals and practical skills, building tools to analyze markets and individual behaviors, followed by hands-on application to real economic scenarios. Semester 3 shifts to macroeconomics, complementing your micro knowledge while sharpening academic skills like data handling and presentation.

Year 2
Building on your foundation, semester 4 offers *Economy and Society: Demographic Challenges*, examining how aging populations, birth rates, and migration reshape welfare states and economies today. You'll also tackle *Economics: Financial Economics* to understand markets, investments, and risks, alongside *Economy and Society: Skill Training 1 - Statistics and Data* for mastering quantitative analysis with real datasets. This year broadens your horizons with elective packages from other Lund departments, letting you explore business, society, or international topics while deepening your analytical edge.

Year 3
Gain flexibility with electives like international exchange, internships, or specialized courses in semester 5, tailoring your path to interests in global sustainability or regional development. In your final semester, *Economy and Society: Research Design, Methods and Data Collection* prepares you for independent work, leading straight into the *Bachelor's Thesis* where you'll apply everything to solve a complex problem of your choice. This capstone builds confidence for research or professional roles.

Focus areas
Global economic history, micro/macro economics, demographic shifts, financial markets, statistics and data analysis, research methods, sustainability, and regional development—all with a lens on how social structures drive change.

Learning outcomes
Graduates gain skills to analyze economic-social interactions, handle data and research independently, communicate insights effectively, and navigate multicultural teams—preparing you to evaluate global challenges with clarity and purpose.

Professional alignment (accreditation)
The programme aligns with Lund University School of Economics and Management (LUSEM) standards, delivering a Bachelor's degree recognized across Europe for roles in public/private sectors, development, and international relations; many continue to top Master's programmes.

Reputation (employability rankings)
Lund University consistently ranks among Europe's top 100 (QS World University Rankings) and Sweden's best for employability, with strong outcomes in social sciences and economics—graduates land analytical roles globally thanks to the programme's research-driven edge at a leading Nordic institution.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Economy and Society Bachelor's programme at Lund University, you'll gain hands-on practical skills right from the start, like handling data with statistical tools, communicating your findings effectively, and thriving in multicultural team settings with classmates from around the world. Courses such as Skill Training 1 - Statistics and Data teach you to collect, process, and interpret real-world economic and social data using essential software and methods, building a toolkit that's directly applicable to global challenges. You'll also sharpen your writing and reporting abilities in dedicated skill-building courses, all while tackling group work and research projects that mirror what experts do at this top Nordic university.

 

This practical focus extends into exciting opportunities like these:
- Internships: In semester 5, you can opt for a professional internship to apply your skills in real organizations, boosting your career readiness—just like alumni who've landed roles at places like Mercedes-Benz.
- Group projects and teamwork: The programme emphasizes collaborative learning from day one, including group work in research-heavy courses that connect current theories to societal issues, as shared by current students.
- Statistical software and data tools: Hands-on training with software for quantitative analysis in courses like Skill Training 1, where you'll process data to explore economic changes and develop a critical eye for results.
- Study abroad or exchanges: Spend a semester overseas in semester 5, like student Julia did at Queen's University in Canada, broadening your global perspective with elective international studies.
- Research methods and thesis: Capstone in semester 6 with Research Design, Methods and Data Collection, leading to your Bachelor's thesis—honing independent problem-solving in a dedicated research environment.

These experiences, backed by Lund University's world-class resources, set you up perfectly for international careers or top master's programmes

Progression & Future Opportunities

In the Economy and Society Bachelor's programme at Lund University, you'll build hands-on skills right from the start, like handling data, communicating your findings, and thriving in multicultural team settings—skills that employers love for global careers. Courses such as Skill Training 1 dive into statistics and quantitative analysis, where you collect, process, and interpret real-world economic and social data using essential software tools. You'll also sharpen practical abilities through writing, reporting, and presenting, all while tackling group work and research methods that mirror what experts do at this top Nordic university.

 

Here are some standout ways the programme turns theory into real-world readiness::

- Skill Training 1 - Statistics and Data: Master fundamental stats and software for data collection, processing, and analysis to uncover insights on economic and social trends—perfect for policy or research roles.
- Group projects and teamwork: Collaborate with classmates from around the world on assignments that build your ability to analyze complex issues together, just like in professional multicultural environments.
- Internships: Opt for an internship in semester 5 to gain professional experience and boost your global perspective—many students land opportunities that apply classroom knowledge directly.
- Study abroad or exchanges: Spend a semester overseas, like one student did at Queen's University in Canada, broadening your horizons with international courses in economy and development.
- Research-focused final term: Hone methods and data collection skills, then tackle your own Bachelor's thesis—developing independence and problem-solving for future careers or grad school.

Program Key Stats

SEK390000
SEK 900


No

Eligibility Criteria

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6.5
90

Additional Information & Requirements

Country Requirements

Career Options

  • Analyst
  • Consultant
  • Associate
  • Fellow
  • Specialist
  • Sustainability specialist
  • Policy analyst
  • Marketing specialist
  • Strategic development specialist
  • Government officer
  • Communication officer
  • International organisation officer
  • Business analyst
  • Research assistant
  • Development analyst
  • Programme coordinator
  • Project associate
  • Corporate strategist

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