Bachelor's in Economics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Stockholm University

Program Overview

Stockholm University offers a rigorous Bachelor's Programme in Economics that equips you with powerful analytical tools to understand how economies work and solve real-world problems. Whether you're interested in government policy, international finance, or business strategy, this programme gives you the foundation to pursue economics across virtually any sector.

Curriculum Structure

First Year (Foundation Level)
You'll start by building your economic literacy from the ground up. These introductory courses establish the core concepts you'll need, covering both how individual markets function and how entire economies operate at a macro level. This foundational year ensures everyone enters intermediate coursework with the same solid understanding, regardless of background.

Second Year (Intermediate Level)
Your studies deepen significantly as you tackle Intermediate Macroeconomics and Intermediate Microeconomics, which let you analyze economic problems with real sophistication. You'll also take Empirical Methods in Economics I, developing the practical research and data analysis skills that employers actually value. You have flexibility here too—you'll choose an optional economics course that aligns with your interests, whether that's finance, development, or public policy.

Third Year (Specialization & Thesis)
You'll complete your Bachelor's Thesis in Economics, applying everything you've learned to a research question you're genuinely curious about. Alongside this capstone project, you'll take two more optional economics courses, allowing you to specialize in areas that excite you most. This final year transforms you from a student into an independent researcher.

Focus Areas
Economics at Stockholm University covers microeconomics, macroeconomics, empirical research methods, and applied economic analysis across sectors including public policy, finance, and international development.

Learning Outcomes
You'll develop the ability to analyze economic problems systematically, interpret data and statistical evidence, understand policy implications, and communicate economic ideas clearly to diverse audiences.

Professional Alignment
Stockholm University's economics graduates work as economists and analysts across national and international organisations, government agencies, and finance institutions. The programme's research-led approach—taught partly by researchers at the Institute for International Economic Studies (IIES)—ensures you learn from active scholars shaping the field.

Reputation & Employability
Stockholm University is one of the best environments in Europe for research and higher education in Economics. The Department of Economics maintains strong international partnerships through the Socrates/Erasmus Exchange Program and NORDPLUS agreements, giving you global credibility. The university's doctoral programme in Economics is broadly considered one of Europe's very best, reflecting the department's exceptional academic standing and track record of producing economists who enter the global job market successfully.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Economics Programme at Stockholm University develop practical analytical skills by working closely with active researchers and engaging with real societal economic issues such as growth, environmental policy, and development economics. The programme combines economic theory with quantitative methods, while also integrating courses in business administration, law, and political science — giving students hands‑on exposure to how economic decisions interact with policy, institutions, and markets. Teaching is delivered by leading researchers, many with experience in government agencies, central banks, and expert organizations, ensuring learning is grounded in real-world applications. The programme is also developed in collaboration with employers and public institutions, strengthening its applied and career-focused learning approach:

Quantitative and empirical methods courses where students apply economic analysis and data-driven techniques
Interdisciplinary group learning across economics, business administration, law, and political science modules
Research-led teaching from faculty affiliated with institutes such as the Institute for International Economic Studies (IIES) and Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI)
Independent bachelor’s thesis in economics involving supervised research and applied analysis
Exchange semester opportunities through Erasmus, NORDPLUS, and university-wide agreements
Collaboration with public-sector and industry stakeholders including central banks, government agencies, and international organizations
Access to research-driven academic environment within the Department of Economics with faculty-led seminars and advanced methodological training
Optional specialization courses allowing applied focus areas in later semesters

For a full list of facilities and resources available to students, visit the course catalogue at Stockholm University.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Stockholm University, our Bachelor's in Economics program dives right into practical skills through hands-on projects, empirical analysis, and real-world economic problem-solving, all backed by top faculty from the Department of Economics, IIES, and SOFI who teach over 1,000 undergrads each year. You'll build expertise using theoretical and empirical methods—think analyzing labor markets, macro trends, or development economics—in a collaborative international setting with Erasmus exchanges to nearly 20 European universities and global study options. Located at the modern Campus Albano, you'll have access to cutting-edge resources that make learning feel dynamic and career-ready.

Here's how experiential learning comes alive in the program, with specific facilities and opportunities tailored to economics students:
- Group projects and collaborations: Work closely with peers and lecturers from the Department of Economics, IIES, and SOFI on analytical tasks, mirroring professional economist teamwork in government or business.
- International exchanges for real-world exposure: Join bilateral Erasmus agreements with ~20 European universities or NORDPLUS/central exchanges to apply economic concepts abroad, plus options for non-European students via the university's international office.
- Research-driven environment: Engage with leading research in fields like development economics, labor markets, political economics, and macroeconomics, supported by 17 full professors and collaborative institutes.
- Modern campus facilities at Campus Albano: Study in newly built spaces near Stockholm's business hub, with student housing, green areas, and proximity to the city center for networking and inspiration.
- University library resources: Tap into one of Sweden's largest research libraries with extensive study spaces, long hours, and specialized support for economics research and data analysis.

Imagine gaining these skills in one of Europe's best economics environments—it's the perfect launchpad for your career. Ready to apply? Head to our courses and programmes page for details: https://www.su.se/department-of-economics/education/courses-and-programmes