Study programme
Economics and Business Economics is a three-year English-language programme. Each academic year is divided into four ten-week teaching periods. The programme consists of two parts: the major and the optional course profile. For the first year and a half you focus on the core courses (the major). Later in the programme, you can tailor your studies to suit your interests. You can do this by taking specific electives, taking more economics courses, a dedicated minor, do an internship or study abroad.
What does the study programme look like?
Below you will find an overview of the Economics and Business Economics study programme. Each year consists of four periods of ten weeks, in which you take eight subjects in total.
Teaching methods
During the programme you attend both lectures and tutorials. In a lecture, the tutor discusses a subject with a large group of students explaining its broad outlines. In a tutorial, you discuss a specific topic in a group of up to 30 students. You attend classes for about 12-18 hours a week in the first year and you also carry out assignments. Including preparation and private study, the programme takes up 30-40 hours of your time per week.
Study routes
In the programme you can choose from a broad range of Economics courses enabling you to specialise in topics and perspectives. To help you select those courses that best fit your interests, we have developed different study routes.
Dedicated minor
You may opt to combine Economics with a second field of study: a dedicated minor. This is a package of six subjects designed especially for Economics students. You have the choice of a dedicated minor Law, Geography, Social Sciences or Applied Data Science for Economists. In this case, your thesis is at the interface of Economics and your chosen dedicated minor. Your tutor or study adviser will assist you in making the right choice for you.
Internship or study abroad
It is possible to do an internship in your optional course profile. You can opt to undertake an internship in the Netherlands or abroad. You may also opt to study at a university abroad. Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) has several partner universities abroad. Economics and Business Economics also offers a special exchange programme which enables you to study for a full year at the Italian business school Luiss in Rome: the Luiss Programme. Read more about the experiences of our Luiss students.
Assessments
To test your knowledge and skills, you sit examinations, write essays, hold presentations or undertake group assignments. Each period is followed by an examination week. You complete the programme by writing your bachelor thesis.
Grading system
The grading system in the Netherlands might differ significantly from the grading system you are used to. See here for more information.
Advising and counselling
When starting the Economics and Business Economics programme you will be assigned an academic mentor for the first year of your study. Your mentor monitors, progresses and signals possible obstacles and can answer any question you may have about the programme. Your is also your tutorial teacher for one of the first courses at U.S.E. In addition to the mentor, U.S.E. has three study advisors. You can approach them for more personal matters.
Binding Study Advice (BSA)
At the end of the first year, you are issued with a Binding Study Advice (BSA). To qualify for a positive BSA, you must obtain a minimum of 45 study credits (of the 60 study credits in total) during your first year. If you fail to do so, you must leave the programme. This means that you must pass 6 out of 8 courses.