The main difference is the name of the degree programme. UvA’s Bachelor’s programme in Business Administration is taught in English. The students, teaching staff and study materials are international and students have the opportunity to go on an exchange to a university in another country, allowing them to study abroad for 6 months. In addition, the curriculum includes specialist courses on internationalisation, such as International Business and International Management. In short, the UvA’s Business Administration Bachelor’s programme’s focus on international business is reflected in its curriculum.

Although these 2 Bachelor’s programmes share certain aspects, there are major differences between them. Economics and Business Economics is an economics-focused, analytical degree programme that largely seeks to address mathematical issues. As a consequence, Economics and Business Economics students spend most of their time looking at issues relating to figures, such as in accountancy and finance, from a business administration perspective. Business Administration deals with everything involved in managing a business, especially strategic aspects and aspects related to people (customers, staff). This makes Business Administration a multidisciplinary Bachelor’s programme that involves a greater variety of disciplines than Economics and Business Economics.

As part of this 3-year Bachelor’s programme, you will learn how to solve business related problems with the help of a variety of disciplines. One of those is mathematics. In addition, you’ll acquire extensive knowledge on bookkeeping, finances and statistics - disciplines for which you will need to use your mathematical skills. This means that you will have an advantage if you are good at and enjoy mathematics.

Business Administration is a multidisciplinary Bachelor’s programme that leads to a wide range of job possibilities. Jobs that you will be able to take up after graduation include organisation adviser, marketeer, personnel adviser, HR manager, financial analyst, controller and business data analyst. Moreover, potential future employers include all kinds of organisations, including not only banks and multinationals, but also non-profits and public-sector organisations such as the Tax and Customs Administration, municipalities and ministries. Or you can set up your own business.

Sefa, the study association for all Economics and Business students, organises a number of online and offline career events every year. There, you can meet potential future employers.