The programme
You will complete assignments in small teams. This process will teach you to cooperate quickly and effectively with fellow students, each of whom has a different (potentially international) background. Employers increasingly value this skill as well.
While the lectures will be given in English, you will also have the option to take your seminars in the 1st year in Dutch if you prefer. Afterwards, the programme will be entirely taught in English.
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Year 1: develop a solid foundation
In the 1st year, you will become familiar with the basic concepts of economics and business economics. You will start with the course on Principles of Economics and Business. This course will introduce you to the fundamental issues as well as the underlying concepts of Economics, Business Economics and Business Administration.
For the rest of the year, you will follow introductory courses on 5 major topics:
- Accounting
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Finance
- Economics of Markets and Organisations.
You will also take supporting classes in Mathematics and Statistics. You will round off your year with an exciting research project. This project will give you a chance to practise conducting research and, by doing so, develop your skills.
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Year 2: deepen your basic knowledge
In the 1st semester, you will deepen your knowledge of statistics and econometrics. You will also learn all about the concept of money, which is a vital component of both economists’ and business economists’ work. To do so, you will complete the courses on Money & Banking as well as International Money and Finance.
Finally, you will ‘zoom out’ to explore the nature of economics as a science during the course on Economic Methodology.
Choose your specialisation
In the 2nd semester, you will continue your chosen major in either Economics or Business Economics. If you have chosen Business Economics, you will follow courses in Corporate Law, Strategy, Accounting and Finance. Those who opted for Economics will take courses in Game Theory, Microeconomics, Mathematics and Macroeconomics.Take part in the Research Lab
You will conclude the year with a Research Laboratory. Within the laboratory, you will gain knowledge in existing research projects related to economics or business economics. This is an excellent way to get acquainted with conducting research. -
Year 3: internship, study abroad or minor and specialise
First semester
My Semester: customise your programme
Your 3rd year is all about exploring your individual academic interests. Options include an internship, studying abroad, pursuing a minor or taking a number of electives.
- Doing an internship: work at a company where you can put the experience and skills that you have gained into practice.
- Studying abroad: spend a semester studying at a different university to give you an exciting experience.
- Doing a minor: this ‘mini-curriculum’ gives you a chance to broaden and differentiate your knowledge. Pick up a few courses in Philosophy, Law or Chinese Language and Culture.
Second semester
During the 2nd semester of this year, Business Economics students will specialise in either Accounting and Control, Finance or Organisational Economics.
If you choose a major in Economics, you will be able to design your own curriculum from a list of suitable courses. This list can be found in the course catalogue.
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Thesis
Is there a particular topic that sparks your enthusiasm? Writing your thesis, you have the chance to explore it fully while simultaneously training your ability to independently conduct relevant research. Your thesis is the final requirement to be completed for your graduation. Under the supervision of our researchers, you will follow a clearly defined path that will lead to your graduation with a Bachelor's degree.
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Mathematics 1 for EconomicsPeriod 16
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Principles of Economics and Business 1Period 16
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Principles of Economics and Business 2Period 1Period 2Period 36
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Financial Accounting 1 for EconomicsPeriod 26
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Microeconomics 1Period 26
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Macroeconomics 1Period 46
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Statistics 1 for EconomicsPeriod 46
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Research ProjectPeriod 4Period 5Period 66
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Economics of Markets and OrganisationsPeriod 56
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Finance 1Period 56
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Money and BankingPeriod 16
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Statistics 2 for EconomicsPeriod 16
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EconometricsPeriod 26
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International Money and FinancePeriod 26
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Economic MethodologyPeriod 36
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Specialisation coursesPeriod 4Period 5Period 630
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Free-choice electives: Minor programme, or Studying abroad, or Company Internship, or ElectivesPeriod 1Period 2Period 330
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Specialisation courses + thesisPeriod 4Period 5Period 630

This programme opens up numerous doors. It connects fields such as finance, governance, sociology and even psychology. It reveals how the world works and why it looks the way it doesJán Gercák, student BSc Economics and Business Economics Read about Ján's experiences with this Bachelor's
Student coaching
The transition from secondary school to university can be a major step. For this reason, you will receive intensive academic counselling as a 1-year student. You can also count on individual support during the rest of your studies.

Hi, I'm Yun Jin! I'm a Bachelor’s student in Economics and Business Economics from Korea. Got questions about studying at the UvA? Get in touch.Chat with Yun Jin
Additional options during your studies
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Minors and electives
The UvA offers a variety of minors and a wide selection of elective courses that you can undertake during your university years to broaden or deepen your knowledge.
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Honours programme
If you are ambitious, you can choose to take part in our Honours programme. You take the Honours programme alongside your regular studies. Completion results in you graduating 'with honours': an internationally recognised qualification.
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Internships
During your Bachelor's programme, you could put your knowledge into practice by means of a work placement.
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Studying a semester abroad
Studying abroad allows you to get to know a different culture, language and country, and we strongly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity. We have made collaborative and exchange agreements with over a 100 universities abroad, enabling you to study there for a semester.
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Dutch language course
Are you interested in learning Dutch? There are different options to give you the opportunity to maximise your Dutch experience and prepare for your future job in the Netherlands.
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Study associations
Many of our students are members of a study association. It is fun and useful for your future career at the same time. Faculty student associations are a great way to meet fellow students and future employers. They organise study trips (abroad), career events, weekly debates, parties and receptions with drinks. Sometimes you can also purchase your textbooks and course syllabi at reduced rates.
Overview Study Associations
- Faculty student association Sefa
- International Student Committee (ISC,part of Sefa)
- International Student Network Amsterdam (ISN, part of Sefa)
- Study Association Actuarial Sciences, Econometrics and Operational Research (VSAE)
- Financial Study Association Amsterdam (FSA)
- Marketing Association Amsterdam (MAA)
- International study association (AIESEC)
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Student associations
Amsterdam has a thriving student community with many activities organised outside of the university’s grounds. You will find student associations focusing on networking, specific interests and sports. It is only at sororities and fraternities that you can expect an initiation ritual (hazing).
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Student participation
At university, you are entitled to make your voice heard and assess the quality of your own education. Students can participate in the discussion on the university's education policy in various ways, such as by joining the Programme Committee, the Faculty Student Council or the student panel. You can also stand for election and dedicate your efforts to the programme and your fellow students.
'The lecturers are generally of a high quality, which you notice when you attend classes. This makes it so much easier to study and to understand the subject matter. You feel taken seriously by the teachers.'

Interactive Online Learning at UvA Economics and Business
During your Bachelor’s, you will experience an inspiring combination of both offline and online education. We work with a blended learning teaching method. By applying this method, you will be able to combine different types of learning into 1 approach and enjoy mastering knowledge at your own pace. During class there will be more time for in-depth analyses and interaction with your lecturer and peers.
Types of education
In this programme, you will find that in your education there’s a balance between innovative teaching methods and traditional forms. Writing an academic paper can be alternated by an online challenge. A peer-feedback assignments or a video recording with explanation can also be part of the teaching method.
Our Centre for Educational Innovation and our Teaching and Learning Centre are continuously working on improving our teaching methods. We take the interactions between students, teachers, and learning resources into account. In doing so, we hope to offer you the right combination of challenging, effective, and efficient education.