Program Structure
Course of Study
The degree program "Economics" at Faculty 7 of the University of Bremen offers students a comprehensive micro- and macroeconomic perspective on innovation-driven economic change and its socio-economic implications. Its focus includes, for example, modern growth models with resource limitations, constant structural change and the functioning of (regional and national) innovation systems, the diffusion of ("green") technologies, human behaviour in (adaptable) organizations, the consequences of digitalization for the labour market and the economy as a whole (e.g. through the introduction of AI), and the impact of innovation on the economy as a whole. The content of established economics is not only a question of the content of established economic systems, but also of sustainability issues, for example with regard to learning "green" preferences, the use of collective resources or the taxation of certain consumer behavior and (financial) political action on many levels in a complex, evolving world.
While we cover the content of the established economics curriculum, we expand this canon at appropriate points with, for example, psychological, behavioral or social science content in order to open up new - interdisciplinary - perspectives on economic phenomena. Students also get familiar with modern econometric and experimental methods and modelling techniques, which they apply to the above-mentioned questions.
Structure of the Program
The Bachelor's degree course in Economics (single major subject) has a standard period of study of six semesters and concludes with the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.). The range of subjects on the Business Studies and the Economics degree programs is identical in the first two semesters, so that students can switch between the two courses up to the third semester.
Please find the ideal study plan here:
Detailed information on the degree program is published in the Economics information brochure (German only).
The course of studies is composed of seven areas:
1. Business Studies: accounting & accounts, marketing, finance & investment
2. Economics: microeconomics (basic and advanced), macroeconomics (basic and advanced) as well as economic and fiscal policy
3. Methods: mathematics, data analysis, statistics, applied programming (R), econometrics (basic and advanced)
4. Major: Economic Evolution, Human Behavior and Policy
- Track 1: Sustainability Economics
- Track 2: Digital Economics
5. General Studies – Compulsory Modules: WiWi Onboarding Challenge, Law
6. General Studies – Electives
7. Final Module: Bachelor thesis
In the first half of the course, students learn the basics of business administration and economics. Specialization takes place in the second half of the course. Learning about relevant methods supplements the subject-specific training. The General Studies courses focus on the acquisition of general skills that serve as career orientation and professional qualification. The program concludes with a Bachelor's thesis.
Major
From the fourth semester onwards, students study the major "Evolution of Economics, Human Behavior and Economic Policy". It offers students a comprehensive perspective on innovation-driven economic change, human behavior in economic contexts and political action in a complex, evolving world. While some of the content covered can be found in the standard teaching programs of other economics departments, the usual teaching canon is expanded here by taking into account the latest findings and methods from heterodox areas of economic science and other disciplines in order to arrive at more realistic analyses of economic issues. A clear research and practical link to current economic issues is established within the courses. The profile area is mainly offered by lecturers from the department's Institute for Economic Research and Policy (IERP).
While the courses in the fourth semester offer students a broad view of a wide range of economic issues, the subsequent modules in semesters five and six specialize in two areas (tracks). Students can stick to one track or freely combine the courses offered in the two tracks. A project module in each of the tracks concludes the specialist program. With the "free choice" area, the major also includes a proportion of freely selectable courses. Here, for example, students can study further subject content from business studies or economics or take General Studies courses to deepen their soft skills.
To examine the role of human behaviour in, for example, organizations, the diffusion of technologies or the change in consumption towards sustainable economic development, the modules take a broad perspective from a behavioural science point of view. Insights from anthropology, psychology and evolutionary biology are used. Formal resource and environmental economics are also introduced. Finally, the transition to sustainable economic practices and the path to a "sustainable economy" are discussed.
As part of this track, aspects of shaping economic, scientific and regional policy in times of rapid technological change and internationalization will be discussed. These include topics such as the causes and consequences of digitalization from an economic perspective, its effects on the world of work, certain industries and international taxation. The role of new technologies in development economics is also a subject of consideration.
Stud.IP
The University of Bremen uses the learning and course management system Stud.IP (Study Accompanying Internet Support of Classroom Teaching). The registration requires the username and password of the account given by the Center for Networks (ZfN) for e-mail and other network services. Students receive an activation code and an activation password with their enrollment documents. At the beginning of the semester you should register for your courses via Stud.IP. Here there are course materials and announcements from teachers. Students can also manage their timetable, use discussion forums, access the bulletin board, and much more.
Internship
Internships are generally recommended to students. An internship of at least five weeks may be recognized in the scope of general studies in the amount of 6 ECTS, provided it is completed no earlier than after the second semester. Students need to submit an internship report within a specified period. The Career Center of the University of Bremen and the Office for Practice and Transfer of the Faculty of Business Studies and Economics offer support in searching for internships. Please find further information on internships in the Practice and Transfer section.
Please note: Internships completed before the start of your studies cannot be credited. Vocational training cannot replace the internship.
Semester Abroad
Semesters abroad are not compulsory; however, we strongly recommend them. Based on the recommended study plan, the best time to integrate a semester abroad is the fourth or fifth semester. The freedom of choice in the major offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of recognition options. This means that you can integrate a semester abroad into your studies without risking an overall delay.
Please find detailed information on studying abroad on the faculty's webpage in the section International Affairs - Outgoings.