Economics (Bachelor)

In this program, you will examine economic relationships both from the perspective of individual companies (business administration) and from the perspective of society as a whole (economics). This close integration provides you with a broad foundation in economics that allows you to choose your own area of focus.

• Solid Foundations: You’ll start with a broad foundation in business administration and economics.
• Individual Specializations: Starting in the fourth semester, you’ll shape your own course of study. You’ll choose two major specializations and one minor from areas such as management, marketing, finance, business informatics, sustainability, or economic behavior and governance.
• Interdisciplinary Skills: In addition, you’ll gain knowledge in law, psychology, and ethics, and develop key competencies such as project management, teamwork, and presentation skills.

This allows you to develop professional, methodological, and social skills that prepare you for a career or a master’s degree.

The “Kassel Model” is characterized by a modern, application-oriented perspective. You combine business administration and economics in a unique way: You learn not only how businesses function, but also how entire economies emerge and evolve.

A key distinguishing feature is behavioral economics. This means you’ll explore not only theoretical models but also how people actually make decisions—for example, when it comes to consumption, saving, or working. This approach incorporates insights from psychology, sociology, and other social sciences.

At the same time, the program is strongly application-oriented. You’ll learn to apply economic concepts to current challenges—such as the labor market, inflation, sustainable business practices, or climate policy. This way, you’ll not only understand how the economy works but also how to actively shape it.

At the same time, we place a clear emphasis on sustainability and responsible business practices. You’ll explore how companies can achieve long-term economic success while also assuming environmental and social responsibility.

A bachelor’s degree in economics opens many doors for you: You can work in companies, banks, startups, consulting firms, government agencies, or associations. Typical responsibilities include marketing, management accounting, human resources, consulting, or project work.

Depending on your focus and interests, you can specialize in various areas—from financial analysis to innovation and sustainability projects to the design of digital business processes. You’ll learn to understand economic relationships, make decisions, and actively help shape organizations.

Curious about specific job profiles and exciting career paths? On our page about career prospects, you’ll learn more and gain insights into the opportunities your degree opens up for you.

More on Career Prospects

As a student in the Economics program at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts (), you’ll gain hands-on experience right from the start. In application-oriented seminars, you’ll work on real-world projects and learn to apply your knowledge directly. You can also integrate internships into your degree program and earn credit points for them.

International experiences are also firmly built into the curriculum in Kassel: Through programs like Erasmus+ and our numerous global partnerships, you can easily spend a semester abroad and strengthen your intercultural skills. In addition, field trips and seminars abroad are available—allowing you to combine academic learning directly with international experiences.

The Bachelor’s degree in Economics is a 6-semester program and comprises a total of 180 credit points.

At the beginning of your studies, you’ll acquire the most important fundamentals in business administration and economics during the introductory phase. This is supplemented by mathematics, statistics, and law, so that you can confidently analyze economic relationships.

As you progress, you’ll choose two areas of specialization and tailor your program to your interests. Options include:

• Management, Innovation, and Marketing —you’ll learn how new products are developed, how advertising works, and how companies operate successfully in the market.
• Finance, Accounting, Controlling, and Taxation —you’ll learn how companies plan their finances, analyze financial data, and manage tax obligations.
• Business Informatics – this track focuses on how digital technologies and IT are used in companies, such as for apps or online platforms.
• Sustainable Business Practices – you’ll explore how companies can operate in an environmentally friendly, fair, and responsible manner.
• Economic Behavior and Governance – you’ll explore how people make economic decisions (e.g., regarding consumption) and how rules and policies (governance) influence markets.

In the 6th semester, you’ll complete your degree with an academic thesis (bachelor’s thesis) on a topic of your choice.

You can find all the details about the program structure, modules, and specializations on the program structure page.