The Economics program at Tilburg University takes a unique approach: where other universities in the Netherlands combine business and economics, Tilburg University offers a specialized program with a strong focus on economics in all its forms. Mathematics and Statistics will serve as tools: they are a language used to understand economic models. You will also develop programming skills. In the third year, you can choose from a wide variety of electives, such as Experimental and Behavioral Economics, Competition Policy and Regulation, or The Economics of Banking and Finance.
First Year Content
The first year will give you a solid foundation in the core economics topics, supplemented with Mathematics and Statistics. You will also work on your programming skills. During this year you will explore the many facets of Economics in depth, which is a great way to discover where your strengths and interests lie. Additionally, you will take two business-oriented courses to learn what goes on both inside and directly outside the world of business, a mentoring program focusing on social cohesion, study success and personal development (PASS).
You will take the following courses in the first semester:
Microeconomics 1
Macroeconomics 1
Mathematics 1
Accounting for Economics
Skills: Writing, Presentation, Information
PASS-TiSEM for ECO (mentorship program) (0 ECTS)
And these courses in the second semester:
Microeconomics 2: Welfare Economics
Macroeconomics 2: International Finance
Finance and Investment
Statistics
Programming in R and Python
PASS-TiSEM for ECO (mentorship program) (0 ECTS)
Second Year Content
The second year will build on the knowledge you have gained in the first year. You will delve into microeconomics and macroeconomics in more depth, gaining specialized knowledge in a range of courses such as Development Economics, which deals with the dynamics of a developing economy, or International Trade, where you learn more about the economic relationships between countries.
These are the courses you will follow in semester 1:
Intermediate Macroeconomics: Dynamic Models and Policy
Econometrics
International Trade
Philosophy, Science and Free Markets
Intermediate Microeconomics: Information Economics
In semester 2, you will follow these courses:
Industrial Economics
Economic Growth and Institutions
Development Economics
Public Sector Economics
Skills: Visualizing Data and Writing for Policymakers
Third Year Content
The third year has the most room for free study choices and electives. In the first semester, you can study abroad for one semester at one of our many partner universities around the world, or you can stay in Tilburg and take electives.
In the second semester you will write your thesis: a research report on a topic of your choice to showcase what you have learned in Economics.
In addition, you can choose two electives from the following courses:
Experimental and Behavioral Economics
Competition Policy and Regulation
Environmental Economics
Labor Economics
The Economics of Banking and Finance
Watch a trial lecture
Do you want to experience what a lecture of this Bachelor's program is like? Watch the recording of a lecture and get an impression what to expect.
Introduction to Economics
To the trial lecture
Follow a trial lecture on campus?
Join our Student for a day events.
Study abroad: going on exchange
We encourage all students to gain international experience. A popular and very exiting option is to go abroad on exchange. As an exchange student, you study at one of the many international partner universities of Tilburg University, typically for one semester.
The Study Abroad & Exchange Office of Tilburg University will be available to help you research the opportunities within your study program and a dedicated Study Abroad & Exchange Coordinator will be advising you before, during and after your exchange.
Most students will be eligible for a grant or scholarship to financially support them during their exchange experience. Additional grants for students with special needs or a difficult financial situation are also available.
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