Study Culture, Business, and Economics
Bachelor's Program in Culture and Economy
Combining culture and economy in a program unique in Germany
Our bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy consists of a cultural studies core subject and a combination major in Business Administration or Economics. The core subject modules correspond to approximately 120 ECTS credits, those of the combination major to approximately 60 ECTS credits.
Core subject
As for your core subject, you have eight subjects to choose from:
Combination major
As for your combination major, you can choose between Business Administration and Economics.
Additional program facts and information
Language proficiency
To study any of our bachelor’s programs, you need to have German language skills (see “Application and selection”). When applying for the bachelor's program in Culture and Economy: English and American Studies, you have to provide proof of a good level of English proficiency. To do so, you can, for example, submit the grades you achieved in English classes taken during the final years of German upper secondary education, or take a language test. For details, please see the selection statutes.When applying for this bachelor's program with a Romance Studies core subject, we recommend that you are proficient in French, Italian, or Spanish at the start of your studies. However, you can also acquire these skills during your studies by attending preparatory language courses offered by the Department of Romance Languages.
Program start
Fall semester (September)
Academic calendarSemester fee: EUR 194 (more information)
Tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries: EUR 1,500
Tuition fees for a second degree: EUR 650Application period
- Selective programs: from 1 June until 15 July
- Non-selective programs: from 1 June until 31 August
Possible master’s programs
- The master’s programs you are eligible for vary depending on your core subject. Click on the core subjects above to see all possible master’s programs. Irrespective of your core subject in the humanities, you also have the option to study a master’s program focusing on business administration or economics. Thus, a bachelor’s degree in Culture and Economy gives you numerous options.
Program overview
The bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy is a combined degree program that brings together different subjects and academic cultures.
For detailed information on the course contents of the cultural studies core subjects, please see the individual program descriptions.
For your combination major, you can choose between Business Administration and Economics.
- If you choose Business Administration, you will attend introductory courses on finance, marketing, management, business informatics, accounting, and production. The University of Mannheim places a strong emphasis on business ethics by offering corresponding courses.
- If you choose Economics, you will not only learn the fundamentals of economics but also acquire knowledge in the fields of analysis, statistics, and micro- and macroeconomics. Another particularity of this combination major is that it also includes economic history.
Why study the bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy at the University of Mannheim?
Unique combination
The combination of culture and economy in a single program is unique in Germany. Earning a double qualification in the humanities and Business Administration/Economics broadens students’ horizons. Therefore, our graduates are highly sought after on both national and international job markets. International focus
With 450 partner universities and students from 100 countries, Mannheim is one of the most international universities in the country and provides students with an inspiring learning environment that facilitates excellent teaching and research.Working in small groups and good student-teacher ratio
Students at the School of Humanities value the ability to work interactively in small groups and the favorable student-teacher ratio. The program managers will be happy to answer any questions you may have about organizing your studies. Academic advisors and teachers at the relevant department will help you with any questions about the program.Career opportunities
The bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy trains you to become a sought-after all-rounder with broad cultural and economic expertise, problem-solving skills, and flexible thinking. You can analyze complex issues and develop value-based solutions. This opens up a wide range of career opportunities for you:
Fields of activity related to cultural studies and the humanities
- Marketing
- Communications, public relations
- Media, journalism
- Cultural management
Fields of activity related to economics and business administration
- Sales
- Procurement
- Customer service
- Human resources
In addition, the integrated career-oriented module Wirtschaftskommunikation equips you with high-level communication skills and builds a bridge between the two subjects. It spotlights possible career opportunities and promotes insights into interesting areas of work as well as an early practical orientation.
Studying abroad and internships
Studying abroad
The School of Humanities maintains collaborations with more than 150 partner universities worldwide. Our team for international affairs will support you in planning a stay abroad. The perfect time for students to go abroad is the fourth or fifth subject-specific semester, but individual arrangements are possible. Studying abroad to enhance your intercultural competencies is recommended but not mandatory when studying this program. We also offer field trips and interdisciplinary seminars in cooperation with international universities.Internships
A six-week internship in Germany or abroad is an integral part of your studies. Further information and points of contact for all questions relating to internships and career entry can be found on the website of the School of Humanities.If you study the bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy, internships are particularly important for your career prospects.
Interests and skills
If you wish to study Culture and Economy, you should
- depending on your core subject, be enthusiastic about literature, cultures, and countries, social and political developments, history and philosophical questions, media, and communication processes,
- be interested in scientific methods and theories,
- enjoy questioning things critically as well as reflecting on and discussing issues,
- feel confident when presenting theses and content,
- enjoy writing academic texts,
- be curious and able to motivate yourself and have perseverance,
- have a very good level of German and—depending on your core subject—a good level of English, French, Italian, or Spanish proficiency.
For the combination major in Business Administration, you should be enthusiastic about marketing and management as well as business ethics and have good mathematical skills.
For the combination major in Economics, you should have very good mathematical skills and be interested in statistics and politics. You should be prepared to acquire and apply a lot of new knowledge within a short period of time.
Financing and funding
Scholarships
The University of Mannheim offers various scholarships. This funding enables you to focus on your academic achievements and continue your voluntary work alongside your studies.
Scholarship overview
Funding opportunities for international degree-seeking studentsFinancial aid for students
The Studierendenwerk is the first place to contact if you have any questions on how to finance your studies. They will give you advice on BAföG and tell you about other funding options.
Go to the StudierendenwerkApplication and selection
Important information on the awarding of study places
- For your application to be successful, you must apply in due time and form and fulfill the admission requirements for your chosen program of study.
- If a program of study is selective, the selection criteria set out in the relevant selection statutes apply in addition to the admission requirements. The University of Mannheim does not apply a numerus clausus system (grade-point average for admission to certain programs of study).
- All of our bachelor's programs require German language skills. If you do not have a German university entrance qualification (Abitur or equivalent qualification), you must submit proof of proficiency in German at C1 level.
In the case of the bachelor's program in Culture and Economy, the requirements differ depending on the core subject. To find out more about the individual core subjects, click on the links in the relevant section above.
Application period
- Selective programs: from 1 June until 15 July
- Non-selective programs: from 1 June until 31 August
Program structure
For your combination major, you can choose between Business Administration (Option 1) and Economics (Option 2). You will study only one of these options.
Semester 1
- Core subject
- Introductory lecture and tutorial
- Introductory lecture and tutorial
- Exercise course
- Business Administration
- Lecture: Finanzmathematik
- Lecture: Quantitative Methoden
- Lecture: Marketing
Semester 2
- Core subject
- Introductory seminar
- Lecture and tutorial
- Exercise course
- Business Administration
-
Exercise course: Current Topics UK/
US - Lecture: Grundlagen des externen Rechnungswesens
- Lecture: Management
Semester 3
- Core subject
- Introductory seminar
- Exercise course
- Business Administration
- Exercise course: Intercultural Business Communication
- Lecture: Finanzwirtschaft
- Lecture: Produktion
Semester 4
- Core subject
- Lecture
- Advanced seminar
- Advanced seminar
- Career Skills
- Internship
- Business Administration
- Lecture: Internes Rechnungswesen
- Lecture: Wirtschaftsinformatik
Semester 5
- Core subject
- Lecture
- Advanced seminar
- Lecture: International Cultural Studies
- Seminar: Interdisziplinäre Kulturwissenschaft
- Lecture: Interdisziplinäre Kulturwissenschaft
- Business Administration
- Lecture: Unternehmensethik
Semester 6
- Core subject
- Advanced seminar
- Business Translation
- Bachelor's thesis
- Final oral examination
- The program structure varies depending on your core subject.
Course names are listed in the original language.
I have always had a great interest in both Economics/
For me, the bachelor’s program in Culture and Economy: Media and Communication Studies with a combination major in Business Administration at the University of Mannheim is characterized by its interesting interdisciplinary orientation, through which we can discover two worlds. This combination provides a good basis in the research and methodology of Communication Studies that is complemented by sound Business Administration knowledge. This prepares me for a wide range of career paths in fields such as human resources, public relations, market research, or research. In addition, the University of Mannheim also impressed me with its high academic standards, wide variety of student organizations, and career guidance services.
I came to the University of Mannheim because combining Philosophy with Economics seemed very attractive to me. My expectations were not disappointed: The Philosophy portion of the program teaches you how to approach intriguing questions independently and in a structured manner and how to explore them in depth. When you are a little farther along in your studies, you can choose freely from the available courses, which allows you to tailor the program to your personal interests. Apart from that, I also value the intimate atmosphere at the Department of Philosophy and the fact that you will always find people to exchange opinions with about all sorts of topics. The combination with Economics is a perfect fit. Students at the University of Mannheim can also benefit from a unique opportunity: Those who have completed a specialization module including all introductory courses from the bachelor’s program in Economics qualify for the master’s program in Economics.
My studies at the University of Mannheim allow me to deepen my passion for Spanish, while at the same time opening up a wide range of career prospects thanks to the combination with Business Administration. The excellent network of international partner universities convinced me immediately. This is a big plus, especially for studying a foreign language. Since my first semester, I have been involved with ESN Visum Mannheim, a student organization for international students, where I have been able to expand my intercultural experience. With its unique campus and perfect size as a student city, Mannheim offers an ideal environment for starting your student life.
Insights into studying Culture and Economy
Michelle is studying Culture and Economy at the University of Mannheim and shows her everyday life as a bachelor’s student at the School of Humanities.
Other degree programs you may be interested in ...
Contact
Caterina Katzer (she/her)
School of Humanities
Schloss – Room EO 282
68161 Mannheim
Tue 10–12 a.m.
Open consultation hours in room 282
Wed 10–12 a.m.
Online consultation hours – please make an appointment via https://www.phil.uni-mannheim.de/en/academics/virtual-office-hours/
Dr. Angelika Konrad-Schineller
School of Humanities
Schloss – Room EO 282
68161 Mannheim
Tue 10–12 a.m.
Open consultation hours in room 282
Wed 10–12 a.m.
Online consultation hours – please make an appointment via https://www.phil.uni-mannheim.de/en/academics/virtual-office-hours/
Admissions Office
L 1, 1 – Room 157, 158
68161 Mannheim