Study Economics

Possible master’s programs

• Master’s program in Economics (M.Sc.)
• Mannheim Master in Management (MMM) (M.Sc.) (at least 36 ECTS credits in Business Administration are required)
• Mannheim Master in Finance, Accounting and Taxation (M.Sc.) (at least 36 ECTS credits in Business Administration are required)
• Mannheim Master in Operations and Supply Chain Management (M.Sc.) (at least 36 ECTS credits in Business Administration are required)
• Mannheim Master in Data Science (M.Sc.) (at least 70 ECTS credits in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Statistics are required)
• Mannheim Master in Social Data Science (M.Sc.) (at least 48 ECTS credits in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or empirical research methods are required)
• Master’s program in Mathematics in Business and Economics (M.Sc.) (at least 80 ECTS credits in Mathematics are required)
• M.A. Master’s program in Sociology (M.A.) (at least 24 ECTS credits in Mathematics, Statistics, quantitative methods or Methods of Empirical Social Research are required)
• M.A. Master’s program in Political Science (M.A.)
• Master’s program in Culture and Economy (M.A.) (fast-track master's program and proof of language proficiency, if applicable)

Economics examines, at the micro level, how people make decisions about scarce resources of all kinds. At the macro level, it looks at entire economies and analyzes how they function and develop. Typical questions include, for example:

• How can economic policy help address the climate crisis?
• How does artificial intelligence influence the economy and our jobs?
• What impact does immigration have on the economy?
• Why is the independence of the European Central Bank important? 

During the bachelor’s program, you will attend classes on, for example: basic economic principles, microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic policy, public finance, mathematics, econometrics and academic writing and research.

You can also combine your degree program in Economics with a minor, or in some cases even with multiple minors. You can combine Economics with Mathematics, Law, Business Administration, Business Informatics, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Psychology.

You can also attend seminars to develop key competences such as intercultural competencies, conflict management, presentation techniques, and time management.

Distribution of ECTS credits You will complete 103 ECTS credits in the introductory area and 77 to 85 ECTS credits in your elective modules.

More information on the structure of the bachelor’s program in Economics

What is Economics?

Outstanding quality in research and teaching
Studying in Mannheim means studying at one of the most renowned institutions for Economics and Business Administration in Europe. Independent national and international rankings, including the CHE university ranking, the Times Higher Education ranking by subject and the QS University ranking, have confirmed the outstanding quality of the research and teaching at our university on a number of occasions. The program in Economics at the University of Mannheim was again number one in the 2023 CHE university ranking. Take a look at the rankings here.

Broad opportunities for specialization
The bachelor's program in Economics at the University of Mannheim is characterized by thorough instruction in economic theories, early inclusion of empirical methods, and the combination of teaching and experience. The exceptionally broad range of modules on offer within the specialization area enables you to tailor your studies to your interests.

Excellent research-orientation
Thanks to the large number of chairs and professorships, as well as the close cooperation with non-university research institutes (such as the ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research) students have exceptionally diverse opportunities to contribute to research as student assistants.

By the way: According to StudyCheck.de (2023), 96 percent of students would recommend their degree program at the University of Mannheim to others.

What is special about the bachelor’s program in Economics at the University of Mannheim?

As an economist, you will understand how people make decisions, develop an understanding of macroeconomic relationships and learn how to work with data.

This opens up a wide range of career opportunities for you—for example in ministries, international organizations, think tanks, the European Commission, and companies. Administrative departments at federal, state and community institutions, the European Central Bank, the Bundesbank, the Federal Statistical Office, as well as treasuries and associations are some of the most important employers for economists. In addition, it is possible to work in business consulting or business journalism.

Economists can also pursue a career in academia at higher education and research institutions in Germany or abroad.

Read more about career prospects and career opportunities (in German)

Studying abroad
The University of Mannheim is well-connected internationally, and has around 450 partner universities around the world. In the bachelor’s program in Economics, spending a semester abroad is optional. However, the exchange coordinators at the Department of Economics are happy to support you as you prepare to study abroad. The ideal time to study abroad is during the fifth or sixth semester of the program. 

Internships
We recommend that you complete one or two internship(s) in a relevant sector before you graduate. The university’s Career Network can help you find a suitable internship. An internship can be recognized as part of your degree program.

If you wish to study Economics, you should 

• be interested in economic concepts and relationships,
• be comfortable with mathematics*,
• be able to think abstractly, and have
• strong verbal and written communication skills as well as the
• ability to develop logical and coherent arguments, and
• strong text comprehension skills (including complex and English-language texts).

*The Department of Economics bases its mathematical requirements for first-year students on the catalog of minimum requirements for mathematics (Mindestanforderungskatalog Mathematik v3.0), for students of Economics, Business Administration and STEM subjects at higher education institutions in Baden-Württemberg. The refresher course in mathematics enables students to brush up on their math. You should be particularly interested in analyzing mathematical notation as this is required in many courses.

The bachelor’s program in Economics is currently selective. The following selection criteria are taken into account:

• grade average achieved in your university entrance qualification as well as
• work experience, internships, and voluntary positions that are relevant to the degree program in Economics.