Study Business Economics in Groningen and discover how firms create financial value while balancing societal and sustainability concerns.
In your first year, you will explore how institutional contexts like democracy and capitalism influence wealth and well-being. You will evaluate societal challenges such as inequality and climate impact from an economic perspective. The curriculum covers corporate finance, micro- and macroeconomics, accounting, marketing, and essential mathematics and statistics.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Introduction to E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Mathematics for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Microeconomics for E&BE: Consumers&Firms (5 EC) | ||||
| Financial Accounting for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Macroeconomics for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Statistics for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Data Analysis for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| International Economics for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Writing and Presenting for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Dutch Economy for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Finance & Investments for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Research Project for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Matrix Analysis and Optimization (5 EC) | ||||
| Monetary Macroeconomics (5 EC) | ||||
| Trade Policy and Economic Integration (5 EC) | ||||
| Management Accounting for BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Microeconomics - Industrial Organization (5 EC) | ||||
| Operations and Logistics Management (5 EC) | ||||
| Corporate Finance for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Econometrics for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Human Resource Management for BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Business Ethics, Sustainability and Law (5 EC) | ||||
| Economics of Banking (5 EC) | ||||
| Empirical Research Paper for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
In your third year, you will choose
a minor that suits your interests, whether it's within our program,
another faculty like psychology or law, or even studying abroad in
places like Europe, Australia, or the USA.
In the second semester, you will
concentrate on finance and accounting, studying financial markets
and the pricing of stocks, bonds, and options. You will explore how
cross-border activities affect risk management and corporate
financing.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Minor (30 EC) minor at the faculty, the university, study abroad or internship | ||||
| Elective BSc E&BE-BE (5 EC) Investments, Marketing Research for E&BE | ||||
| Bachelor's Thesis E&BE-BE (10 EC) | ||||
| Elective BSc E&BE-BE (5 EC) Marketing Research for E&BE, International Corporate Finance | ||||
Wiskunde A of wiskunde B.
It is also possible to enter the programme with an HBO propaedeutic certificate, on condition that you meet the required level of mathematics and the English language skills. For mathematics, you must at least have completed A or B (previously mathematics A12 or B1) at Dutch VWO level. For English, you must also have completed this at VWO level or obtained one of the English certificates: IELTS Academic overall score 6 (Speaking 6, Writing 5.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 90 (Speaking 20, Writing 20); C1 Advanced (with minimum score 169).
You can enroll, as long as you have finished VWO-degree with mathematics A or B.
The degree programme will organize a choice of degree programme check. Attendance is optional. The advice is not binding.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
To meet the general entry-level requirements, you will need an educational background equivalent to the Dutch pre-university education (VWO). For an overview of VWO-equivalent qualifications, please check https://www.rug.nl/vwo-equivalent-qualifications. If you have any questions concerning admission to the programme, please contact our Admissions Office: https://www.rug.nl/admissions. |
| additional subject |
Mathematics should have been passed as a standard/methods level subject in your secondary school education. Please note that the level of mathematics will need to be assessed by the Admissions Board. |
| language test |
IELTS Academic overall score 6 (Speaking 6, Writing 5.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 80 (Speaking 20, Writing 20); Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (overall score 169, Speaking 169, Writing 162). |
Students have to apply via Studielink and the Progress Portal (replacing the previous system, Online Application System OAS) of the University of Groningen. After you apply for the programme of your choice, the Admissions Office will evaluate your educational background and assess your eligibility. Your application will be assessed on an individual basis.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2026 | 01 September 2026 |
Read more about the research conducted at the Faculty of Economics and Business.
After high school, I wanted to study something that had to do with economics, finance and taxation. What I found interesting about the Bachelor's programme in Groningen is that you will first be introduced to courses from each profile before you get to choose your specialization in the second year. When choosing this programme, I considered the many minor opportunities in the third year and the international accreditations (AACSB and EQUIS).
In my second year, I decided to follow the Business Economics (BE) profile. During my study, I also build up knowledge in a specific area through different courses. To give an example, you follow Asset Pricing in your first year, Capital Structure in your second year and Intermediate Asset Pricing in your third year. If the level of mathematics is the main reason that you doubt choosing this Bachelor’s degree, then you should not let this deter you. The combination of lectures, tutorials and practicals provides you with enough practice and support to accomplish the required level of mathematics. There are excellent teachers that are driven to make the most out of their courses and are always willing to help you understand the material completely.
The programme has an international aspect which I value since you get the opportunity to work together with students from all over the world and learn about different cultures. This creates a thriving learning environment and inspires students to look further than their own way of living. This programme is a good starting point for starting your career in the inspiring world of economics and finance.
