Study International Economics and Sustainable Development in Groningen and understand the role of governments, firms, and individuals in reshaping the global economy to deal with the important societal challenges of today.
Why are some countries rich and others poor? How does globalization affect sustainability, inequality, and climate change? What is the relationship between international trade and economic development?
The International Economics and Sustainable Development profile in Groningen is one of the few economic programmes in the Netherlands that offers a comprehensive and global perspective on current economic and societal trends. When you choose this specialization, you will study the impact of economic development and globalization on firms, individuals, and our society, and the government’s role in that process. We teach you about the necessary tools and skills to make an impact, and while doing so, you will develop an analytical mindset to work on societally relevant issues.
With the increasing integration of the world economy through international trade and capital flows, it is important and highly relevant to consider the contemporary challenges we are facing. In this profile, you will learn about technological change and innovation, the socio-economic determinants of international trade and development in various regions of the world, as well as how production in a global context impacts nature and emissions. You will gain insight into the theories and policies to understand why some regions of the world have managed to develop successfully, while other regions are struggling. Finally, we devote attention to corporate sustainability and teach you how to deal with moral issues in a business setting.
Join us in working closely with diverse companies and benefit from lectures by renowned guests such as Klaas Knot, the president of the Dutch Central Bank, or other government, business, and academic experts. Discover how to apply research and theory to the real world – and where to direct your own qualities and ambitions when you start your career.
Continuing with the MSc in International Economics and Sustainable Development will ensure that you are well-prepared for a range of career opportunities in various fields, both nationally and internationally. Businesses across a wide range of industries, governments, research institutions, and NGOs are eager to hire international economists who have the knowledge and skills to help them navigate the challenges of today’s world.
Do you want to learn more about the other two profiles in Economics or Business Economics ?
Year one offers a solid introduction to economics and business
economics. In your first course "Introduction to E&BE" you will
explore how institutional contexts (such as democracy and
capitalism) affect people's wealth and well-being and how societal
challenges like inequality, poverty, ethics in business, and
climate impact can be evaluated from an economic point of view. You
will also dig into the fundamentals of corporate finance and
financial markets, micro-, macro-, and international economics as
well as accounting and marketing. Also, you will get to know the
basics of mathematics and statistics applied in an economic
context.
You will develop important skills in research and data analysis,
working in teams, and communication – think, for example, of
the writing and presentation skills that today's labour market
demands.
| 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) | ||||
| Marketing for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Writing and Presenting for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Asset Pricing and Capital Budgeting (5 EC) | ||||
| International Economics for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Research Project for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
In year two, you will launch into the International Economics and Sustainable Development profile. You learn about trade policies, the fundamentals of growth in shaping sustainable development, and the similarities and differences in the economic development of various regions in the world.
Innovation will be dealt with through the lens of economics. You
will explore, for example, whether the emergence of robots leads to
higher unemployment and lower wages, and the extent to which
innovation impacts global inequality. You will also engage with
global socio-economic development in various regions of the world,
such as China, India, South-East Asia, Latin America, Eastern
Europe, and Africa. You will discover the role of trade,
technology, health, education, and foreign aid in socio-economic
development.
You will also debate using the main theories in the philosophy of
business, business ethics, and moral psychology. This will equip
you to help organizations develop ethical frameworks for
decision-making in relation to today's corporate responsibility and
sustainable development agenda.
Year two is also about improving your analytical skills in courses
such as Econometrics and Matrix Analysis and Optimisation, and your
research skills in Empirical Research Paper. Year two also adds an
extra layer on top of your 1st year courses in macroeconomics,
microeconomics, and finance.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Matrix Analysis and Optimization (5 EC) | ||||
| Monetary Macroeconomics (5 EC) | ||||
| Trade Policy and Economic Integration (5 EC) | ||||
| Global Development Studies (5 EC) | ||||
| Microeconomics - Industrial Organization (5 EC) | ||||
| Technological Change & Innovation (5 EC) | ||||
| Capital Structure and Financial Planning (5 EC) | ||||
| Econometrics for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
| Growth, Institutions and Business (5 EC) | ||||
| Business Ethics, Sustainability and Law (5 EC) | ||||
| Economics of Banking (5 EC) | ||||
| Empirical Research Paper for E&BE (5 EC) | ||||
In the third year, you choose a minor. Some students choose courses offered within our own degree programme (and take more courses on economic topics) or follow a faculty minor (such as Data Analytics in Economics & Business or Entrepreneurship), while others take a minor from a different faculty of the University of Groningen (such as Psychology, Law or Neuroscience) or one that involves studying abroad for a full semester – in Europe, Latin America, Australia, Canada, China, the USA or elsewhe
After your minor, you continue with your specialization in
International Economics and Sustainable Development, and you will
write your empirical Bachelor's thesis on a current topic.
In terms of courses, you will spend part of 3rd year applying
empirical techniques and theoretical models to gain a deeper
understanding of the forces of economic development. You will also
look at topics like inequality and poverty, as well as study the
role of government, natural resources, and culture in stimulating
or hindering development. In addition, you will discover that
certain patterns of growth are not sustainable: negative
externalities induce changes to climate and society that undermine
production and threaten our future. You will learn to
quantitatively assess how production in a global context impacts
nature and emissions – and how to help businesses develop in
sustainable ways. At the end of Year 3, you will write your
Bachelor's thesis.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Minor (30 EC) | ||||
| Elective BSc EB&E-ED&G (5 EC) | ||||
| Growth and Development Economics (5 EC) | ||||
| Bachelor's Thesis E&BE-ED&G (10 EC) | ||||
| Elective BSc EB&E-ED&G (5 EC) | ||||
| Sustainability and Globalization (5 EC) | ||||
In this programme, you have the option of studying abroad for one semester in Year 3 (30 EC). You can do this at one of our many international exchange partners in Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, or Asia.
Check this overview of our partner universities around the world: https://www.rug.nl/feb/education/exchange/partners/.
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 |
Most of our graduates continue their studies with a Master's degree.
A Master's degree in International Economics and Sustainable Development develops you into a broadly-oriented economist with a strong international profile. You are ready for an international career at multinational firms, in financial institutions, consultancy, and public organizations. Jobs such as market analyst, trade expert, global strategy, and policy advisor will suit you well.
Graduates of this MSc programme will be able to take up positions in internationally oriented firms (such as banks and multinationals), international organizations (such as World Bank, IMF, European Union, UN, and OECD), and internationally oriented departments of government agencies and policy advisors. Alternatively, if you would like to further develop yourself in the direction of academic research, you could choose the Research Master's degree programme . This degree will allow you to move into academia and perhaps decide to go further and earn a PhD at a university in the Netherlands or abroad.
Our research-driven education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. Our lecturers are active researchers and experts in their field. They study societally relevant topics in areas such as a healthy society, inequality, governance, sustainable finance, business ethics, sustainable development, energy policies, and much more. They conduct their research in collaboration with external partners and students and use their state-of-the-art knowledge in the classroom. Every year you will conduct a research project yourself.
Read more about the research conducted at the Faculty of Economics and Business.
I wanted to study economics because this field is more and more important nowadays and I was interested particularly in the policies that are being considered to prevent and handle the financial crisis. Out of all the study programmes I looked at, the one in Groningen seemed to have the most holistic approach to economics, with not just the core macroeconomics and microeconomics subjects but also a heavy emphasis on developmental economics.
In my second year, I chose to follow the International Economics and Sustainable Development Economic Development (previously ED&G) profile. One of my primary interests was researching uplifting marginalized communities as a driver in reaching a sustainable economy. One of the best things about choosing ED&G is the discussions that you have in classes regarding topics of development. Also, I think courses like Technology and Innovation enhanced my understanding of the global economy and the role technology plays in it. I enjoyed the research-based projects that taught me how to conduct research and prepared me for my thesis. In the future, I would like to do research on global sustainability and equity.
All in all, it is a challenging and very interesting programme and there is a lot to gain from it. Especially when you read financial and economic news and get to see some of the theories come to life.
