Study International Economics and Sustainable Development in Groningen and learn how global trade, financial systems, and sustainability shape societies and economies worldwide.
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) | ||||
In year two, you pick your profile.
You will explore trade policies, the basics of growth for
sustainable development, and how different regions of the world
develop economically.
Discover how innovation impacts
economics—like how robots might affect jobs and wages, and
how new technologies influence global inequality. You'll also study
socio-economic development in regions like China, India, Southeast
Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa, focusing on trade,
technology, health, education, and foreign aid.
| 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) | ||||
| Corporate Finance for E&BE (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 can choose a minor that fits your interests. You can pick from courses within our programme, like Data Analytics or Entrepreneurship, or explore other fields such as Psychology, Law, or Neuroscience. You also have the option to study abroad for a semester in places like Europe, Latin America, Australia, Canada, China, the USA, and more.
You explore topics like inequality,
poverty, and the role of government, natural resources, and culture
in development. You study how unsustainable growth patterns affect
climate and society, and learn to assess the environmental impact
of global production.
| Semesters | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
| Minor (30 EC) minor at the faculty, the university, study abroad or internship | ||||
| Elective BSc EB&E-IE&SD (5 EC) Growth and Development Economics, International Financial Markets | ||||
| Bachelor's Thesis E&BE-ED&G (10 EC) | ||||
| Elective BSc EB&E-IE&SD (5 EC) Sustainability and Globalization, Trade and Firms | ||||
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 |
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.
