Field of study Economics

The economic sciences unite economics (VWL) and business administration (BWL). Both disciplines deal with economic processes, either within a company or with a view to society as a whole.

Photo: Bundesagentur für Arbeit | Ingo Wagner
Ein Mann sitzt an einem Monitor und hat eine Kalkulation in der Ansicht

Managing a company, analyzing markets, monitoring costs or optimizing processes - these are all tasks performed by economists. As experts in economic interrelationships, they keep an eye on value chains in medium-sized industrial companies, global corporations, banks and insurance companies as well as public authorities, associations and institutions and look for ways to optimize them.

Students of economics should therefore have a good general education, a good knowledge of mathematics and modern foreign languages as well as an interest in economic, social, political and historical issues. They should also be able to think analytically and proceed methodically, be socially competent and able to work in a team, as well as being able to work independently and theoretically.

In addition to generalist business administration and economics courses, there are also courses that focus on an industry or service sector or combine the content of other subject areas, e.g. with engineering, mathematics, computer science, law, social sciences or linguistics and cultural studies. Examples of this are industrial engineering, business informatics and business law (see also chapter 3.2 Engineering and chapter 3.6 Law and social sciences). In this field of study, changes in political and economic conditions, e.g. the globalization and internationalization of markets, growing capital exports, relocation and outsourcing of parts of companies, etc. have led to more European and internationally oriented degree courses and integrated exchange programs.

With a Bachelor's degree in economics, it is generally possible to start a career in middle management, for example, while a Master's degree is generally a prerequisite for management positions and tasks in higher management.

Sub-fields of study in economics

  • Automotive industry

    Anyone with a passion for cars and an eye for the economic aspects of a mobile future is in good hands in this field of study.read more »
  • Business Administration

    Business administration deals with the economic relationships and laws of individual businesses and companies with the aim of providing…read more »
  • Health management, health economics

    In order to ensure and further develop standards in healthcare, healthcare stakeholders such as health insurance companies, outpatient and…read more »
  • Trade, industry, craft

    Today, trade, industry and crafts are influenced by globalisation and digitalisation. Future managers learn what this means for value…read more »
  • International economy

    Thinking and acting globally is just as strategically important for medium-sized companies as it is for multinational corporations.…read more »
  • Logistics, transport

    The world is converging. Today, goods and people are transported anywhere in the world at any time. Whether travelling, doing business or…read more »
  • Management

    Human resources and employee management, marketing and sales, financing and controlling, production and logistics: these are just some of…read more »
  • Marketing, Sales

    Marketing and sales issues do not only become interesting when products are ready for sale. Right from the start of product development,…read more »
  • Media industry, media management

    The media industry is an internationally interlinked market with a wide range of media formats in various genres (print, broadcasting,…read more »
  • Business informatics

    Business informatics deals with issues at the interface between computer science and business administration. The aim is to digitally map…read more »
  • Economics, national economy

    This field of study deals with the economic behaviour of economic actors and its microeconomic and macroeconomic effects. It provides the…read more »
Stand: 09.07.2025