Study Economic Sciences in Germany

In addition to the two major specialisations – business administration and economics – the following fields of study are also included in the field of economic sciences:

• Educational management
• Financial management, insurance
• Hotel, catering, tourism
• Trade and industry
• International Business Administration
• Logistics, transport, transport management
• Marketing, distribution
• Media management
• Sustainability sciences (economic)
• Human resource management
• Public management, social management
• Quality management
• Accounting, taxation, controlling
• Sport, event, culture management
• Technology management
• Environmental management, energy management
• Business consultancy
• Business management, organisation management
• Business and economics pedagogy
• Economic sciences, economics

These topics are sometimes offered as independent degree programmes or as specialisations within a broader degree programme. You can study economic sciences programmes at universities as well as at universities of applied sciences. In any case, you should have a good understanding of mathematics, as you will attend many mathematics-related modules, especially in the beginning of your studies.

In an economic science programme, a Bachelor’s degree usually takes six to eight semesters, while a Master’s degree normally lasts three to four. You will need a higher education entrance qualification or something equivalent, such as a technical college entrance qualification, to be accepted. It is also possible to study economic sciences with completed vocational training or professional experience. Inquire with your higher education institution for more details. A numerus clausus (NC), i.e., a minimum grade, will come into play if there are more applications than places available. For economic sciences, the average required can vary, but you should note that the higher your grades are the better your chances are. If you are studying to become a teacher, more tests can be required of you.

To qualify for a Master’s programme, you will need an undergraduate degree in economic sciences or something similar. English is a must-have in Master’s programmes and the higher education institution will potentially ask for proof of your language skills or for you to take a test. Requirements can vary greatly between higher education institutions. The best thing you can do is research these requirements thoroughly before applying.

When comparing Germany to the rest of the world, studying in Germany is always ranked towards the bottom when it comes to costs. If you are studying at a public higher education institution then you will most likely not have any tuition. A semester contribution usually ranging from 100 to 400 euros will most likely be required of you, however. These semester contributions go to administrative fees and the student union, however, it might also pay for your public transportation for the semester. Depending on where you study, this may be valid for the city, the region or even for all of Germany. Ask your higher education institution whether such an offer is currently available.

Housing expenses can come relatively cheap or expensive depending on your strategy, luck and choices. In large cities, housing is often scarce and expensive, while in smaller cities it is comparatively affordable. In any case, student halls of residence are usually your cheapest option. As soon as you have decided on where you want to study, you should start looking, as halls of residence can fill up quickly. Here, you can find information on local halls of residence and the respective application process for most cities.

Similar to housing expenses, being in a smaller city will have more affordable options when it comes to dining out, going to shows, or having fun at a pub. It depends on your lifestyle, however, how much money you will spend.

To finance your studies in Germany, you should also find out about scholarships. There are many different scholarship programmes and excellent grades are not the only deciding factor. You can learn more about scholarships here and find suitable programmes directly on My GUIDE.

After graduating with a degree in economic sciences, your job prospects are very good. If you have gone the route of business administration, then you will be going into a very popular job field. Other professional fields include management consultant, account management, risk analysis, business consulting, financial consulting, and project management.

With a Master’s degree, you are set up to directly go into management and will also see a higher salary than you would with just a Bachelor’s degree. The practical experience that you earned through an internship during your studies will also be helpful in you finding a career.