Expanding your knowledge and at the same time developing your skills is key. That is why you will participate in a variety of teaching activities. Most of the courses are evaluated with one or more tests. This is usually a written examination, but it can also be an essay, a report, or a presentation.

• Lectures (8 hours): Lectures give an introductory overview into the course content. You will attend them together with your fellow students. You take notes and have the opportunity to ask questions.
• Tutorials (4 hours): During seminars, you will discuss specific subjects from the lectures in smaller groups. Exercises and practice assignments will help you to become adept with the theory.
• Self-study (24 hours): During your study week, you spend time to study theory, go over lectures and seminars, and prepare for exams and presentations.
• Skills & Connect: In the 1st year of your studies, you will receive weekly coaching from a senior student in a small group. This mentor will help you learn to study more effectively. In the meantime, you will also get to know your fellow students. 

In the 1^st year, you will become familiar with the basic concepts of economics and business economics. You will start with the course on Principles of Economics and Business. This course will introduce you to the fundamental issues as well as the underlying concepts of Economics, Business Economics and Business Administration. 

For the rest of the year, you will follow introductory courses on 5 major topics: 

• Accounting
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Finance 
• Economics of Markets and Organisations.

You will also take supporting classes in Mathematics and Statistics. You will round off your year with an exciting research project. This project will give you a chance to practise conducting research and, by doing so, develop your research skills.

In the 1^st semester, you will deepen your knowledge of statistics and econometrics. You will also learn all about the concept of money, which is a vital component of both economists’ and business economists’ work. To do so, you will complete the courses on Money & Banking as well as International Money and Finance. 

Finally, you will ‘zoom out’ to explore the nature of economics as a science during the course on Economic Methodology.

Choose your specialisation
In the 2^nd semester, you will continue your chosen major in either Economics or Business Economics. If you have chosen Business Economics, you will follow courses in Corporate Law, Strategy, Accounting and Finance. Those who opted for Economics will take courses in Game Theory, Microeconomics, Mathematics and Macroeconomics.

Take part in the Research Lab
You will conclude the year with a Research Laboratory. Within the laboratory, you will gain knowledge in existing research projects related to economics or business economics. This is an excellent way to get acquainted with conducting research.

First semester

My Semester: customise your programme

Your 3rd year is all about exploring your individual academic interests. The 1^st semester of this year is all yours to construct. Options include an internship, studying abroad, pursuing a minor or taking a number of electives.

• Doing an internship: work at a company where you can put the experience and skills that you have gained into practice.
• Studying abroad: spend a semester studying at a different university to give you an exciting experience.
• Take a minor programme at the UvA or elsewhere: this gives you a chance to broaden and differentiate your knowledge. Expand your knowledge and stand out from the crowd with a mini study programme in a completely different field. Pick up a few courses in Philosophy, Law or Chinese Language and Culture. You can choose between over 120 Dutch and over 70 English minors at the UvA.
• Free-choice electives: choose between more than 40 specialised courses in the area of business and economics to deepen your economic knowledge.

Second semester

During the 2^nd semester of this year:

• Business Economics students will specialise in either Accounting and Control, Finance or Organisational Economics.
• If you choose a major in Economics, you will be able to design your own curriculum from a list of suitable courses. 

Is there a particular topic that sparks your enthusiasm? Writing your thesis, you have the chance to explore it fully while simultaneously training your ability to independently conduct relevant research. Your thesis is the final requirement to be completed for your graduation. Under the supervision of our researchers, you will follow a clearly defined path that will lead to your graduation with a Bachelor's degree.

This Bachelor’s offers a Dutch and an English track. If you are a Dutch-speaking student, you can choose to follow our Dutch track. Both tracks are identical in terms of level and content.

Dutch track

In the Dutch track, tutorials, assignments and exams will be in Dutch. The lectures will be conducted in English, and you will attend them alongside your (international) fellow students. In the 3rd year, the amount of English used in the programme increases, ensuring you a smooth transition to a fully English-taught follow-on Master’s programme. The Dutch track can be a good choice if you want some time to adjust to the English language and prefer a gradual transition to a fully English-language programme.

English track

If you opt for the English track, all courses are in English. From year 1 you will study with both Dutch students and students from around the world. This creates a diverse and international classroom.

In both the English track and the Dutch track, all literature is in English.

The transition from secondary school to university can be a major step. For this reason, you will receive intensive academic counselling as a 1-year student. You can also count on individual support during the rest of your studies.

The UvA offers a variety of minors and a wide selection of elective courses that you can undertake during your university years to broaden or deepen your knowledge.

If you are ambitious, you can choose to take part in our Honours programme. You take the Honours programme alongside your regular studies. Completion results in you graduating 'with honours': an internationally recognised qualification.

During your Bachelor's programme, you could put your knowledge into practice by means of a work placement.

Studying abroad allows you to get to know a different culture, language and country, and we strongly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity. We have made collaborative and exchange agreements with over a 100 universities abroad, enabling you to study there for a semester.

Are you interested in learning Dutch? There are different options to give you the opportunity to maximise your Dutch experience and prepare for your future job in the Netherlands.

Many of our students are members of a study association. It is fun and useful for your future career at the same time. Faculty student associations are a great way to meet fellow students and future employers. They organise study trips (abroad), career events, weekly debates, parties and receptions with drinks. Sometimes you can also purchase your textbooks and course syllabi at reduced rates.

Overview Study Associations

• Faculty student association Sefa
• International Student Committee (ISC,part of Sefa)
• International Student Network Amsterdam (ISN, part of Sefa)
• Study Association Actuarial Sciences, Econometrics and Operational Research (VSAE)
• Financial Study Association Amsterdam (FSA)
• Marketing Association Amsterdam (MAA)
• International study association (AIESEC)

Amsterdam has a thriving student community with many activities organised outside of the university’s grounds. You will find student associations focusing on networking, specific interests and sports. It is only at sororities and fraternities that you can expect an initiation ritual (hazing).

At university, you are entitled to make your voice heard and assess the quality of your own education. Students can participate in the discussion on the university's education policy in various ways, such as by joining the Programme Committee, the Faculty Student Council or the student panel. You can also stand for election and dedicate your efforts to the programme and your fellow students.