How to choose your courses in the third year?
There is a lot to choose in year three of the Bachelor Economics and Business Economics. We have scheduled the courses in such a way over the periods that meaningful choices can be made. If you follow an Approved
Optional Minor, there is space for a free major related elective in each period up to the fourth period. Students without an Approved Optional Minor can choose two electives in these periods. The courses you opt for in the third year will further shape your profile as an economist. You are advised to reflect on the question which specialisations in the Bachelor aroused your enthusiasm or interest most and use this as a guide when making choices regarding the major related electives. The courses in year three deepen and broaden your knowledge and skills and might also help you in your choice for a master programme after finishing your bachelor.
In the table below you find a number of profiles. You may use the suggestions for third year electives that are given for each profile. A warning should be given, however. First, it may be very interesting to combine courses in economics and in business economics, as subjects taught in business courses are often very relevant in settings dominated by economics (e.g. financial risk management for public agencies) and vice versa (game theory for managers). Second, in practice these profiles will not fully determine your professional future. It goes without saying that government ministries need economists who are experts in evaluating the costs and benefits of infrastructural projects or interventions in markets or in macroeconomic policy making.
The public sector also demands good business economists and managers. Large firms need economists who can analyse development processes in upcoming markets, and consulting firms supply services to private firms as well as to public agencies. Finally, if you want to become a researcher, you may want to combine the methodological courses you did in year 1 and 2 with the substantive courses in year 3. Basically, all year three courses lend themselves for doing research. The conclusion is that you should use your own interest as a guide and consider the options given below as hints.
Gerrit Faber
Director of studies
Utrecht University School of Economics
Profile / Courses
Organisation/Management
Game Theory
Operations and Supply Management
Investment Management
Strategy and Management
International Financial Management
Advanced Accounting
Corporate Entrepreneurship
Business Economist
Operations and Supply Management
Investment Management
Strategy and Management
International Financial Management
Advanced Accounting
Advanced Marketing
Entrepreneur
Market Dynamics and Corporate Innovation
Analysis of Competitiveness Policy
Period
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
1
2
2
3
3
4
1
2

Corporate Entrepreneurship
Banking and Finance
Financial Markets and Institutions
Investment Management
Microeconomics of Financial Markets and Behavioural Finance
Monetary Theory and Policy
International Financial Management
Advanced Accounting
Public sector and macroeconomic policy
Financial Markets and Institutions
Public Choice and Welfare
International Integration
Game Theory
Analysis of Competitiveness Policy
Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Industrial Organization and Competition Policy
Labour Economics
Beleidsatelier
Growth and Development
Monetary Theory and Policy
International Financial Management
Environmental Economics
Market Analyst
Market Dynamics and Corporate Innovation
International Integration
Strategy and Management
Analysis of Competitiveness Policy
Growth and Development
International Financial Management
Consultant
Consultants provide services in many areas and the term consultant merely refers to the practice of offering your expertise in a particular organisation on a temporary basis. Thus, if you are an expert in any of the fields mentioned here, you could apply for a consultancy job in that particular field.
3
1
1
2
2
3
3
1
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
2
2
3
1
1
1
3
3
3
4