Economics studies
Other options for further study in economics include the Master’s in Economics and, if applicable, direct admission to a doctoral program in economics. If additional courses are taken during the undergraduate program, a direct transition to the Master’s program is possible after completing the LL.B. Alternatively, students may first transfer to the B.Sc. in Economics as an intermediate step without any changes to their course of study.
Direct admission to the Master of Science in Economics (M.Sc.):
If students intend to transition directly into the Master’s in Economics following completion of the Law and Economics program, adjustments to the course of study are required starting in the third semester, and students must attend extracurricular courses. This results in a significant additional workload, so that, as a rule, an extension of the program beyond six semesters is necessary.
Admission requirements for the M.Sc. according to the 2017 Study Regulations are:
- Mathematical Methods for Economics A
- Mathematical Methods for Economics B
- Applied Data Analysis (formerly Statistics A)
- Statistics (formerly Statistics B)
- Econometrics
While “Mathematical Methods for Economics A/I” and “Applied Data Analysis” are already required courses for the LL.B., the other courses must be selected from the Economics elective-required area.
However, without having taken additional courses from the Economics elective-required area, it is effectively impossible to pursue the Master’s in Economics.
The following courses from the Economics elective-required area of the LL.B. program must therefore be taken before transitioning to the Master’s program:
- Macroeconomics I
- Macroeconomics II
- Statistics
- Microeconomics II
- Econometrics
- Mathematical Methods in Economics II
Therefore, the following deviations from the standard course of study are recommended (see the overview):
- In the 3rd semester, students are required to take the introductory seminar “Academic Writing.”
- In the 4th semester, students must take the courses “Statistics” and “Macroeconomics I” from the required-elective area of economics instead of “Finance II.”
- In the 5th semester, students must take the courses “Microeconomics II” and “Macroeconomics II” from the required-elective area of Economics. Additionally, students must take the courses “Math II” and “Econometrics.”
- In the 6th semester, students must take the module “Finance II.”
Attending these additional courses is only possible with a very high workload and without extending the standard period of study.
You can find initial information about the master’s program and the application process here.
In addition to the master’s program in Economics at the University of Bonn, other master’s programs can be completed at numerous German and international universities.
Note: Please note that the Bachelor’s program in Law and Economics is a law degree. Accordingly, the final grade for the Bachelor’s degree is expressed in legal grading terms. For those seeking a non-legal Master’s degree, the grade can be converted accordingly. The conversion table can be found in the Law and Economics Examination Regulations dated June 16, 2012.
A Bachelor's degree in Economics as an intermediate step
Even if you have already completed your Law and Economics degree without having taken the relevant extracurricular courses, you may still be eligible to transfer into a Master’s program in Economics.
To do so, you can transfer into the Bachelor’s program in Economics at the University of Bonn, with credit for the coursework you have already completed.
To ensure the widest possible recognition of credits, you should have selected the Economics elective track as part of your LL.B. program and taken the following modules within that track:
- Math II
- Microeconomics II
- Macroeconomics I
- Statistics
In this case, it is possible to complete the Bachelor’s in Economics within two additional semesters.
Further information on the Bachelor’s in Economics can be found here.
Direct entry into doctoral studies
Outstanding graduates of the bachelor’s program may also apply directly for a doctoral program in economics at the Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE). Successful completion of this program leads to the degree of Dr. rer. pol. (equivalent to a PhD).
To apply to the BGSE, students must also complete additional economics courses during their bachelor’s program. These courses correspond to those required for admission to the Master of Economics program.
You can find information about the BGSE and the application process here.