Tracks:
Financial and Economic Analysis (Economics/Business Adminstration)
International Economics and Development (Economics/Political Science)
Public Entrepreneurship and Politics (Political Science/Economics)
Programme Description
THE AIM OF THE EDUCATION
• In 1997, financial markets in East Asia fell apart, resulting in massive unemployment in the region.
• In 1999, representatives to the World Trade Organization met in Seattle, amidst riots against Globalization.
• In 2001, about one fifth of the world’s population was in absolute poverty, living on less that $1 a day.
• In 2003, Sweden through referendum rejected using the euro as its currency.
• In 2005, France through referendum rejects the proposed EU constitution.
The stories behind important events like those discussed above are among the issues focused on in the International Economics and Policy Programme.
The programme teaches you how to think about such economic and political issues in a methodical and scientific way. The goal is not to teach you what to think but how to think! The programme provides you the tools for “thinking” about such issues, which you can apply to many topics. These tools provide you more confidence in forming your own conclusions about economic and political issues and make you more competent in presenting your conclusions to others.
One of the strongest elements in the programme is the international nature of it. It discusses the hot international issues of today. It discusses how one can methodically think about international markets and political forces, which is important for those wishing to be involved in businesses with international activities. It provides you with rich international exchange possibilities through the school’s extensive international exchange program, Sweden’s highest per capita exchange programme with 200 partner universities around the world. It gives you a rich international environment with classmates from around the world- most coming through the exchange programme, but many joining you for the full length of the programme. It encourages internships abroad, such as those in international organizations, with accompanying academic credit for such internships. It provides the opportunity to participate in simulations of the United Nations, with the school annually sending a team of students to the National United Nations Conference in New York as mock UN representatives, competing with other such teams from other universities from around the world.
CONTENT
The International Economics and Policy Programme is built for those students interested in obtaining a bachelors degree with a major in economics or a major in political science. It is a 6 term (3 year) 180 hp programme that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics (ekonomie kandidatexamen i nationalekonomi) with a major in Economics degree or Bachelor of Political Sciences degree (politices kandidateexamen) with a major in economics or political science. A 15 hp thesis in the major field is included in the studies for either degree.
You can choose between three different tracks and each track, “inriktning”, has a different code. Applicants with a Swedish high school diploma (gymnasium) apply through the VHS. Applicants without a Swedish high school diploma apply on-line only to the Admissions Office.
- the track Financial and Economic Analysis leads to the Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics with economics as the major subject and business administration as the minor subject. This track is designed for those interested in financial markets and those interested in how to use advanced computational methods to analyze economic data.
- the track International Economics and Development leads to a Bachelor of Political Sciences degree with economics as the major subject and political science as the minor subject. This track gives the students a good insight into how the global economy functions and how one can improve growth and welfare in both developed and developing countries.
- the track Public Entrepreneurship and Politics leads to a Bachelor of Political Sciences degree with political science as the major subject and economics as the minor subject. This track gives students a solid basis in political science, with a focus on how decisions are actually made in social, political, and business organizations and how political institutions are formed, including international ones.
Sciences degree with political science as the major subject and economics as the minor subject. This track gives students a solid basis in political science, with a focus on how decisions are actually made in social, political, and business organizations and how political institutions are formed, including international ones.
Skills in mathematics are crucial in modern economics. Mathematics classes are integrated into the programme in order to help students who need improvement in their mathematics skills so they can more easily manage their studies in economics. Workshops on improving writing and presentation skills are also integrated into the programme.
All obligatory courses in this programme are given in English.
JOB MARKET
Future employment activities for graduates of this programme could include analysis and investigation within the business world or within the governmental sector. In the two tracks with economics as the major subject, that analysis and investigation could, for example, be on international financial markets, international trade, or development at the country or regional level. In the two tracks including political science as the major or minor subject, the education could lead to work in the government at the international, national, or local level; for example, work on EU-related tasks or national government spending programmes for example. Moreover, these two tracks open possibilities for work within aid organizations and United Nations bodies.
Examples of occupational titles for all three tracks are investigator, administrator, planner, researcher, teacher, and consultant. For the track Financial and Economic Analysis occupational titles could also include market analyst, stock broker, and financial officer.
For more on where a career in economics may lead, try this link.
For more on where a career in political science may lead try this link.
Note, that some of the information in both of the above links is for the American job market and may not be applicable to other countries.