WHY CHOOSE BUSINESS ECONOMICS?

Do you wonder why a brand-new car you purchased is worth less the very moment you drive it off the seller’s lot? Or why one firm seems to market its products more successfully than another firm? Are you intrigued by why some countries have been performing well even in times of crisis? Do you want to know how to best motivate your employees? Then you should consider studying Business Economics.

A UNIQUE COMBINATION

This English-taught academic bachelor programme combines business and economics: it provides solid foundations in micro- and macroeconomics, a strong background in mathematics and statistics, and courses in most functional fields of business (management & organizations; marketing; finance & accounting). This gives students a wider range of options when they graduate, both for graduate programmes and on the job market.

If you opt to study the "Business and Technology" specialization, you add a third dimension to your study curriculum: the technological aspect. You learn the basics of electronics, chemistry and bioscience, IT modeling and you zoom in on technological entrepreneurship. 

A YOUNG PROGRAMME

This programme was launched in the academic year of 2018-2019. Annually, the programme is growing and our very first bachelors in Business Economics have graduated in the academic year of 2020-2021.

We welcomed over 110 new bachelor students in our first year, making the launch a great success! Currently, about 400 students are enrolled in this programme.

THE PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The bachelor programme exists of three modules: BA1, BA2 and BA3. Ideally you finalize all three modules in three academic years. In the 3rd module, you will have to select your specialization: International Business or Business and Technology. This choice has a vital impact on your master options (you can find more information on this further down this page).

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning outcomes describe the intended knowledge and understanding, skills and attitudes that you must master after completing your studies. Do you want to know more about the specific learning outcomes of this programme? Click here for more information.

OPTIONS MASTER PROGRAMME

After having completed this bachelor programme, you have the option to continue in one of the following master programmes (based on your 3rd bachelor specialization):

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

In order for you to apply for this Bachelor programme, you need to have secondary school credentials that grant you access to a Bachelor degree in your home country.

Some international high school degrees are deemed equivalent to a Belgian degree of secondary education and grant direct access (provided you also have valid proof of language proficiency) to our Bachelor programmes.

List of equivalent secondary school certificates

If you have a high school degree that is not equivalent to a Belgian degree of secondary education, you will have to meet our language requirements (see below) and send us your high school diploma and transcripts as well as a letter of motivation. The admissions committee then decides whether you are eligible to join the programme.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

We accept the following proof of English language proficiency:

1. an upper secondary school diploma from the Belgian educational system;

2. a certificate from the institution where you finished secondary or higher education, stating that English was the language of instruction;

3. a certificate of one of the following language tests corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference with minimum level B2: 

• TOEFL (only the internet-based test is accepted) with minimum level: 79
• IELTS academic module, with minimum level: 6.5
• Cambridge English minimum grade scale score of 170
• ITACE with minimum level B2

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are aware that students may face difficulties to take a test in person. Please note that we also accept the TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator. These are variants of the classic TOEFL and IELTS tests that you may take at home.

This proof can be provided by presenting results of a language test or documents issued by your home institution. Please note that language test results cannot be older than 5 years at the moment of application.

It is mandatory that the language requirements are met before you are accepted at the VUB. We do not issue letters of acceptance without it.

MATH SKILLS

Although a GMAT is not required to be admitted, we do expect our students to have solid prior knowledge of mathematics. To find out if your knowledge is sufficient, we have developed a short test. You should be able to finish these exercises without too much trouble. Struggling with one of the topics? Then be sure to take the time to brush up on your mathematics skills.

Test your math skills!

THE PROCEDURE

The application procedure takes time since different departments are involved in the screening process. Therefore, we advise all of our candidates to apply well before the deadline and to submit a complete file (including all required uploads) as soon as possible.

1. Start the application procedure, submit your file and pay the application fee (€50)
2. Screening process in three steps: central admissions office checks completeness of your file > faculty program board check the academic requirements > central admissions office checks the language requirements
3. Outcome of screening: if accepted, you will receive a conditional letter of acceptance (which you can use to request a student visa)
4. Enroll at VUB university campus before October 8th

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• ID card / Passport copy;
• Passport photo (to be used for your student card);
• High school diploma or proof that you will graduate at the end of this school year;
• Proof of English proficiency;
• High school results (not mandatory if you have direct access);
• Letter of motivation (not mandatory if you have direct access)

Even if you do not possess all of the required documents, you can already submit your application and send us your late documents as soon as they are available to you.

STUDY AT SOLVAY BUSINESS SCHOOL

The Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School has its roots in the Business Engineering programme founded by Ernest Solvay in 1903. This started a long tradition of integrating business education with technology, which continues to this day in all of its programmes. 

STUDY IN BRUSSELS

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is a dynamic and modern university with almost two centuries of history. VUB has 15.000 students, 21% of which are international students from more than 120 different countries. 

Being a student at VUB means learning in an international and open atmosphere of tolerance and diversity that will help you to grow into an independent and critical-thinking individual. 

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is known for its highly skilled academics and professionals with an excellent command of various languages and a good understanding of multiple cultures are needed in national and international public institutions and in multinational companies. As the capital of Europe, Brussels is the perfect setting to prepare yourself for a job in the field(s) of business economics.

This bachelor is taught on a green campus where all facilities are close at hand: classrooms, student restaurant, library, sports facilities (swimming pool, gym, three sports courts, badminton facilities).

YOUR BACHELOR IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

After having completed this bachelor programme, you have the option to continue in one of the following master programmes at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (based on your 3rd bachelor specialization):

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

A degree in Business Economics is versatile. Graduates can get jobs in a broad range of sectors like banking, insurance, audit or consulting, but also in public administration. They work in research departments or other staff functions in firms and organizations, and in operational functions as well. Some graduates become sales managers or human resources managers, others work in marketing. In short, the degree offers a broad range of opportunities.