Master of Science in Business Economics

Are you interested in a job in the business sector? Are you always eager to find out exactly how a problem can be explained and can be solved in a sustainable way? Are you looking for a programme in business economics? Would you prefer a job as manager in a successful firm in the future?

If that is the case, choose the Master of Science in Business Economics!

About the programme

The Master of Business Economics is an academic master's programme with a strong analytical, quantitative and research-oriented approach.

Throughout the programme, you gain an in-depth understanding of how organisations operate from the inside. Topics include corporate finance, accounting, business organisation, operations, marketing, human resource management and strategic decision-making.

The emphasis is on analysing business processes, understanding the economic principles behind managerial decisions, and using data-driven methods to solve complex business problems.

The courses require critical thinking, analytical reasoning and the application of quantitative methods. Research skills are an integral part of the curriculum.

The programme offers three areas of specialisation, allowing students to deepen their expertise in a specific functional field of business:

Is this an MBA programme?

The Master of Business Economics is often mistaken for a traditional MBA programme, but the two are quite different.

An MBA typically focuses on developing managerial and leadership skills for professionals, often through case studies and practical business applications.

The Master of Business Economics builds on a solid foundation in economics, mathematics and statistics and places considerable emphasis on quantitative analysis and research methods.

Applicants are therefore encouraged to carefully review the programme content and admission requirements to determine whether their prior education provides sufficient preparation for the analytical and quantitative nature of the programme.

Facts & figures

Credits: 60 ECTS
Mode: full-time or part-time
Duration: 1 academic year
First semester: September - January
Second semester: February - July
Main subjects: accountancy, corporate finance, marketing
Internship: possible as elective course
Language: English
1 October: applications are open
1 April: application deadline non-EEA students
1 June: application deadline EEA students
Tuition fee EEA students: €1181,40
Tuition fee non-EEA students: €7079,40

What our international alumni say about this programme

I chose for the faculty of Economics and Business Administration because of the duration of the studies, the language, the references, price and location. I knew what I was looking for. I wanted something finance-related and I found it here. Studying Business Economics - corporate finance here was really challenging. It is not a joke. You have to work for your grades, but you will not regret it. The quality of the education exceeded my expectations, I feel like I learned a lot. The modular approach also kept me on top, it kept me working. - Julie Owiti, from Kenia, obtained a Bachelor in Business Studies at Vesalius College (Belgium)

My experience of life here was amazing to be honest. I chose to study here because the faculty of Economics and Business Administration is well-ranked in Europe and Ghent University is so research oriented, future oriented and student oriented. After I read more about the marketing programme I knew I wanted to come to Ghent. And actually I got no clue about how Ghent was. The programme was essential for my choice, it was in my field of interest. - Aleksandar Kachakovski, from Macedonia, obtained a Bachelor of Applied E-technologies at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje (Macedonia)

Programme structure

The master’s programme has a modular structure and the majority of the courses use the problem-based learning methodology. That means that you will no longer be taught according to the traditional semester system. From now on, your courses will be bundled in four modular blocks of six weeks each. You only have two courses per block which allows you to process the content in a more focused and in-depth manner. The teaching methods are challenging: case studies, group assignments, discussion panels, lectures, business games, etc. At the end of each modular block you have exams from the two previous courses. During a modular block you also get interim tests and (group) assignments. As a result, you have a combination of continuous assessment and examinations at the end of the semester.

General course (6 ECTS credits)

The common part for all students of this programme is the course Strategic Management. This course will deepen your knowledge of and insight into both the main functional management domains (sales and marketing, production and logistics, HR, finance) and the overarching strategic management function.

Elective course (6 ECTS credits)

You have several options for the elective course:

You choose another course from your major to specialise even more in this subject area
You choose a course from the other major in order to widen your horizon
You choose an elective course from a broad range of general courses
You do an internship

Courses related to the main subject (33 ECTS credits)

In the master’s programme there are three disciplines that allow you to tailor your curriculum, according to your own interests, to one functional field:

Master dissertation (15 ECTS credits)

Finally, the master’s dissertation is an important element of the programme in which academic research questions that are also relevant for practice are stringently and independently studied.

More information

More information about the courses can be found in the course specifications, these can be consulted in the Study Guide.