PROGRAMME SYLLABUS
Preliminary, not confirmed

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics with a major in Economics

Ekonomie kandidatexamen med huvudområdet nationalekonomi

Global economic linkages are being reshaped by shifting trade patterns, technological change, and new policy challenges. Understanding these forces requires economists who can analyse data, apply theory, and communicate insights clearly. At Jönköping International Business School (JIBS), located in one of the world’s most open and export-oriented economies, you will study economics in a truly international environment.

The Bachelor’s in International Economics equips you with analytical and practical tools to understand how markets, policies, and institutions interact to shape economic outcomes. The programme combines a solid foundation in economic theory with quantitative and business-oriented skills, preparing you to analyse and address today’s global challenges, from market dynamics and innovation to trade, growth, and inequality.

The programme begins by building a broad foundation in business and economics. Through courses in organisation, marketing, accounting, statistics, and the principles of micro-, macro-, and international economics, you develop a solid understanding of economic reasoning and business fundamentals, including how firms, markets, and institutions interact in a global context.

As you progress, your studies become increasingly analytical and data-driven. You will deepen your understanding of international trade, economic dynamics, and financial markets, while gaining practical skills in statistics, econometrics, and the use of statistical software. Courses in data management, analysis and visualisation as well as applied econometrics strengthen your ability to work with real-world data, interpret and communicate empirical results clearly. These analytical and quantitative competencies are at the core of an economist’s toolkit and highly valued in the job market. As a graduate of this programme, you will be well prepared to support organisations with evidence-based reasoning and data-driven analysis .

The programme also integrates sustainability and entrepreneurship as recurring themes. You will explore how economic growth interacts with environmental and social development, and how entrepreneurs and policymakers can design solutions that promote long-term value creation. This applied perspective helps you understand how global sustainability challenges are linked with innovation, economic incentives, and institutional change. It prepares you for taking part in solving real-world problems.

Beyond technical and analytical knowledge, you will develop essential business competencies. Through projects, teamwork, and presentations, you will learn to structure complex problems, communicate data-driven insights, and collaborate effectively across cultures and disciplines. This is all integrated in the concluding bachelor’s thesis, where you apply the analytical, methodological, and critical thinking skills you have developed throughout the programme to an independent research question in economics.

At JIBS, learning is closely connected to practice and international experience. You will study in an international classroom, engage in discussions that reflect diverse perspectives, and apply theory to real-world data and cases. The programme offers the flexibility to shape your own path through elective courses, an internship, and a semester abroad at one of JIBS’s many partner universities worldwide. All in all, the skills and economic expertise you gain from this programme leave you well prepared to start a career path where you can work as an analyst, consultant, or policymaker in international organisations, banks, firms, and public institutions.

Knowlegde and Understanding

Bachelor of Science Compentence Goal 1:

JIBS' Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding in their major and can effectively apply this knowledge to international contexts.

Translated in the following programme-specific learning outcome:

P-ILO 1: Demonstrate knowledge of core principles in economic theory and empirical methods, and apply them to analyse, interpret, and explain economic issues and policy challenges at a national and global level.

Skills and Abilities

Bachelor of Science Competence Goal 2:

JIBS' Graduates are skilled in analytical and critical thinking and can conduct academic work.

Translated in the following programme-specific learning outcome:

P-ILO 2: Critically evaluate economic relationships using theory, data, and quantitative analysis, and present conclusions through clear, evidence-based, and academically rigorous communication.

Bachelor of Science Competence Goal 3:

JIBS' Graduates are skilled team workers who communicate effectively across cultures.

Translated in the following programme-specific learning outcome:

P-ILO 3: Collaborate effectively in multicultural teams and communicate economic reasoning and data-driven insights clearly across cultural and interdisciplinary contexts.

Judgement and Approach

Bachelor of Science Competence Goal 4:

JIBS graduates contribute to ethical and sustainable business practices with an understanding of societal trends.

Translated in the following programme-specific learning outcome:

P-ILO 4: Assess the ethical, sustainable, and societal implications of economic activity and policy, and apply economic reasoning to promote responsible decision-making and long-term value creation in international contexts.

Mission Driven

Bachelor of Science Competence Goal 5:

JIBS graduates have an entrepreneurial mindset and are prepared to navigate in situations of uncertainty and change.

Translated in the following programme-specific learning outcome:

P-ILO 5: Apply an entrepreneurial and solution-oriented mindset to identify and address opportunities and challenges in a global, data-driven, and constantly changing economy.

Electives

During the elective semester, you are required to take courses equivalent to 30 ECTS.

The recommendation is to focus the elective studies on courses in Business Administration and/or Economics at G2F level. You can also choose to study subjects that complement your specialisation and career plans, in: Statistics, Economic Geography, Commercial Law, Language, Computer Sciences, Informatics, and/or Environmental Studies (exceptions from this can apply if pre-approved by the Programme Director).

The elective semester can include academic internship courses worth up to of maximum 15 ECTS.

Course changes can occur, as long as they do not substantially affect the programme’s content and learning goals.

Semester	Course Name	Credits	Main field of study	Specialised in	Course Code
1	Global Business and Economics with a Nordic Perspective	5	Economics	G1N	J1GBAE
1	Introduction to Financial Reporting	5	Business Administration	G1N	J1ITFR
1	Microeconomic Principles	5	Economics	G1N	J1MPPK
1	Navigating Academia and Business	5	Business Administration	G1N	J1NAAB
1	Organisation and Leadership	5	Business Administration	G1N	J1OALV
1	Principles of Marketing	5	Business Administration	G1N	J1POMT
2	Applied Business Statistics	5	Statistics	G1F	J1ABSH
2	Entrepreneurship and Economics for Sustainable Societies	10	Business Administration, Economics	G1F	J1EAEF
2	International Economics Principles	5	Economics	G1F	J1IEPS
2	Managerial Accounting for Business Decisions	5	Business Administration	G1F	J1MAFB
2	Macroeconomic Principles	5	Economics	G1F	J1MPVJ
3	Corporate Finance	5	Business Administration, Economics	G1F	J1CFZS
3	Data Management, Analytics and Visualisation	5	Statistics	G1F	J1DMAA
3	Econometrics	10	Economics	G1F	J1ENJB
3	Intermediate Microeconomics	10	Economics	G2F	J1IMPK
3	Mathematics for Economics	5	Economics	G1F	J1MFEO
4	Elective course(s)	10
4	Applied Analysis in Business and Economics	5	Business Administration, Economics	G2F	J1AAIB
4	Intermediate International Economics	5	Economics	G2F	J1IIED
4	Intermediate Macroeconomics	5	Economics	G2F	J1IMAQ
5	Studying abroad/Elective courses	30
6	Applied Econometrics	5	Economics	G2F	J1AESI
6	International Business Law	5	Commercial Law	G1F	J1IBLX
6	Managing Projects and Processes	5	Business Administration	G2F	J1MPAP
6	Bachelor Thesis in Economics	15	Economics	G2E	JUNP17

The programme is campus-based with on-site participation and mandatory sessions included. To pass a course, you must fulfill all the course requirements. Examination is executed through different forms of assessment (including written, oral, participatory). Several methods of assessment can be applied within a single course.

You will be offered examination and re-examination opportunities in accordance with: Regulations and Guidelines for first, second and third cycle education at Jönköping University.

Most courses are graded according to the following six levels: A-E constitutes a pass and FX or F is equal to a fail. Some courses and/or assignments are graded with Pass or Fail.

You must meet continuation requirements to be eligible for registration to the next academic year within the programme. For registering to year 2, you must have completed at least 30 ECTS of the courses listed in the programme syllabus. For registering to year 3, you must have completed at least 90 ECTS of the courses listed in the programme syllabus.

To be eligible for study abroad, you must have completed at least 75 percent of the programme credits scheduled up to the time of application. Detailed information about eligibility will be provided in due time before the exchange application period.

To obtain the Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics with a major in Economics (180 ECTS), you shall complete the course requirements of at least 180 credits, where at least 90 credits are in Economics (including Bachelor’s thesis in Economics of 15 credits) and at least 30 credits are in Business Administration.

To obtain the Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics (180 ECTS) with a major in Economics, with a focus on International Economics, you must complete: (1) the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics with a major in Economics (180 ECTS), (2) all mandatory programme courses as listed in the above contents section, or their equivalent, (3) elective courses in one or more of the following disciplines: business administration, economics, statistics, economic geography, commercial law, language, computer sciences, informatics, and/or environmental studies (exceptions can apply if approved by the Programme Director).

Preparatory/Foundation courses cannot be included/counted towards the JIBS degree.

A maximum of 15 ECTS from internship courses can be counted towards the degree.

Student involvement and our cooperation with the JIBS Student Association (JSA) is crucial for the quality assurance work. The work is conducted at a school-, programme- and course level.

At the school level, students representing JSA are voting members of JIBS Council for Undergraduate and Master’s Education (CUME). For each programme, student representatives are appointed to represent the student perspective in meetings with the Programme Director. Sessions are organised regularly at a programme level, to discuss the general impressions, connections and overlaps between courses, and withinprogramme progression. The students are also part of the Programme Development Group, where faculty members meet to discuss the overall content and progression of the programme. At a course level, students meet with the course Examiner during as well as after the course to discuss potential improvements of the course design and delivery