Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Degree Programs

Master of Science in Business and Economics

The Master’s program builds on previous knowledge relating to business and economics obtained in a Bachelor’s degree program.

The “Master of Science in Business and Economics” covers the interrelated subjects of Business Administration and Economics. Students learn how to apply formal economic modeling and empirical analysis to obtain insights into the functioning of companies and markets, covering a comprehensive range of topics including accounting, finance, innovation, marketing, personnel management, pricing, and organization. The program is offered jointly by the departments of Business Administration and Economics. It is a mono program (90 ECTS) and can be completed in a standard study period of three semesters. As a result, it is not possible to take on a minor subject. Students may choose a particular focus area or opt for a broader selection of courses, the only requirement being that a minimum of 30 ECTS are obtained in each of the two departments. Business Administration courses offer students an in-depth understanding of the functioning of modern enterprises. Students can choose from a rich array of topics such as accounting and controlling, corporate strategy, financing and capital structure, marketing, and organization, to name just a few. All the courses place an emphasis on empirical methods and/or analytic reasoning based on economic theory.

On the one hand, Economics courses provide students with formal methods (e.g. Game Theory, Mechanism Design, Econometrics, Big Data), and on the other, they teach students how to use them to achieve a well-founded understanding of companies’ internal organization (Organizational Economics), their behavior within specific industries (Microeconomics, Industrial Organization) and their interaction with financial markets (Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics).

The “Master of Science in Business and Economics” responds to the growing demand for specialists who work at the intersection of Business Administration and Economics. Pairing these subjects with analytical methodologies provides students with a competitive edge in a labor market calling for ever-greater numbers of business economists.

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Basic information
Degree: Master of Science in Business and Economics, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 90 ECTS credits
Degree programs: Mono program 90 ECTS credits 
Duration: 3 semesters
Languages: 80% English / 20% German 
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Details of program

The “Master of Science in Business and Economics” course is offered jointly by the Departments of Business Management and Economics. It is a mono program earning 90 ECTS credits. As a result, minor subjects are permitted.

Students following the “Business and Economics” program receive outstanding preparation for the interdisciplinary aspects of the professional world. The combination of both branches of study (Business Administration and Economics) provides students with a comprehensive education, which is particularly important for jobs in banking, insurance and the public sector.

Scheme of program

The Master's program in Business and Economics amounts to 90 ECTS credits and lasts for three semesters (standard study period). You need to achieve a minimum of 30 ECTS credits in Business Administration and 30 ECTS credits in Economics. Courses are offered in English and, in some cases, in German.

The “Business and Economics” program encompasses 90 ECTS credits and consists of the following elements:

1. Courses amounting to 70 ECTS credits are offered in both Business Administration and Economics, subdivided as follows:

  • 30 ECTS credits to be completed from the list of Business Administration courses in Appendix 2 of the SP MSc B&Ec; including at least one seminar
  • 30 ECTS credits to be completed from the list of Economics courses in Appendix 2 of the SP MSc B&Ec; including at least one seminar
  • The remaining 10 ECTS may be selected from the entire Master’s lecture program for Business Administration and Economics (not limited to the list in Appendix 2 of the SP MSc B&Ec).

2. Master’s thesis (20 ECTS), to be written in Business Administration or Economics (maximum of three students as joint authors)

Deadlines

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the Master’s degree program in Business and Economics (mono):

a) Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Economics (minimum 15 ECTS credits)
  The following courses must have been successfully completed at Bachelor's level:
  Business Administration Economics
  Financial Reporting Microeconomics I
  Valuation Macroeconomics I
  Quantitative Methods of Business Administration I Econometrics I
  Strategic Management Introduction to Game Theory
 

Additional conditions or requirements may be requested (max. 60 ECTS). Requirements are to be met by the time the student completes their Master’s studies, and conditions have to be satisfied before the student can be admitted to the Master’s program. The respective ECTS credits will be disclosed in the Diploma Supplement as extracurricular academic attainments.

If you are applying with an international Bachelor's degree, you must also submit GMAT test results with a minimum score of 575 for the mathematical (quantitative) and linguistic (verbal) part.
b) Bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a major in Economics and a minor in Business Administration (minimum 15 ECTS credits)
  The following courses must have been successfully completed at Bachelor's level:
  Business Administration  Economics
  Financial Reporting Microeconomics I
  Valuation Macroeconomics I
  Quantitative Methods of Business Administration I Econometrics I
  Strategic Management Introduction to Game Theory
 

Additional attainments of up to 60 ECTS credits may be required. These can either be admission requirements which must be fulfilled in order to complete the master's degree program or admission requirements which must be fulfilled before admission to the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

If you are applying with an international bachelor's degree, you must also provide proof of a GMAT score of a minimum of 575 points for the mathematics (quantitative) and language (verbal) sections.
c) Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Economics from a university of applied sciences in Switzerland or abroad
  Direct admission to the Master's degree program in Business and Economics is not possible. Generally, students will undergo an assessment (Einstufung) and be assigned to the 5th semester of the Bachelor's degree program in Business Administration or Economics.

The degree used for the purposes of the assessment (Einstufung) may not be more than six years old.

For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application and admission

Application and admission

Admission requirements 
Admission deadlines

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the M Sc in Business and Economics, Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Recognition of academic achievements
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration

Application with a Swiss degree

Online application
Assessment
Steps from application to registration

Application with an international degree

Online application
CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information
Steps from application to registration

 For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.