The three-year undergraduate program involves six semesters of study with a total of 180 ECTS credit points (CP). The curricular structure follows an innovative and student-centered modularization scheme - the 3C-Model - that groups the disciplinary content of the three study years according to overarching themes:
Study program structure
The first study year is characterized by a broad offer in disciplinary education that builds on and extends the students’ entrance qualification. GEM Students select introductory modules with a total of 45 CP from the CHOICE area of a variety of study programs, of which 30 CP will be from their intended major.
Students can still change to another major at the beginning of the second year of studies if they have taken the corresponding modules of the study program in the first year of studies.
GEM students take the following discipline-specific CHOICE Modules in their first year of study:
- CHOICE Module: Microeconomics (7.5 CP)
- CHOICE Module: Macroeconomics (7.5 CP)
- CHOICE Module: Introduction to International Business (7.5 CP)
- CHOICE Module: Introduction to Finance and Accounting (7.5 CP)
These lecture-tutorial combinations provide the students with a general overview about basic concepts and theories in economics and business. In the associated tutorials, students have the opportunity to recess the material taught in the lectures through discussions of related concepts, policy problems, or scientific studies, and through cases and exercises.
In their second year, students take modules with a total of 45 CP from in-depth, discipline-specific CORE modules. These modules aim to extend the students’ critical understanding of the key theories, principles, and methods in their major at the current state of knowledge and best practice.
GEM students take 30 CP from the following CORE modules:
- CORE: Development Economics (7.5 CP)
- CORE: Environmental and Resource Economics (7.5 CP)
- CORE: Comparing Economic Systems (7.5 CP)
- CORE: International Economics (7.5 CP)
- CORE: Marketing (7.5 CP)
- CORE: Organization and Human Resource Management (7.5 CP)
These modules offer a combination of seminar and tutorial. Each module builds on the contents of the first-year modules and delve into its respective topic through a mix of lecture inputs, paper discussions, and interactive group work. In the second year of studies, examinations are increasingly oriented towards essays and presentations.
15 CP in CORE modules can be selected in the second year of studies according to interest and with the aim to pursue a minor in a second field of studies.
During their third year, students prepare and make decisions for their career after graduation. To explore available choices fitting individual interests, and to gain professional experience, students take a mandatory summer internship.
The 5th semester opens also a mobility window for ample study abroad options. Finally, the 6th semester is dedicated to fostering the research experience of students by involving them in an extended Bachelor thesis project.
GEM students take 15 CP of major-specific and major-related Specialization modules to consolidate their knowledge at the current state of research in areas of their choice.
GEM students choose 15 CP of the following Specialization Modules:
- Specialization: Advanced Econometrics (5 CP)
- Specialization: Managing Public and Nonprofit Organizations (5 CP)
- Specialization: Advanced Econometrics (5 CP)
- Specialization: Information Economics (5 CP)
- Specialization: Managerial Accounting (5 CP)
- Specialization: Contemporary Topics in Marketing (5 CP)
As a core element of Jacobs University’s employability approach students are required to engage in a mandatory two-month internship of 15 CP that will usually be completed during the summer between the second and third year of study. This gives students the opportunity to gain first-hand practical experience in a professional environment, apply their knowledge and understanding to a professional context, reflect on the relevance of their major in employment and society, reflect on their own role in employment and society, and find professional orientation. As an alternative to the full-time internship, students interested in setting up their own company can apply for a start-up option to focus on the development of their business plan.
The Jacobs Track, an important feature of Jacobs University’s educational concept, runs parallel to the disciplinary modules across all study years and is an integral part of the study program. It reflects a university-wide commitment to an in-depth training in scientific methods, fosters an interdisciplinary approach, raises awareness of global challenges and societal responsibility, enhances employability, and equips students with extra skills desirable in the general field of study. Additionally, it integrates (German) language and culture modules.
Methods and Skills modulesMethods and skills such as mathematics, statistics, programming, data handling, presentation skills, academic writing, and scientific and experimental skills are offered to all students as part of modules within the Methods and Skills area. Students are required to take 20 CP in the Methods/Skills area.
GEM students take the following Methods modules:
- Methods: Calculus and Linear Algebra I (5 CP)
- Methods: Applied Statistics with R (5 CP)
- Methods: Qualitative Research Methods (5 CP)
- Methods: Eceonometrics (5 CP)
Big Questions modules The modules of the Big Questions area intend to broaden the students’ horizon with applied problem solving between and beyond the disciplines. The offerings comprise problem-solving oriented modules that tackle global challenges from the perspectives of different disciplinary backgrounds and that allow, in particular, a reflection of the acquired disciplinary knowledge in economic, societal, technological, and/or ecological contexts.
GEM students select 2-4 modules (10 CP) from a broad portfolio of Big Questions modules.
Community Impact ProjectIn their 5th semester, students are required to take a 5 CP Community Impact Project (CIP) module. Students engage in on-campus or off-campus activities that challenge their social responsibility, i.e., they typically work on major-related projects that make a difference in the community life on campus, in its neighborhood, in Bremen, or on a cross-regional level.
Language modulesJacobs University supports its students in acquiring and improving these skills by offering a variety of language modules at all proficiency levels. Emphasis is put on fostering German language skills of international students as they are an important prerequisite for non-native speaking students to learn about, explore, and eventually integrate into their host country and its professional environment.
All students take four language courses in the first and second year.
The curriculum of the study program is outlined in the schematic study plan:
The well known Center for Higher Education (CHE) certifies: GEM provides top-flight education in economics and management in Germany! In 2018, GEM is in the #1 group for the quality of courses offered, the organization of its examinations, the opportunities in the curriculum, the scientific basis of its education, the support provided by instructors, access to professional skills and in the quality of its facilities, among other great marks.
