Economy and Society - Bachelor's Programme

The international Bachelor’s programme Economy and Society gives you a broad and steady foundation for understanding how today’s world has taken shape. You explore long-term global development, learning how economic forces and social structures interact. Built on a combination of economic history, economics, and social sciences, the programme trains you to analyse complex societal issues with clarity and purpose – an essential skillset for tackling global challenges.

From the start, you work with central concepts, global perspectives and essential academic skills such as teamwork, writing, and presenting. As you move forward, you deepen your understanding of modern economic and social change, supported by models and theories used in current research at a leading Nordic university, with classmates from around the world. Throughout your studies, you develop practical abilities: handling data, communicating results, and working in multicultural environments – valuable foundations for international careers.

Semester 5: elective courses

The programme includes one semester where you study elective courses according to your own preferences. You can study courses at Lund University or at other universities in Sweden. You can also choose to do an exchange semester or complete an internship in Sweden or abroad.

Your studies follow a clear progression. You begin by exploring global economic history – from the rise of Europe and colonial transformations to modern growth patterns in both the Global North and South. You then move into microeconomics, financial economics, and demographic change, supported by hands-on training in statistics and data skills that strengthen your analytical abilities.

As you advance, you broaden your perspective through courses in business and society, macroeconomic theory, international economics and academic writing. Later, you deepen your knowledge in regional development, economic growth, and global sustainability, while electives allow you to tailor your path within the wider field of international studies and social sciences.

You are encouraged to spend a semester abroad or complete an internship – valuable experiences that broaden your global perspective and strengthen your professional readiness. During your final term, you focus on research design and methods, leading up to your Bachelor’s thesis, where you demonstrate independence and strong problem-solving skills.

After graduation, you are prepared for roles that require clear thinking, structured analysis and an understanding of global challenges. Your ability to evaluate complex developments makes you valuable to organisations in the public and private sectors. Many graduates continue into programmes connected to economic development, international relations, sustainability, economics, and social sciences at leading European universities. Others step directly into careers that draw on strong analytical and communication skills.

Alumni have moved on to international organisations, government agencies, consulting firms, communication agencies and global companies. Their job titles include analyst, consultant, associate, fellow, and specialist in areas such as sustainability, policy, marketing, and strategic development. The programme gives you a confident entry point into international careers, research-oriented paths, and workplaces focused on understanding and shaping global development.

Prerequisites

General requirements and studies equivalent to Swedish Upper Secondary School courses English 6/English level 2, Mathematics 3b or 3c/Mathematics further level 1b or further level 1c, and Social Studies 1b or 1a1+1a2/Social Studies level 1b or level 1a2

Selection criteria

In the early international admissions round seats are allocated entirely through the general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate. In the later national admissions round seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 66 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %. The University board has decided that applicants with equal merits (in the GPA group) should be separated by the use of a valid result from the Swedish national university aptitude test.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 390,000
First payment: SEK 65,000

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Lund University Global Scholarship Programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship Programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship aimed at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA. It is primarily available for Master’s applicants. However, students applying to certain Bachelor’s programmes are also eligible. The current selection of programmes is Development Studies, Mathematics, Physics, and Physical Geography.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University. Most agreements are intended for Master’s applicants, although certain opportunities may also be available to Bachelor’s students.

Country-specific scholarships

External scholarships

In addition to scholarships offered by Lund University or through its partner agreements, there are external opportunities. On the page below, you’ll find examples of organisations that may provide financial support for international students from specific countries.

External scholarships