NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Economic sciences
Example: economic sciences (university)
Below, an example of study regulations governing Diplom degree courses in the economic sciences at the University of
Passau (from 4 March 1993) is used to present the objective, contents and sequence of studies in these Diplom degree courses.
These study regulations are based on the respective examination regulations for the Diplom degree in business studies and the
Diplom degree in political economy. The Diplom degree course for business studies is discussed in particular detail below by
way of an example.
The standard period of studies (Regelstudienzeit) is eight semesters (including time spent writing the Diplom dissertation).
The study regulations give the following information on the objectives, contents and sequence of the study programme.
Study of economics should enable the student to recognise economic problems, to analyse them applying scientific methods
and to solve them, working independently. During the course of study the student has the opportunity to prepare for his or her
intended profession by choosing a relevant subject combination. Specialisation in various subjects is intended to intensify its
practical orientation and broad professional application. For graduates of the Diplom degree course in business studies,
possible careers may be considered above all in the fields of accountancy and finance, business planning, data processing and
information technology, sales, auditing, business organisation and personnel management.
On passing the Diplom examination, the university awards the academic degree Diplom-Kaufmann Univ. (Dipl.-Kfm. Univ.)
or Diplom-Kauffrau Univ. (Dipl.Kffr. Univ.).
The basic studies, covering four semesters as a rule, are concluded with the intermediate Diplom examination (Diplom-
Vorprüfung) in the following subjects: business studies, political economy, statistics and law.
The basic studies syllabus includes the following preparatory subjects:
business accounting, mathematics for economists, English for economists and introduction to business data processing.
Additional optional
classes include: classes at the computer centre, general and subjectspecific
foreign language studies or optional classes offered by the
faculty of economics and other faculties.
The individual basic studies subjects cover the following number of aggregate hours of weekly attendance obligation over the
period of basic
studies: business studies 10 (of lectures) and 6 (of exercise courses); political economy 12/6; statistics 6/4; law 9/2; business
accounting 1/2; mathematics for economists 3/2; English for economists 3/0; business data processing 2/2.
The advanced studies section, which also lasts four semesters as a rule, is concluded with the Diplom examination
(Diplomprüfung), which consists of separate examinations in the following subjects: general business studies, political
economy, two special business studies subjects and one compulsory option. The two special business studies subjects may be
chosen from the following, amongst others: marketing and commerce, banking, business taxation, production economics,
investment and finance, insurance and risk theory. Compulsory options may include amongst others a further special business
studies subject, economic analysis, public finance, statistics, operational research and private law.
Banking will be taken here as an example of the content and requirements of an examination subject constituting part of the
Diplom examination: this subject encompasses an introductory class (dealing, in particular, with the banking system and the
normative framework covering the banking industry) as well as classes on business accounting/bank controlling, bank
planning/banking policy, banking risks and risk management, and other selected banking issues. The certificates required for
admission to the Diplom examination (Leistungsnachweis) can be acquired by participation in an exercise course or seminar
for advanced students.