Study Economics in Europe: Where to Apply, Entry Scores and Fees
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Economics is the more mathematical sibling of business studies: less marketing and accounting, more statistics, modelling and policy. Our catalogue lists 400 economics programmes at 258 universities in 7 countries, 39 of them in English.
Economics or business?
Many universities teach the two together for the first year or two. The names help: in Germany, Volkswirtschaftslehre is economics and Betriebswirtschaftslehre is business; in Spain, Economía and ADE; in Italy, Economia and Economia aziendale; in France both sit inside the économie-gestion licence and split later. If you are unsure, a combined first year lets you decide after you have seen both. Our business administration guide covers the other half.
Admission by country
- France. 162 programmes, mainly non-selective university licences on Parcoursup. Economics in France.
- Germany. 94 programmes. Grade limits where we hold official figures run from 1.2 to 3.5; many programmes have open admission. Economics in Germany.
- Italy. 56 three-year degrees, 18 in English, often with the TOLC-E test. Economics in Italy.
- Spain. 40 four-year degrees, 9 in English. Access scores at public universities ran from 5 to 11.26 out of 14. Economics in Spain.
- Portugal. 21 programmes, closing between 117.8 and 174.6 out of 200. The top scores are for the Lisbon and Porto economics schools. Economics in Portugal.
- Czechia. 21 programmes, 6 in English. Economics in Czechia.
- Switzerland. 6 programmes. Economics in Switzerland.
Check the mathematics
Economics degrees assume solid school mathematics. In Spain and Portugal the weighting of the entrance exams reflects this: mathematics counts towards the access score for economics. In Germany and France, where entry is often open, the first-year mathematics and statistics exams do the selecting. Look at the first-year syllabus before you apply.
What it costs
Typical fees for EU students at public universities: no tuition in Germany, €178 a year in France, €697 a year in Portugal, €767 a year in Spain and €2,197 a year in Italy before income-based reductions. For non-EU students: €2,902 a year in France, €4,500 a year in Portugal and €1,535 a year in Spain.
After the bachelor's degree
Economist is not a regulated profession. Careers in research, central banks and international organisations normally require a master's degree, and a European bachelor's degree gives access to master's programmes in any Bologna country. If that is your aim, the amount of mathematics and econometrics in the bachelor's programme matters more than the name of the university.
Where to look next
Official sources
- Parcoursup
- CISIA: TOLC tests
- DGES
- DAAD
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.