Are you fascinated by current societal and economical challenges? Do you want to broaden your perspective and assess the impact of globalisation? The brand new Bachelor of Social-Economic Sciences is exactly what you are looking for! You will be part of a young, inclusive and forward-thinking university, that scores extremely well in Young University Rankings. Your professors' academic knowledge and personal approach will ensure you receive the highest quality of education. Our strategic location, only 45 min from Brussels, gives you direct access to several of Europe’s biggest institutions like the European Parliament, the European Commission as well as other international organisations. The programme is taught in English and welcomes all international applicants.
Since 2004, the University of Antwerp has offered the Dutch-language equivalent programme ‘Sociaal-Economische Wetenschappen’ (SEW). This unique, cross-disciplinary programme allows you to develop competences related to socio-economic policy, business, economics, sociology, mathematics and statistics. "You develop an intellectual flexibility and breadth that allows you to analyze complex issues independently. For that reason alone, it is a unique programme in Flanders," says Prof. Ive Marx, programme manager of the Dutch-language Master in Social-Economic Sciences.
English-language Bachelor of Social-Economic Sciences
Starting in the academic year 2021-2022, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Business Economics of the University of Antwerp will also offer an English-language version of the bachelor's programme: the Bachelor of Social-Economic Sciences (SES).
Prof. Koen Decancq, programme manager of the new bachelor programme: "The Bachelor SES will largely be the same as the Dutch-language programme, with the difference, of course, that all courses will be taught in English. The courses with a Belgian focus in the Dutch-language programme will take a more international perspective in the English-language Bachelor SES. Our students will be able to build an international network already in the auditorium."
Professor Koen Decancq
In the first year, the programme’s broad curriculum introduces you to several fields. This will help you discover where your interests lie and make a choice for a major in economics, sociology or business in the second and third year. The major and electives determine in which Master’s programmes you can enroll f.e. Master of Applied Economic Sciences: Economic Policy, Master of Business Economics, Master of Political Science or a set of Dutch-languages masters. This Bachelor's degree can also give you access to a large number of English Master's programmes at universities all over the world.
Career prospects
The English-language Bachelor of Social-Economic Sciences will be organised for the first time in the academic year of 2021 - 2022. That means you will be among the first to graduate this international, multidisciplinary programme. However, we can look at the careers of our alumni from the Dutch-language equivalent programme. They are consultants, HR officers, advisors, managers, … and work for banks, public institutions, consultancy firms, etc. Out of those graduates, 94.7% found a job within 6 months. Several alumni now live and work abroad: Germany, Spain, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and so on.
Study at the heart of Europe
The fact that the programme is offered in the centre of the city of Antwerp means that students immediately come into contact with a sociologically interesting and multicultural environment, where they can immediately test theory in practice. With its port and innovative character, this metropolis is one of the most attractive business cities in Europe. The economic insights are enriched by guest speakers from the corporate world. Guest speakers from civil society give a unique inside view of the wicked social problems of our time.
What students have to say about this programme
The programme is the ideal option for students interested in social sciences and economics who aspire an international career. But we are not the only ones who are excited about this programme! Here are some of our students about the Dutch-language equivalent programme ‘Sociaal-Economische Wetenschappen’ (SEW):
“The Bachelor SEW gave me a unique advantage in the job market. Nowadays, every organisation is looking for people that possess both soft skills and hard skills. This programme is the perfect preparation for your international career.” – Anne (Belgium)
“I chose the programme SEW because I was particularly interested in politics, sociology and economics. I liked the fact that you could put together your curriculum according to your interests. The university pays a lot of attention to diversity. That same diversity also showed in the variety of people I met. When you study SEW, you take classes with students from social sciences, economics,… You basically feel at home everywhere!” - Abdel (Belgium)
