The roots of the Economic Faculty reach far back into the last centuries. The first professorship at a German university for "Öconomie, Polizey- und Cammersachen" was established in Halle in 1727.
Achievements of scholars in the economic field at Halle University have developed the university's reputation both in Germany and abroad. Some famous scientists who contributed to this reputation were: Ludwig-Heinrich Jacob, a co-founder of the science of finance, and Gustav Schmoller and Johannes Conrad, two leading members of the Association for Social Policy, which was founded in Halle in 1872.

At present, the Economic Faculty offers Diploma Courses in Business Studies, Economics, Business Informatics and, in cooperation with the Department of Engineering Sciences, (Industrial) Business Engineering. In addition there are BSc Courses in Business Studies and in Economics (taught in English) and Business Studies, Business Informatics and Economics as minor subjects of the Magister Artium Program. Furthermore, courses to gain the master’s degree in Empiric Economy and Political Consulting are offered.

Characterization of the course: The course is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for their future careers. This includes the methods and tools for planning and implementation and control of business decisions in companies. In addition it is essential to learn and to improve:

• study skills
• argumentation and communication
• planning, organising and managing
• problem solving
• working in a team
• analysing models and systems

during the course of studies.

Examinations: Written examinations (written tests, assignments) or oral examinations (15-20 minutes) are forms of continuous assessment in the individual subjects.
According to the examination regulations, the assessment is based on grade points ("Fachpunkte", between 0 and 100). The number of grade points achieved as a total in one subject is the result of the weighted arithmetic average of all individual components. The weighting depends on the credit points ("Leistungspunkte") awarded to the individual subjects. Students who achieve at least 50 grade points (Grade D) in one component, get the corresponding credit points for this subject.
Written examinations are held every semester during or at the end of the lecture session and shortly before the start of the following lecture session.

Schedule: The course is divided into the basic study and the advanced study period (undergraduate studies and diploma studies).

The basic study period consists of 4 semesters ending in the intermediate examination (Diplom-Vorprüfung). It contains both the basic principles of business studies and preliminary subjects (Propädeutika).

The curriculum of the course consists of a total of 72 hours p.w. which are allocated as follows:

• Fundamentals of Business Studies, approx. 20 hours p.w.
  (Introduction to Business Studies, Production Management and Logistics, Marketing, Organisation and Human Resources Management, Cost and Activity Accounting, Profit and Loss Accounting)
• Fundamentals of Economics, approx. 18 hours p.w.
  (Introduction to Economics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Political Economy)
• Fundamentals of Statistics, approx. 8 hours p.w.
  (Descriptive Statistics, Calculus of Probability, Estimation and Test Procedures)
• Fundamentals of Business Law, approx. 8 hours p.w.
  (Introduction to private and public law)
• Preliminary courses ("Propädeutika")
  Accountancy, approx. 4 hours p.w.
  Business Mathematics, approx. 8 hours p.w.
  Business Informatics, approx. 8 hours p.w.

The intermediate examination includes the subjects "Fundamentals of Business Studies", "Fundamentals of Economics", "Fundamentals of Statistics" and "Fundamentals of Business Law". To pass the intermediate examination the appropriate examinations for each of these subjects have to be passed by the end of the 6th semester at the latest. A failed examination can be retaken twice.

The advanced study period consists of 5 semesters with a total of 70 hours p.w. and ends in the final examination to gain the Diploma.
The Economic Faculty offers a number of specialisations. The curricula are designed to provide students with both a solid knowledge of general business as well as with special skills in specific areas. To achieve that goal the students have to attend courses in economics and general business studies. In addition they have to chose three subjects from a different discipline as explained in the table below.

Students have to select 14 hours p.w. from each the following 5 disciplines:

Diploma Examination: To gain the diploma the following criteria have to be fulfilled:
The student has to score at least 20 credit points in each of the five disciplines (see table above). In addition each discipline ends in an oral examination. Finally every student has to submit a diploma thesis on an economic topic. The editing time usually amounts to 12 weeks. A failed diploma thesis can be rewritten once.
An additional examination in a 6^th subject (or even more) can be taken on application. According to the examination regulations every additional subject should consists of at least 14 hours per week.

Duration of Study: The standard period of study is 9 semesters. If a student does not pass all required examinations before the end of the 13^th semester she/he has to be removed from the register of students without receiving a diploma.

Future career profiles: In general, Business Study graduates work for companies in the private business sector, as there are:

• Industrial and Commercial enterprises
• Banks and Insurance companies
• Audit and Accounting companies
• Tax Consulting companies
• Consulting companies

Possible fields of activity for Business Study graduates are:

• Procurement and Production Management
• Marketing
• Human Resource Management
• Investment, Financing and Accounting

Academic Advisor for further information on syllabus