Research questions in this area of focus address, among other things, how markets function, the potential occurrence of market failures, and policy instruments to counteract them. This involves topics from the fields of industrial economics, household, consumer, family, and health economics, public finance, international economics, and money and currency.
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What is this about? In this area of study, you will learn concepts for analyzing market functionality and market failures. In addition, you’ll gain knowledge about the effects and optimal selection of fiscal, competition, and innovation policy instruments for regulating markets. This combines economic and legal perspectives. National and international health economics topics are also examined and discussed.
What is being researched? The research topics covered by the departments involved in this specialization are extremely diverse. For example, you’ll explore the trade and welfare effects of international trade agreements, the influence of taxes and social security contributions on the behavior of individuals and firms, you might observe innovations and their impacts in subfields of the bioeconomy or robotics; you might analyze whether price-setting algorithms alter structural market conditions and whether this poses a threat to competition; you examine the German long-term care market as well as the socioeconomic determinants of obesity, or you explore how subjective well-being develops with age and how it is influenced by lifestyles.
Why should you choose this specialization? In this specialization, you will learn to conduct in-depth analyses of competition issues from economic and legal perspectives. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain broad expertise in various fields, such as industrial, health, consumer, and innovation economics, as well as public finance.
Module | Recommended Semester | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Microeconomics in Action | 4th Semester | Elective |
| European Innovation Systems and Innovation Politics | 4th Semester | Elective |
| European Law* | 4th Semester | Elective |
| Public Finance: Taxation | 4th Semester | Elective |
| Health Economics | 4th Semester | Elective |
| Household and Consumer Economics | 4th Semester | Elective |
| International Trade | 4th Semester | Elective |
| Monetary Policy | 5th Semester | Elective |
| Antitrust Law | 5th Semester | Elective |
| Game Theory | 5th Semester | Elective |
* This module is offered subject to the availability of the instructor.
| Module | Recommended Semester | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Project Seminar Humboldt Reloaded | 4th/3rd Semester | Semi-Elective |
| Profile Seminar Topics in International Economics | 5th Semester | Semi-Elective |
| Profile Seminar European Law | 5th Semester | Semi-Elective |
| Profile Seminar Consumer Behavior | 5th/6th Semester | Semi-Elective |
| Profile Seminar Regional Innovation Systems and Innovation Politics | 5th/6th Semester | Semi-Elective |
| Specialized Seminar on Applied Economic Policy | 4th Semester | Semi-Elective |
| Profile Seminar Public Finance | 6th Semester | Semi-Elective |
| Profile Seminar on Antitrust Law and Economics | 6th Semester | Semi-Elective |
Note: At least one seminar must be selected.
When selecting your modules, there are two strategies to consider: focusing on a specific area or developing broader skills. In principle, many other module combinations are possible, allowing you to tailor your personal profile to your own interests.
The economic and legal training in this specialization equips you, on the one hand, to conduct academic research and analyze markets. On the other hand, as a graduate, you will be able to use this knowledge to develop recommendations for action and decision-making proposals for public and private-sector organizations.
Some typical career paths:
Employers include, for example:
Helpful skills:
The CareerCenter offers you support with career orientation and starting your career. You can also get personalized advice here on choosing your major and discuss your potential career paths. The F.I.T. program also offers courses to help you make these decisions.
After completing your bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics with a specialization in Competition, Market Failure and Government the following Hohenheim degree programs are particularly recommended:
You are also very well prepared for the following degree programs:
A master’s degree qualifies you for academic work at universities and research institutes.
