Profile area

Competition, market failure and the state

Scientific issues in the profile area deal with, among other things, the functioning of markets, the possible occurrence of market failure and political instruments to counteract it. Topics from the fields of industrial economics, household, consumer, family and health economics, finance, foreign trade as well as monetary and international macroeconomics are applied.

Course content

Market analysis and regulation

What is it about? In this profile area, you will learn concepts for analyzing the functioning of markets and market failures. You will also learn about the impact and optimal choice of fiscal, competition and innovation policy instruments for regulating markets. This combines economic and legal perspectives. In addition, national and international health economics topics are examined and discussed.

What is being researched? The research diversity of the chairs involved in the profile area is very high. For example, you ask yourself what trade and welfare effects arise from international trade agreements, what influence taxes and social security contributions have on the behavior of individuals and companies, you observe innovations and their effects in sub-areas of the bioeconomy or robotics, you analyze whether price-setting algorithms change structural market conditions and whether this poses a threat to competition, you investigate the German care market, as well as socio-economic determinants of obesity or you explore how subjective well-being develops with age and how this is influenced by lifestyles.

Why should you choose this profile area? In this profile area, you will learn in-depth analysis of competition issues from an economic and legal perspective. You will also have the opportunity to acquire broad-based skills in various areas such as industrial, health, consumer or innovation economics as well as in the field of finance.

You want to know more?

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Sensible module combinations

There are two strategies for choosing your modules: Focusing on one area or developing broader skills. In principle, many other module combinations are possible so that you can design your personal profile according to your own interests.

Focusing

Antitrust law in combination with the basics of industrial economics
Household and consumer economics in combination with Health economics
Fundamentals of industrial economics in combination with Industrial economics

Building broader competencies

Financial Taxation parallel to European Innovation Systems and Innovation Policy and Household and Consumer Economics
Fundamentals of industrial economics parallel to European law and international trade

Please note: The modules Fundamentals of Industrial Economics and Industrial Economics will be canceled in summer semester 2024. Whether and if so, what alternatives there will be, is currently still being planned.

Please note: The module European Law is offered under reserve of the lecturer.

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Research practice

Research practice is not only worthwhile for your final thesis, but from the very first day of your studies, through your first internship and into your professional life.
You will learn the „Future Skills“ that matter: the ability to categorize and understand large amounts of information, asking and answering relevant questions about current topics, gaining knowledge about future topics together with researchers at the university and to take treasures of knowledge with you into your career.
That's why we offer you the opportunity during the introductory week in the first semester, to get to know scientific work on current topics through research at „Forschung schnuppern“.
You have further interesting opportunities with „Forschung leichtgemacht!“ in the second semester,
„Humboldt reloaded“ in the third semester and within your profile modules and the research practice module fReserom the fourth semester onwards.
You can have our offers and an internship credited as coursework in the free elective area.

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Research practice

Research practice is not only worthwhile for your final thesis, but from the very first day of your studies, through your first internship and into your professional life.
You will learn the „Future Skills“ that matter: the ability to categorize and understand large amounts of information, asking and answering relevant questions about current topics, gaining knowledge about future topics together with researchers at the university and to take treasures of knowledge with you into your career.
That's why we offer you the opportunity during the introductory week in the first semester, to get to know scientific work on current topics through research at „Forschung schnuppern“.
You have further interesting opportunities with „Forschung leichtgemacht!“ in the second semester,
„Humboldt reloaded“ in the third semester and within your profile modules and the research practice module from the fourth semester onwards.
You can have our offers and an internship credited as coursework in the free elective area.

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Further Master's programs

Following your Bachelor's degree in Economics with a profile area of Competition, Market Failure and the State, the following Hohenheim degree programs are particularly recommended:

Master Economics
Double Master Economics with Liège or Pavia
Master International Business and Economics (IBE)
Double Master IBE with Liège or Venice or Pavia or Varese

But you are also very well prepared for the following degree programs:

Hohenheim Master Management (HMM) in particular with a focus on Health Care & Public Management
Study programs with a focus on Law and Economics

A Master's degree qualifies you for scientific work at universities and research institutes.

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Career perspectives

The economic and legal training in the profile area enables you to scientifically research and analyze markets. On the other hand, as a graduate you will be able to derive recommendations for action and decision-making templates for public and private sector organizations.

Some typical occupational fields:

Expert in specialist departments (“Referent:in”)
Economic policy consulting and management consulting
Social and economic research

Employers are for example:

Multinational companies (esp. energy & telecommunications)
Consulting companies
Research institutions
Public administration
Competition control institutions (ministries, Federal Cartel Office, Federal Network Agency, European Commission)

Helpful competences:

Scientific research
Prepare legal and economic recommendations
Understanding political interdependencies
Present and defend work results

The CareerCenter offers you support with career orientation and career entry. You can also get individual advice here on your choice of profile area and talk about your possible career paths. The F.I.T. program also offers courses to support you in your decision-making process.

More about the Career Center