Profile area

Empirical economic research

The Empirical Economic Research profile area offers you the opportunity to deal scientifically with current issues in politics and economics. Not only are problems analyzed theoretically, but in particular the empirical methods required to analyze these problems empirically with the help of real data are taught.

Course content

Data-based economy

What is it about? In this profile area, you will learn the core concepts of empirical economic research. You will learn practical methods of data analysis and deepen your knowledge of evidence-based economic analysis. This prepares you in particular for a research-oriented or quantitative Master's degree program.

What is being researched? The Empirical Economic Research profile area uses real data to research current political and economic problems. For example, the background to inequality, the effects of international trade and the benefits of education are investigated.

Why should you choose this profile area? The results of empirical analyses are increasingly becoming the basis for decision-making in business and politics. Due to the digital transformation in the economy and society, ever larger amounts of data are available, so that research-based activities in which large data sets are processed and evaluated are playing an increasingly important role. In the Empirical Economic Research profile area, you will therefore acquire knowledge in the field of empirical research, quantitative methods and computer-aided data analysis - core skills in the modern working world.

You want to know more?

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

Evidence-based economic and social policy: Empirical Strategies in Economics in combination with Public Finance Taxation and International Trade
Economic Development and Innovation: Basics of Innovation Economics in combination with Quantitative Economic History and The Industrial Revolution and the Roots of Modern Growth
Quantitative methods: Empirical Strategies in Economics in combination with Applied Times Series Analysis and Forecasting Techniques and Economic Statistics or Tools for AI and Data Science or Introduction to Financial Data Science

Building broader competencies

Empirical Strategies in Economics parallel to Basics of Innovation Economics and Fiscal science and taxation
Economic Statistics parallel to The Industrial Revolution and the Roots of Modern Growth and International Trade

Please note: The Economic Statistics module may be suspended in winter semester 2025/2026. Whether and if so, what alternative there will be, is currently being planned.

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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 Empirical Economic Research, the following Hohenheim degree programs are particularly recommended:

Master Economics
Double Master Economics with Liège or Pavia

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

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

Hohenheim Master Management (HMM)
Double Master HMM with Liège or Venice

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

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Career perspectives

Modern working life requires the correct handling of ever-increasing amounts of data. Companies and public organizations base their decisions on analyses of internal and external data. As a graduate in this profile area, you are therefore in high demand.

Some typical occupational fields:

Data Analyst
Management Consulting
Economic policy consulting
Social and economic research

Employers are for example:

Companies
Banks and insurance companies
Economic departments of corporations
Public authorities (in particular the Federal Statistical Office) and ministries

Helpful competences:

Experienced handling of data and statistical software
Analytical and structured work, grasping complex relationships
Communication

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

Erfahrungsberichte unserer Alumni

Marius Puke,
Doktorand

"Von den Veranstaltungen im Profilbereich „Empirische Wirtschaftsforschung“ habe ich über meine gesamte Studienzeit hinweg profitiert - empirische Fragestellungen sind in einem modernen Wirtschaftsstudium allgegenwärtig. Zudem bietet der Profilbereich ideale Voraussetzungen um das Programmieren mit Statistik-Softwares zu erlernen."

Simon Zimmermann,
Studierender

"Um erfolgreiche Unternehmen zu bauen braucht man datengetriebene Entscheidungsprozesse. Jeder Student, der anstrebt Unternehmen zu führen, braucht hierfür Werkzeuge jenseits der Excel-Tabellen. Die frühe Spezialisierung in Statistik und Empirischen Anwendungen ist hierfür ein hervorragender Grundstein. Deshalb habe ich den Profilbereich Empirische Wirtschaftsforschung gewählt."

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Lecturers

Prof. Dr. Aderonke Osikominu (Econometrics and Empirical Economic Research)
Prof. Dr. Nadja Dwenger (Economics, in particular Finance)
Prof. Dr. Benjamin Jung (Economics, in particular foreign trade)
Prof. Dr. Jens Vogelgesang (Communication Science, in particular Media and Usage Research)
Prof. Sibylle Lehmann-Hasemeyer, Ph.D. (Economic and Social History with Agricultural History)
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schwalbe (Microeconomics, in particular Industrial Economics)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka (Economics, in particular Innovation Economics)
Prof. Dr. Robert Jung (Econometrics and Economic Statistics)
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Scheurle (Econometrics and Empirical Economic Research)