Erasmus School of Economics - Erasmus University Rotterdam

Double Bachelor in Econometrics and Philosophy of Econometrics

In this program, you will get acquainted with the ideas of great thinkers from the past, from Plato to Marx, from Aristotle to Wittgenstein. In courses on modern philosophy fundamental philosophical and scientific questions will be addressed. What is truth? What is knowledge? What is science? Is democracy the best form of government? We also deal with more concrete ethical issues from a philosophical point of view, for instance: does an alcoholic always deserve a liver transplantation?

In addition, you will also focus on the application of mathematical and statistical techniques to answer economic questions. The small-scale teaching approach at Erasmus School of Economics, with tutorial groups of 20 students, allows for individual attention and intensive guidance. During many of the practical assignments, you will work in groups of around four students.

The academic year is divided into five eight-week blocks, in which you follow two courses.

The first year: The basis for econometrics

When choosing the Double Bachelor in Econometrics and Philosophy of Econometrics, the curriculum of the first year consists of courses in mathematics, statistics, economics, and computer programming. You will attend lectures, tutorials, and work groups in which you practice and discuss the material with fellow students. Each course is concluded with an exam.

The second year: Adding introductory philosophy

In addition to the regular econometrics curriculum, you will follow two introductory philosophy courses in the first ten weeks of the academic year. The first course, The Early Enlightenment, runs from week 36 until 39 with exams in week 40. The second course, The Quest for Man I, will be taught from week 41 until 44, with exams in week 45.

The third year: A mixture of both

In the third year, you also follow the regular econometrics curriculum. On top of that, you attend introductory philosophy courses in the first ten weeks of the academic year. The first course, Essential Contemporary Challenges, runs from week 36 until 39, with exams in week 40. The second course, Thought Experiments, will be taught from week 41 until 44, with exams in week 45. You will also follow the courses Philosophy of Science I and II, and Technology and Social Change, which may count as a minor for the Econometrics program as well.

Fourth year: Advanced Philosophy

The fourth year of your Double bachelor's in Econometrics and Philosophy of Econometrics will consist solely of advanced philosophy courses, divided into four blocks per year. Each block runs for 10 weeks and lectures will mainly be given in the evening hours. In total, the fourth year contains 60 credits. The fourth year includes advanced courses on the history of thought, the philosophical aspects of man and culture, and social and political philosophy. You will write your thesis in the course of this final year under the close supervision of a staff member.

Credits: 270 ECTS

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science

Having two bachelor's degrees increases your employability in almost every sector and gives you a head start when searching for a job. Your background in philosophy will provide you with an awareness of the theoretical foundations of your discipline. This allows you to pose relevant questions, come up with innovative solutions, and go a step further than others. Doubling your degree with Philosophy will prove valuable and rewarding on both a personal and professional level.

Philosophy doesn’t train you for a specific job, but this doesn’t mean that philosophy doesn’t lead to any job. In fact, our alumni have ended up as researchers, teachers, civil servants, journalists, or managers in the private sector. What all these jobs have in common is that it is an advantage if you can think critically on a fundamental level. This is where philosophy gives you an edge. The relation between philosophy and a specific discipline allows our students to reflect on their fields of interest and thoroughly grasp the challenges that lay ahead.