Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Regular program length: 6 semester (full-time program)
Credit points (ECTS): 180 credit points
Language of instruction: German and English
Higher semester: yes
Higher semester: winter and summer term
First semester: July 15
Higher semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term
First semester: July 15
Higher semester: July 15 for winter term, January 15 for summer term
Program details
What is it all about?
In the bachelor's degree program in Digital Economics, you will deal with topics at the interface of economics, computer science and social science disciplines such as sociology, philosophy and law. From a decidedly interdisciplinary perspective, you will focus on the transformation processes in the economy and society associated with advancing digitalization and examine their effects on competition policy, macroeconomics and social policy.
Program structure
During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.
In addition to the eponymous subject Digital Economics, the curriculum of the degree program includes the subjects Economics, Business Administration, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics & Econometrics, Operations Research (OR) and Social Sciences.
The compulsory program that you complete in this range of subjects, especially in the first semesters (but sometimes also in semesters 4 and 5), includes the modules
- Digital Economics: Introduction to Digital Economics (6 CP), Digital Economics (9 CP), Digital Financial Economics (9 CP)
- Economics: Introduction to Economics (10 CP)
- Business Administration: Management & Marketing (5 CP), Financing and Business Informatics (5 CP)
- Computer Science: Introduction to Programming (5 CP), Fundamentals of Computer Science 1 (5 CP), Applied Computer Science and AI (9 CP)
- Mathematics: Mathematics 1 (8 CP), Mathematics 2 (8 CP)
- Statistics & Econometrics: Introduction to Statistics (10 CP), Introduction to Econometrics (5 CP)
- Operations Research: Introduction to OR (5 CP)
- Social Sciences: Legal Aspects of Digitalization (9 CP), Digitalization and Society (9 CP)
You take a first elective module worth 9 CP in the third and fourth semesters of economics. Here, for example, you can opt for further microeconomic or macroeconomic content, for further specializations in statistics and econometrics or for economic policy or economic theory.
From semester 4, there is also a separate compulsory elective area worth 42 CP, in which you can choose between
- a further three elective modules (9 CP each) from economics, business administration, OR (max. two each), computer science, statistics (max. one each) and social sciences
- one seminar module (2 x 3 CP) and
- a team project (9 CP) on the subject of business and technology
At the end of your bachelor's degree, you will complete a bachelor's thesis (12 CP). You can find out more about this below.
You can find more information on the structure and content of the program in the module handbook.
Internship
There is no compulsory internship on the bachelor's degree program in Digital Economics. However, you can complete a voluntary internship during your studies, as long as it is related to your program content. If the internship covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester of leave at the Students Office. To do so, you will need confirmation from the examinations office of the KIT Deparment of Economics and Management that the internship is in line with your study objectives, as well as proof such as an internship contract or a note from the company.
Stays abroad
In the bachelor's degree program in Digital Economics, you have the opportunity to gain valuable international experience, for example by studying abroad, where you can study at a partner university for one or two semesters without tuition fees and earn credits that can be recognized when you return to KIT.
The International Relations Office (IRO) of the KIT Department of Economics and Management will inform you about existing programmes such as Erasmus+, EPICUR and Eucor, about the department's own direct cooperations as well as the overseas exchange programmes and will support you in planning and organizing your project abroad, even if you are planning a semester abroad as a freemover or if you would prefer to complete an internship abroad.
Another important point of contact if you are planning a stay abroad is the International Students Office of KIT, which offers further programs centrally for all KIT students.
Bachelor's thesis
At the end of your studies, you will complete a bachelor's thesis in which you demonstrate that you can independently work on an economic problem in the field of digital economics using scientific methods. The bachelor's thesis is worth 12 CP. It can be written in German or English. The maximum processing time is six months; in justified cases, an extension of up to one month is possible.
In addition to the written work on the topic, a presentation can be agreed upon as an obligatory and grade-relevant part of the thesis. Depending on the agreement, this can take place before submission or after submission on an agreed date.
The thesis is assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom must be a professor at the KIT Department of Economics and Management.
Career prospects
With a bachelor's degree in Digital Economics, a career in working as a specialist or manager in all areas of public administration, in non-government organizations or in all areas of the private sector affected by digitalization is only one the many posibilities. You also have the opportunity to work in consulting or in start-ups. Or you can opt for an academic career, the next stage of which leads to the research-oriented master's degree in Digital Economics or in a related degree program.
Characteristic features of the degree program
Characteristic features of Digital Economics B.Sc. at KIT
- newly designed, interdisciplinary degree program
- first university degree program of its kind in Germany
- modern and innovative study concept at the interface of economics and computer science
- high proportion of computer science
- individual curriculum design and focus through extensive elective options from semester 3 onwards
- promotion of soft skills through tutoring models, seminars and a team project
- high practical relevance through case studies, current applications and the team project
- connection to the KIT Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (philosophy, sociology)
- department-internal International Relations Office to support stays abroad
- partner network with companies for company contacts and internships during your studies
- bridge courses and semester-accompanying courses at the MINT-Kolleg
- support for start-ups through the KIT-Gründerschmiede
What KIT has to offer
- central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
- orientation week before the start of lectures
- 24-hour library offering single and group working places
- wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
- numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
- study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
- excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
- comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
- extensive support for career entry and self-employment
- Lernraum app
- internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
- modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
- diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
- stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
Admission and language requirements
Higher education entrance qualification (HZB)
Germans and persons of equal status to Germans (i.e. EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification) are entitled to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:
- General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
- (relevant) subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (not Fachhochschulreife)
- Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
- recognized advanced vocational training (e.g. master craftsperson) or vocational training, professional experience and aptitude test for those with professional qualifications
For further options, see §58 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act).
Please note: German nationals with a foreign school-leaving qualification must have the relevant "Regierungspräsidium" (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.
For non-EU/EEA nationals with a foreign school-leaving certificate (hereinafter also referred to simply as non-EU/EEA nationals), the school-leaving certificate from some countries is recognized as a direct university entrance qualification in Germany. In many cases, however, in addition to the school-leaving certificate, a university entrance examination and/or a successful year of study in the home country and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung" must be proven with valid documents in order to be allowed to study a bachelor's degree in Germany. You can find the country-specific regulations in the DAAD admissions database or on the Anabin website (in German only) of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education). Further information is available from the International Students Office.
Language requirements and certificates
For the bachelor's degree program in Digital Economics, you need sufficient knowledge of German and English. Your knowledge of German must be at least level C1 and your knowledge of English at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Proof of sufficient German language skills
Your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) is sufficient proof of your German language skills,
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if you obtained it at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
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if you are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
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if you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country on the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.
A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany).
If you did not obtain your higher education entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution, you must provide a separate language certificate - regardless of your nationality. Only the following are accepted
- the passed „Prüfungsteil Deutsch“ of the Feststellungsprüfung,
- the passed DSH with the overall result DSH-2,
- the passed TestDaF level 4 in all four parts of the exam (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, oral expression) or
- a comparable, recognized certificate of sufficient German language skills.
To find out which other recognized certificates can be accepted as comparable by KIT, please contact
- as a German or German-equivalent applicant: Studierendenservice
- as an applicant with non-EU citizenship: International Students Office
Proof of sufficient English language skills
The following is sufficient proof of your English language skills
- your Abitur certificate, if you have taken English for at least five years up to graduation and your final or average grade of the last two years of English lessons corresponds to at least the German grade 4 (sufficient) or at least 5 points or
- a degree from a university with English as the sole language of instruction and examination, whereby English must be the only and official language of the completed degree program in the Diploma Supplement, the Transcript of Records or the degree certificate
Otherwise, only the internationally recognized English tests listed in the KIT admission and enrollment regulations are accepted as proof. These are
- Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) with at least 90 points in the internet-based test or
- IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5 and no section below 5.5 or
- University of Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or
- University of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) or
- UNIcert at least level II
Please note:
Language certificates are extremely important application documents that can prevent your enrollment if you do not submit them on time. Therefore, check early on in the application process whether you have the necessary language certificates for your degree program and, if necessary, plan to take one of the language tests mentioned above. The deadline by which you must submit language certificates corresponds to the enrollment deadline stated in your admission offer. In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of this deadline. The extension can be granted until the start of the lecture period at the latest.
Additional necessary requirements for enrollment
For Germans and those with German equivalent status, an additional necessary requirement for enrollment is proof of participation in a study orientation test (e.g. www.was-studiere-ich.de) or a study orientation consultation in accordance with §7 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act), e.g. by the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of KIT. Non-EU/EEA nationals do not have to provide this proof.
Selection procedure
Selection procedure for German and German-equivalent applicants
There are 40 study places available. After deducting the preliminary quotas for hardship cases (5%), foreigners (10%) and second degree applicants (2%), 10% of the study places are allocated to the applicants with the longest waiting time. 90% of study places are allocated via a selection procedure.
The selection procedure is mainly based on your academic performance. On the basis of these and so-called other achievements, a ranking list is made according to points:
- sum of the points in the Abitur certificate divided by 56 or 60
max. 15 points
- arithmetic mean (sum of all points divided by the number of courses) of the upper school courses:
- German (weighting 1)
- Mathematics (weighting 2-fold)
- top-graded, continued (modern) foreign language (weighting 1)
max. 15 points - other achievements (completed relevant vocational training, relevant professional practice, special training, practical activities, extracurricular achievements and qualifications)
max. 15 points
value 1 + value 2 + value 3 = max. 45 points in total
Detailed information on the selection procedure can be found in the statutes for the university's own selection procedure for the degree program.
The results of the selection procedures of previous years can be found in the "Zulassungsergebnisse" brochure ( only available in German).
Selection procedure for applicants from non-EU/EEA countries
Please note that a different selection procedure applies for third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA). This selection procedure is based on the higher education entrance qualification. The higher education entrance qualification can be based on academic achievements in school, any previous academic achievements at universities and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung".
Application portal
Application for the 1st semester
has passed
Application for a higher semester
has passed
Prepare for your studies
- all year round Information events of the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) on your desired degree programs, application and admission as well as starting your studies
- Try out KIT - clarify your interests and support your study decision by taking advantage of the diverse summer offers or participating in taster lectures.
- Campus Day: experience the campus live (together with your family) in spring and make your first personal contacts with the departments and their students
- Studieninformationtag: visit KIT on the state-wide study information day in November and experience the lecture hall feeling for the first time
- topMINT: you don't know yet what you want to study and need to bridge the summer? Take advantage of our orientation semester before you start your studies.
- Use our central online portal studienstart.kit.edu with all the important information and services you need to prepare for your studies and your first semester at KIT. Be it preparatory courses, study-related courses or mentoring programs.
- Orientation phase before the start of lectures - from students for students to get to know KIT, your fellow students and your student council. You will receive specific information on this when you enrol.
- You will be welcomed by KIT with a colorful supporting program at the welcome event for first semester students. You will receive the invitation after your enrollment.
Contacts
Student advisor
Student advisory services (ZSB)
+49 721 608 - 44930
Carmen Reck ∂does-not-exist.kit edu
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Zentrale Studienberatung (ZSB)
Engelbert-Arnold-Str. 2
76131 Karlsruhe
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Studierendenservice
Kaiserstr. 12
76131 Karlsruhe
First point of contact for international applicants
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
International Students Office (IStO)
Adenauerring 2
76131 Karlsruhe
Printed matter
Module handbook
Titel | Download |
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Module handbook Digital Economics Bachelor | PDF (German) |
Public view Digital Economics Bachelor in the Campus Management System | Link (German) Link (English) |
Statutes and regulations
Titel | Stand | Download |
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2023 KIT 050 Satzung für das hochschuleigene Auswahlverfahren im Bachelorstudiengang Digital Economics am Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) | 10.05.2023, veröffentlicht 10.05.2023 |
Titel | Stand | Download |
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2025 KIT 012 Satzung zur Änderung der Studien- und Prüfungsordnungen des Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) aufgrund der Neugestaltung der Abschlussdokumente | 26.02.2025, veröffentlicht 27.02.2025 | |
2023 KIT 047 Studien- und Prüfungsordnung des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT) für den Bachelorstudiengang Digital Economics | 04.05.2023, veröffentlicht 04.05.2023 |
Teaching calendar and course catalog
ST 2025
04-22-2025 to 08-02-2025
WT 2025/26
10-27-2025 to 02-21-2026
ST 2026
04-20-2026 to 08-01-2026
WT 2026/27
10-26-2026 to 02-20-2027
ST 2027
04-19-2027 to 07-31-2027
WT 2027/28
10-25-2027 to 02-19-2028
ST 2028
04-18-2028 to 07-29-2028
Lectures will not take place:
- from 12-24 to 01-06
- the week after Pentecost
- on all public holidays in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg