Double degree

Two degrees, two years, two top universities

With this Double Degree programme, you get the opportunity to acquire a

  • Master of Science in Business Economics from the University of Antwerp;
  • Master in Economics from Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB).

So not only do you obtain two degrees in two years' time at two top-quality Belgian universities, you also 

  • benefit from different teaching styles;
  • gain a strong quantitative and economic basis;
  • get the chance to do a full semester of internship;

  • develop and practice your leadership skills with professional coaches.

In short, a double degree is the ideal stepping stone, as employers favor graduates who are open-minded, used to working in multicultural teams and not afraid to face global challenges head-on.

Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management (ULB)

Since its foundation in 1903, the Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management is a leading European research and education facility, winning 4 Nobel prizes out of the 6 that were awarded to Belgian scientists. As a multicultural university with over one third of foreign students, researchers and professors, the Université libre de Bruxelles is committed to its international position. 

The Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is ranked in the QS World University Rankings and Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management (as part of the Université libre de Bruxelles), is included in the Financial Times European Business Schools ranking. The school is also accredited by EQUIS and AMBA.

Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management, Université libre de Bruxelles

Find out more about the university

Curriculum 2025-2026

The programme consists of 2 main parts:

  1. You start following courses at ULB in the first year with one course (Business Research methods, 3 ECTS credits) remotely followed at UAntwerp.
  2. Then you transfer to UAntwerp where you take part in the Master of Science in Business Economics During the final part, you write a Master's thesis (18 ECTS credits), that will be supervised in one university and assessed by the other. 

Part 1 (60 ECTS)

Course
University
Semester
ECTS
Applied econometrics
ULB
1
5
Advanced microeconomics
ULB
1
5
Strategy and strategic analysis
ULB
1
5
European regulation and business environment
ULB
1
5
Advanced corporate finance
ULB
1
5
Game theory with applications to economics
ULB
1
5
Research methods in business economics
UAntwerp
1
3
Master's thesis (preparation) 
ULB
1+2
2
Internship
ULB
2
25

Part 2 (60 ECTS)

Mandatory courses (24 ECTS)
Python for Machine Learning
UAntwerp
1
6
Master's thesis
UAntwerp + ULB

18
Choose 6 ECTS out of: 
International consulting project
UAntwerp
1+2
3
Leadership development
UAntwerp
1+2
3
International consulting bootcamp GOA
UAntwerp
1
6
Choose one of the following 7 majors (18 ECTS):
1. Accounting (two compulsory courses, then choose 6 ECTS out of the electives)



Auditing (compulsory)
UAntwerp
1
 6
International financial reporting standards (compulsory)
UAntwerp
2
6
Financial analysis and business valuation (elective)
UAntwerp
1
6
Accounting ethics (elective)
UAntwerp
2
6
2. Finance (choose 18 ECTS)



Banking
UAntwerp
1
6
Corporate finance and governance
UAntwerp
1
6
Fnancial risk management
UAntwerp
1
6
Entrepreneurial finance
UAntwerp
2
6
Indusrance: Financial and actuarial methods
UAntwerp
2
6
3. Digital organisation (two compulsory courses, then choose 6 ECTS out of the electives)


Digital strategy & governance (compulsory) 
UAntwerp
1
6
Digital risk and security (compulsory)
UAntwerp
2
6
Digital innovation (elective)
UAntwerp
1
6
Digital auditing (elective)
UAntwerp
2
6
4. Marketing (choose 18 ECTS)


Consumer behaviour
UAntwerp
2
6
Omnichannel & digital marketing
UAntwerp
1
6
Services marketing 
UAntwerp
2
6
Marketing communications 
UAntwerp
1
6
5. Organisation, strategy and international business (choose 18 ECTS)


Organisational development and change management
UAntwerp
1
6
Innovation management and business modeling 
UAntwerp
1
6
The entrepreneur and their international environment
UAntwerp
16
Strategy, structure and management of the multinational enterprise
UAntwerp
26
Organisation theory and design
UAntwerp
2
6
Business in the European Union
UAntwerp
26
6. Transport and Logistics (choose 18 ECTS)


Transport mideling
UAntwerp
1
3
Maritime and port economics
UAntwerp
2
6
Challenges in mobility
UAntwerp
2
3
Transport and location
UAntwerp
23
Logistics and distribution management
UAntwerp
2
3
Transport innovation, digitalisation and entrepreneurship
UAntwerp
1
6
7. Innovation management and entrepreneurship (choose 18 ECTS)



Digital innovation
UAntwerp
1
6
Innovation management and business modeling
UAntwerp
1
6
The entrepreneur and their international environment
UAntwerp
1
6
Transport innovation, digitalisation and entrepreneurship
UAntwerp
1
6
Product innovation in marketing 
UAntwerp
1
3
Current issues in international business
UAntwerp
2
3
Entrepreneurial finance
UAntwerp
2
6
Strategische professionele communicatie (Dutch)
UAntwerp
1
3
Choose 12 ECTS among the following courses
All courses from Majors not taken up previously



Applied welfare economics
​UAntwerp
1
6
Labour economics
UAntwerp
1
6
Monetary economics
UAntwerp
2
6
Industrial organisation
UAntwerp
2
6
Public finance
UAntwerp
2
6
Financial intermediation and regulation
UAntwerp
1
6
Macroeconomic policy
UAntwerp
1
6
Data engineering
UAntwerp
2
6
Current topics in data science and artificial
intelligence
UAntwerp
2
3
Data science and ethics
UAntwerp
1
3
Deep learning in business
UAntwerp
2
3
Maritieme en haveneconomie (Dutch)
UAntwerp
1+2
6


Entry requirements

Students are selected based on academic merit, past work and extracurricular experiences, as well as a demonstration of strong motivation. A maximum of 20 students in total will be selected (5 from ULB, 5 from UAntwerp and 10 students from other universities).

The following students are eligible:

  1. From UAntwerp: bachelor in de Toegepaste Economische Wetenschappen: Bedrijfskunde (BSc in Business Economics) and bachelor in de Toegepaste Economische Wetenschappen: Economisch Beleid (BSc in Applied Economic Sciences: Economic Policy). Students who have obtained or will obtain a bachelor Sociaal-economische wetenschappen (Social-Economic Sciences) will be granted access tot the master in Business Economics, provided that they have selected the major "Business Economics" in their bachelor. Student with a bachelor degree in Handelsingenieur (Business Engineering) and Handelsingenieur in de Beleidsinformatica (Business Engineering: Digital Business Engineering) with an interest to specialize in business economics in their masters can also apply.
  2. From ULB: bachelor in Economics.
  3. From other institutions: students with an academic bachelor's degree in Economics or Business Economics, a master's degree in Business Administration or an equivalent degree. Eligibility of the degree is determined by the selection committee.

To be admitted, you need to fulfil the admission requirements of both partner universities.

  • For UAntwerp: according to the admission requirements on the website.
  • For ULB: according to the admission requirements as indicated in the Master Education and Examination Regulations

Application procedure

The application procedure consist of the following four steps. We strongly advise you to start the process well in advance, particularly with regard to English proficiency requirements.

  1. Prepare all required documents in a single file (zip or pdf) before the application deadline (*further explanation below).
    • Diplomas from previous studies
    • Transcripts from previous studies
    • Course descriptions (if applicable)
    • Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)
    • Applicant CV
    • Application motivation letter
    • Copy of valid ID
    • GMAT / GRE test result (if applicable)
  2. Send all the application documents in a single email to doubledegree.fbe@uantwerpen.be.
    You will receive an automatic reply confirming that your application has been received. Questions with regard to application documents and deadlines can also be directed to this email address.
    Applications sent after the deadline will automatically be considered as ineligible. If your application file is incomplete, your application will also be considered as ineligible. 
  3. Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the admission board.
    If successful, you will contacted by the admission board to confirm your interest. If you are on the waiting list, you can still be admitted if other applicants decline to confirm their interest, then you can expect to have a final decision on 25th of April.
  4. Finalise your enrolment in both institutions following local rules and requirements
    Your first academic year will be in Brussels, your second in Antwerp. 

*All required documents

  • Diplomas from previous studies: A (scanned) color copy of the official diploma of each academic degree obtained. Accepted languages include Dutch, English, French or German. If the diploma is in another language than those listed, two versions must be submitted: the original and a certified translation. If you are enrolled in your final bachelor year you should, instead of the degree, submit a copy of an original and signed letter from your college or university confirming that you are expected to complete the program at the end of the current academic year.
  • Transcripts: An official transcript or mark list of the courses from all universities you have attended, for all study years. Transcripts or mark lists may be in Dutch, English, French or German. If the documents are in another language than those listed, two versions must be submitted: the original and a certified translation. Applicants in their final bachelor year submit up-to-date authenticated transcripts with the results of the previous years.
  • Students that have obtained their bachelor outside of the EU should attach (translated) course descriptions in Dutch, English, French or German.
  •  Proof of English proficiency: See requirement for language certificates. Proof of previous studies in English should be signed and stamped by the degree-awarding institution.
  • Applicant CV: a summary of your educational and professional background as well as any other information that might be relevant.
  • Applicant motivation letter (one page at most): state the reasons why you have chosen to apply for the program at this particular time in your studies and/or career. The letter should outline career goals and how graduating from the program would help you toward achieving these. The letter can also highlight formal and personal achievements as well as any relevant experience that you would like to bring to the attention of the admission board.
  • Copy of valid Passport/ID: a scanned copy of your passport or official ID with all relevant information clearly readable. Passports must be valid for the entire duration of the programme.

Deadlines

Applicants must submit their email application by April 1 of the previous academic year at the latest. The selection committee will inform students about their application the latest by April 10. Successful applicants will be asked to confirm their interest no later than April 15

If you fail to confirm your interest in the program before this date, you will lose your reserved spot. You may still be admitted, but only if places are still available.

Tuition fees and scholarships

During your first year, you pay the full tuition fee at ULB. During the second year, you pay the full tuition fee at UAntwerp. You can find all information related to the tuition fees at the respective websites of ULB and UAntwerp.

Financial support

Scholarships

Testimonials

In short, doing a double degree is going to be an amazing experience, and will look great on your resume. But don't just take our word for it. Here's what our students think...

Elisa is currently in her first year at ULB

“I am currently in my second semester, doing a 5-month internship as part of the curriculum. Living in Brussels has been a great experience so far. It is an amazing place to meet people from different backgrounds, attend events organized by the European Union, or be part of one of the many student associations. I, for example, am a member of the Business Student Newsletter, attend lectures given by the Digital Society Association, and play in the student orchestra.”

 “The degree is very challenging, and you shouldn't underestimate the long hours you'll spend in the library during exam season. But, in turn, you will gain a vast understanding of European business regulation, finance, and marketing. In contrast to writing exams, my friends and I also worked together on some group projects. For one course, we had to create a marketing strategy, while for another course, we had to give a presentation on the effects of marijuana legalization.”

 “Studying in two different cities gives me the opportunity to work on my Dutch and French proficiency - which is great for anyone seeking to work in an international workplace afterward. In a couple of months, I will move to Antwerp and am excited to discover yet another city. I can recommend the double degree program to anyone who is motivated to have many new experiences in two awesome cities and who is not afraid to also dive into theoretical economics.”