The Bachelor in Economics, offered with two tracks —“Development Economics and Policies” and “Applied Economics”—builds the competencies needed to assess and guide policymaking in economic development in general, and in agricultural and sustainable rural development in particular. Conceived to provide students with both rigorous theory and hands-on training in applied economics, the program equips graduates with the analytical, policy, and managerial skills required for sustainable economic, rural, and social development.

The program aims to:

 Provide students with the theoretical principles and analytical tools of economics needed to understand market functioning, the behaviour of economic agents, and the role of public policy in shaping economic development.

 Prepare professionals capable of analysing and assessing economic- and rural-development policies, with particular emphasis on the contribution of agriculture, agribusiness, and natural resources to sustainable growth.​

 Develop competencies applicable to managing economic units in rural settings, including economic appraisal, strategic planning, project design, and resource management.

 Foster an integrated understanding of sustainable development by embedding economic, social, and environmental dimensions in policymaking and territorial planning. 

 Build the capacity to monitor, analyse, and contribute to European-integration processes through knowledge of EU policies on rural development, agriculture, innovation, and territorial cohesion. 

 Form practice-oriented economists able to employ economic metrics, applied statistics, econometric models, and digital tools in analysing development sectors and enterprises in rural areas.

Graduates will be able to:

 Critically interpret core economic theories and their implications for development.

 Apply quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse economic phenomena at micro and macro levels. 

 Employ precise academic language and logical argumentation in constructing economic analyses and development policies. 

 Use scientific sources and legal documentation independently and systematically.

For both tracks graduates will be able to:.​

 Assess the economic and social impact of public policies—especially in agriculture, rural development, and natural-resource management. 

 Analyse rural economic structures and recommend measures that enhance efficiency and sustainability. 

 Formulate policy and project proposals that support integrated local development and alignment with EU standards

Additional competencies by track:​

• Interpret development indicators; propose policy interventions to address territorial and social inequalities;

• Analyse the impact of EU funds and policies in the Albanian context.

Applied Economics:

– Apply basic econometric and statistical models across economic sectors;.

– Draft development plans and manage rural economic units.

Graduates will also be able to:

Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams on development projects.  • Use digital tools—data-analysis software, GIS, and economic-assessment platforms—for evaluation and management.  • Prepare and present analyses to institutional decision-makers and local communities.  • Build careers in public institutions, development agencies, international organisations, NGOs, and the private sector (economic consultancy, agribusiness, rural development).

• Përdorë mjete digjitale, përfshirë softuerë për analizë të të dhënave, GIS, ose platforma ekonomike për vlerësim dhe menaxhim.

• Përgatitë dhe paraqesë analiza për vendimmarrësit institucionalë dhe komunitetet lokale.

• Ndërtojë karrierë në institucione shtetërore, agjenci zhvillimi, organizata ndërkombëtare, OJQ, dhe në sektorin privat (këshillim ekonomik, agrobiznes, zhvillim rural).

Graduates may pursue roles such as:

 
-Government agencies and specialised regulatory bodies – policy analyst, budget specialist, economist, data & research associate, assistant to public officials. 

-Consulting firms (management or economic consulting) – economic analyst, financial analyst, strategic consultant. 

-NGOs, think tanks, and research institutes – research assistant, economist, data analyst. 

-International organisations – programme officer, 

​research assistant, junior policy analyst, monitoring & evaluation specialist.research assistant, junior policy analyst, monitoring & evaluation specialist.

The Economics program spans three academic years, each building progressively on theoretical foundations, analytical skills, and practical preparation.

Year 1: Fundamentals of economics, mathematics, and statistics; introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics; interdisciplinary courses from natural and technical sciences.

Year 2: Deeper theoretical study and advanced analytical training; courses that illuminate sector-specific challenges and dynamics; applied economic policy analysis.

Year 3: Students choose between the Development Economics & Policies track and the Applied Economics track, aligning studies with their professional interests. Development Economics & Policies track: In-depth study of development theories and their real-world applications in rural and peri-urban settings, emphasising improvements in disadvantaged areas (courses such as Development Economics, Public Economics, Agrifood Systems, Agricultural Policies).

Applied Economics track: Focus on diverse fields of economics (Institutional Economics, Labour Economics, Behavioural Economics), management (Public Administration, Agribusiness Management, Organisational Behaviour, Agricultural Markets & Price Analysis / Risk Analysis & Decision-Making), and finance (Financial Analysis, Money & Banking, Financial Markets & Institutions).

Guided by the principle of interdisciplinarity, the program integrates analytical methods and tools from multiple disciplines to generate new knowledge and craft real-world solutions to the economic, environmental, social, and technological challenges of a rapidly changing world. Aligned with international standards (Master Curricula), the program integrates knowledge from technology, natural sciences, and economics to provide a comprehensive education that prepares students for complex challenges: 52 % of credits in social sciences, 22 % in natural sciences, and 26 % in technical sciences.

Economics Curriculum