Business Economics

• Name of study programme: Business Economics
• Field of education/science: Social sciences and humanities
• Scientific area: Economic science
• Type of studies: Basic applied studies / First degree studies
• Title of qualification awarded: Bachelor of Economics (applied)
• Length of studies: three years / six semesters

Study programme objectives

The objectives of the Business Economics study programme are in line with the chief postulates of the Bologna Declaration as well as with the Law on Higher Education (appropriate selection of programme contents, mentoring approach, customization of programme contents to market demands, etc.), and they also take into account the basic characteristics of applied studies, whose main feature is the practical orientation of study programmes.

The program reflects all the current trends in the development of higher education in Serbia, as well as the basic goals of VIPOS regarding innovation and improvement of the content and manner of teaching, cooperation with companies and educational structures, and the tendency towards enhancing the practical side, effectiveness and efficiency of studying.

The objectives of the study programme are focused on acquiring competencies and academic skills for performing a variety of high-level business competencies in the field of business economics, in accordance with contemporary trends in operating procedures of companies, banks and insurance companies as well as institutions and companies in the public sector, agro sector and the tourism sector. The student should be enabled to recognize, formulate and respond to problems in the domain of companies’ and institutions’ business.

Students specializing in the Finance, Banking and Insurance will acquire professional and practical skills necessary for: application of financial analysis and corporate governance, implementation of credit policy methodology, acquisition and investment of financial assets at the company level, application of modern methods and techniques used in implementation procedures of banks and insurance companies. They will also acquire skills of risk management in companies, banks and insurance companies.

The objectives of the Marketing, Trade and Tourism specialization are the development of competencies and specific practical skills for empirical analysis of consumer demand, organization of marketing activities in domestic and foreign markets, implementation of business communication tools, application of marketing concept in services, particularly in trade and tourism, implementation of logistics principles of business and the adoption of critical and analytical abilities for marketing decision-making.

Students specializing in the Accounting, Auditing and Taxes will acquire specific practical knowledge and skills related to: accounting monitoring of business activities, accounting analysis and information, international accounting regulations, audit standards, materiality and audit risks, and taxation in the private and public sectors.

The objectives of the Agricultural Economics and Rural Development specialization are the development of skills and practical knowledge related to organization and management of plant and animal production, the food industry and the agricultural input industry, risk management in agricultural and agro-industrial companies, cooperatives and family farms, as well the knowledge of methods applied in calculating costs and economic indicators of business, making calculations in agricultural production and agro-industry, and performing advisory services in the field of agricultural economics and rural development.

A variety of methods are used in teaching in order to achieve the set objectives: ex-cathedra lectures, case studies, preparation and presentation of research, project and seminar papers, discussions and workshops, simulations, role plays, etc.

Upon completion of the study programme, the Business Economics graduate will have acquired the following general skills:

• analysis, synthesis and forecasting of solutions and consequences;
• application of research methods, procedures and processes in the business economics;
• critical and self-critical thinking and approach;
• application of knowledge in practice;
• the use of information and communication technologies in the field of business economics;
• foreign language skills;
• communication and negotiation skills, recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of their own communication style and making efforts to improve it;
• team-working skills;
• recognition of ethical business conduct principles.

Upon completion of the study programme, depending on the selected specialization, the graduate will have acquired the course-specific skills.

Finance, Banking and Insurance specialization (FBI)

The graduate will be able to:

• independently run medium-sized projects and perform tasks in the processes of financing the economy and citizens, placement of insurance products and investments in insurance companies, financial analysis and trading in particular segments of the financial market;
• differentiate, apply and analyze the most frequently used instruments and mechanisms for managing corporate finances; assess effectiveness and eligibility of investment projects, operations of banks, insurance companies and financial markets;
• plan, assess risks and make an optimal choice of alternatives in application of financial instruments in insurance, banking, stock exchange operations and company financing;
• create an appropriate approach to management of a bank branch, an insurance company or other financial institution.

Marketing, Trade and Tourism specialization (MTT)

The graduate will be able to:

• define, organize, realize and use the results of market research;
• create marketing plans and organize marketing activities in the company;
• design and implement the communication strategy of an economic/non-commercial entity;
• plan and organize foreign trade operations, procurement, sales and logistics activities;
• implement specific marketing strategies in the management of services, especially in the field of tourism;
• apply marketing principles in order to organize the cooperation of the indirect and direct participants in tourism industry.

Accounting, Auditing and Taxes specialization (AAT)

The graduate will be able to:

• keep business records and prepares financial statements of companies, entrepreneurs, budget and other users;
• carry out audit procedures, tax control and consulting activities;
• apply accounting and tax regulations and choose optimal solutions;
• electronically submit financial statements;
• perform the duties of an authorized appraiser, a court expert and a bankruptcy administrator;
• depending on their sense of entrepreneurship and initiative, establish their own businesses in this field, such as accounting agencies, tax agencies, etc.

Agricultural Economics and Rural Development specialization (AERD)

The graduate will be able to:

• apply basic concepts of agricultural economics and professions related to it;
• recognize the difference between macroeconomic and microeconomic phenomena and structural problems of the agriculture and rural sectors, as well as to analyze and interpret them both in writing and verbally;
• manage, plan, project and provide consulting services at the level of agricultural holdings, companies and agricultural cooperatives, as well as business systems of agriculture and food industry;
• interpret concepts, categories, methods and procedures in the field of costs and calculations, accounting, finance and foreign trade business, and evaluate financial performance of the agriculture and food industry.

Distribution of courses throughout semesters and years of study: