Faculty of Business and Economics

About Faculty of Business and Economics

The Faculty of Business and Economics is an academic division of the University of Antwerp, located in Antwerp, Belgium. As one of the core faculties within the university, it serves as a center for higher education and research in the fields of economics, business administration, and social-economic sciences. The faculty operates primarily from the City Campus, which is situated in the historic center of Antwerp. This location integrates modern educational infrastructure with the existing urban fabric, providing students with access to library facilities, lecture halls, and study spaces designed to support academic inquiry and collaborative learning.

The faculty traces its institutional roots to the historical foundations of higher education in Antwerp, including the former University Faculties St. Ignatius Antwerp (UFSIA), which merged into the University of Antwerp in 2003. Since its formal integration, the faculty has functioned as a constituent part of the public university system in Flanders. It maintains a structured academic environment governed by the regulations of the University of Antwerp, which is a public institution funded by the Flemish government. The faculty adheres to the European Higher Education Area standards, ensuring that its degree programs are aligned with the Bologna Process.

The academic structure of the faculty is organized into several departments, including the Department of Economics, the Department of Engineering Management, and the Department of Management. These departments offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Engineering, Business Economics, and Socio-Economic Sciences. At the master’s level, the faculty provides specialized programs in areas such as Applied Economic Sciences, Business Administration, and Maritime and Air Transport Management. These programs are designed to provide students with technical knowledge in quantitative analysis, financial management, marketing, and strategic policy.

Regarding accreditation and quality assurance, the faculty holds international certifications that verify its adherence to global business education standards. It is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and holds the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation. These institutional memberships and certifications indicate that the faculty’s curriculum, faculty qualifications, and research outputs meet established benchmarks for business and management education. These accreditations are periodically reviewed to ensure continued compliance with international academic and professional standards.

The faculty emphasizes a research-led teaching approach, where academic staff engage in both fundamental and applied research. The research activities are often channeled through various research centers and institutes located within the university, focusing on topics such as innovation and entrepreneurship, behavioral economics, logistics, and sustainability. The faculty publishes its research findings in academic journals and participates in international scholarly networks. Students are often exposed to this research through seminars, thesis supervision, and the integration of current economic data and management theories into the classroom curriculum.

In terms of campus facilities, students at the Faculty of Business and Economics have access to the university’s comprehensive digital and physical resources. This includes the University of Antwerp library system, which provides access to extensive databases, academic journals, and historical archives. The City Campus also contains specialized laboratories for data analysis and experimental economics, as well as student lounges and administrative support offices. The proximity to the city’s business district and the Port of Antwerp provides opportunities for students to engage with practical applications of their studies, such as internships and site visits to major logistics and trade organizations.

The faculty maintains a policy of internationalization, participating in student and staff exchange programs with various universities globally. It offers several programs taught in English, catering to a diverse student body that includes both domestic and international applicants. The academic calendar follows a semester-based system, with assessments occurring at the end of each term. Admission to the degree programs is regulated by the University of Antwerp’s central administration, requiring applicants to meet specific academic prerequisites, such as prior secondary education qualifications or relevant bachelor’s degrees for postgraduate entry.

As a public institution, the Faculty of Business and Economics operates under the broader mission of the University of Antwerp to contribute to society through education and research. It functions as a public service provider, ensuring that its programs are accessible to students who meet the academic criteria. By focusing on the intersection of economics, management, and technology, the faculty prepares graduates for careers in private corporations, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academic research. Its administrative structure, faculty appointments, and curriculum development are subject to the oversight of the university’s board and the Flemish educational authorities, ensuring consistency in academic standards and institutional governance.