From Barter to Bitcoin: Monetary Systems for a Sustainable Future
7.5 credits
Course, Bachelor's level, 2EH302
Expand the information below to show details on how to apply and entry requirements.
Spring 2026 Spring 2026, Uppsala, 50%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 50%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Study period
- 24 March 2026–7 June 2026
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
60 higher education credits
- Selection
-
Higher education credits (maximum 165 credits)
- Fees
- If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 11,250
- Total tuition fee: SEK 11,250
- Application deadline
- 15 October 2025
- Application code
- UU-70002
Admitted or on the waiting list?
- Registration period
- 18 December 2025–1 February 2026
- Information on registration from the department
Spring 2026 Spring 2026, Uppsala, 50%, On-campus, English For exchange students
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 50%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Study period
- 24 March 2026–7 June 2026
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
60 higher education credits
Admitted or on the waiting list?
- Registration period
- 18 December 2025–1 February 2026
- Information on registration from the department
Expand the information below to show details on how to apply and entry requirements.
Autumn 2026 Autumn 2026, Uppsala, 50%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 50%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Study period
- 4 November 2026–17 January 2027
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
60 higher education credits
- Selection
-
Higher education credits (maximum 165 credits)
- Fees
- If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 12,375
- Total tuition fee: SEK 12,375
- Application deadline
- 15 April 2026
- Application code
- UU-20002
Admitted or on the waiting list?
- Registration period
- 24 July 2026–24 August 2026
- Information on registration from the department
Autumn 2026 Autumn 2026, Uppsala, 50%, On-campus, English For exchange students
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 50%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Study period
- 4 November 2026–17 January 2027
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
60 higher education credits
Admitted or on the waiting list?
- Registration period
- 24 July 2026–24 August 2026
- Information on registration from the department
Expand the information below to show details on how to apply and entry requirements.
Spring 2027 Spring 2027, Uppsala, 50%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 50%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Study period
- 25 March 2027–6 June 2027
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
60 higher education credits
- Selection
-
Higher education credits (maximum 165 credits)
- Fees
- If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 12,375
- Total tuition fee: SEK 12,375
- Application deadline
- 15 October 2026
- Application code
- UU-70002
Admitted or on the waiting list?
Spring 2027 Spring 2027, Uppsala, 50%, On-campus, English For exchange students
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 50%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Study period
- 25 March 2027–6 June 2027
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
60 higher education credits
Admitted or on the waiting list?
About the course
The course introduces the topic of monetary systems in theory and in practice. It focuses on how today's international monetary systems have developed historically and, in particular, how today's monetary system may facilitate or impede the transition to a sustainable economy.
The course consists of four broad themes:
- How are 'money' and monetary systems derived theoretically and how do those theoretical ideas correspond to the empirical practice?
- How is money created, who can create money, and what endows money with value and makes money possible to use for transactions (payments) - historically and today?
- What do different kinds of money such as local currencies, national currencies, international currencies, digital currencies, cryptocurrencies, fair coins, stablecoins, complementary currencies (etc.) mean - and how do they relate to each other?
- Why do we have central banks, how do central banks contribute to a sustainable economy (or the contrary) and what may be the effects of increased use of digital currencies, cryptocurrencies and CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies)?