The Department of Business Economics, one of the earliest departments in its field, imparts applied economics education to over 15,000 students at five locations in The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. The Department was originally with the Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, till it got separated in 1972 as 'The Department of Business Economics' attached with the Faculty of Commerce. It has the distinction of being India's second University Department, specializing in Business Economics.

In the present context of the state of the Indian Economy and its affairs of national governance, it is visualized that in the years to come, all energies must be focused on two crying needs - Revitalization and Growth. Knowledge is fast becoming a free flowing commodity transcending dimensions of time, space, political boundaries and culture. Only those educational systems and programs which are compatible with the global standards will survive and prosper. Accordingly, the curriculum in the department has been framed to provide an in-depth knowledge of Economics with a thrust on its application. The focus is on areas such as Industrial Economics, Managerial Economics, International Trade, Human Resource Development, Quantitative Economics, Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Financial Systems, etc., so as to prepare students to face the challenges of life. Practical inputs such as group discussions, seminars, project work and quiz are included in the curriculum to help students to excel in their future pursuits, be it academic or on-the-job performance.

The department has an impressive faculty of 31 members. In spite of an overwhelming teaching, administrative and other associated commitments; the faculty's prolific research output is reflected in over 35 Ph.Ds, and over 60 publications at national and international levels. Research work is being undertaken in varied fields viz. Industry, Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Fiscal Management, Women Entrepreneurship, Banking, Saving-Investment Behaviour, etc.

Members of the department have participated in academic proceedings at the highest fore of intellectual exchange. This includes the World Economic Conference, World Entrepreneurship Conference and International Conference on Canadian Studies. Several national seminars have been organized by the department. Faculty members are often invited as visiting faculty or guest speakers to institutions within Baroda, in India and abroad. In the past decade, over 50 training programs have been conducted by the department in the areas of H.R.M. and Marketing Management for Industries.

The Department takes pride in its own students association known as the Business Economics Students Association [BECOSA] It is a popular platform for the post-graduate students of Business Economics. This association is involved with academic, cultural and other extra curricular activities.

The Department seeks diversification in the new areas of research and explores the possibilities of introducing self-financed courses in Business Economics. It is also committed to provide modern and most relevant courses of Business Economics studies to the graduate and post-graduate students.