This programme delivers a rigorous, wide-ranging and critical grounding in theoretical and applied economics, with strong emphasis on statistics and econometrics. Through advanced coursework and empirical training, you will develop the ability to understand, discuss and interpret the core concepts and methodological tools used in economic and econometric research.
The course aims to make you an independent, analytic thinker who can evaluate research methods, tackle complex economic problems, and design and carry out sophisticated empirical investigations. Graduates leave with a critical appreciation of the scientific concepts and methods they have learned, preparing them for analytically demanding professional roles or further academic research such as doctoral studies.
Requirements
Overview This master’s curriculum is built around a strongly quantitative core and allows focused specialisation before a research-based master’s thesis. The degree is structured into five parts combining compulsory core work in economics, statistics and econometrics with elective specialisations in both economic fields and applied empirical methods. Core courses are concentrated in the first three semesters; the final (fourth) semester is reserved for the master’s thesis.
Key modules Core economics modules (compulsory) include Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics and Economic Dynamics. The econometrics core covers Econometric Methods, Time Series Econometrics and Bayesian Econometrics. Core statistics modules comprise Probability Calculus, Inferential Statistics and Nonparametric Statistics. Together these provide the mathematical, theoretical and inferential foundations required for rigorous empirical work.
Specialisation and thesis During semesters two and three students choose specialisation courses from two tracks. Economics-oriented options (12 ECTS) include Applied Microeconomics, Macroeconomics & Growth, Financial Economics, International Economics, Spatial Economics, Public Economics and Environmental & Resource Economics. Quantitative/applied empirical options (18 ECTS) include choices such as Panel Econometrics, Microeconometrics, Univariate and Multivariate Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Macroeconometrics, Multivariate Methods, Data Mining, Statistical Computing, Labour Econometrics, Spatial Econometrics, Econometrics and Statistics for Financial Markets, Advanced Time Series Analysis, Applied Business Cycle Analysis and Forecasting, and Portfolio Analysis. The final semester is dedicated to completing a 30‑ECTS master’s thesis. A broad catalogue of specialised courses is offered regularly, with many modules linked to research at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, giving hands-on exposure to current economic research questions.
Learning outcomes Graduates will be able to: apply advanced micro- and macro-theory and dynamic models; implement and interpret a wide range of econometric and statistical techniques (including Bayesian approaches, panel and time-series methods, and nonparametric tools); design and execute empirical research using modern data-mining and computational methods; and carry out independent, thesis-level research on policy-relevant and applied economic topics.
Degree requirements (concise)
This master's programme requires a completed bachelor's degree or an equivalent university degree (minimum overall grade 2.5 or equivalent). Your prior degree should have a standard programme length of at least three years and correspond to 180 ECTS credit points (or an equivalent credit/credit-hour system).
Within those 180 ECTS, the programme expects a specified background in both economics and quantitative methods. You must be able to document the required subject-specific credits using an official module manual or authorised module descriptions (these may be submitted as a link). The programme website also offers an optional entry-level self-test and a list of recommended reading to help you assess and refresh the knowledge expected for the master’s — see the admission pages below for details.
Notes for international applicants: prepare certified copies and translations of transcripts and module descriptions if they are not already in German or English, and verify how your home institution’s credit/grade system converts to ECTS and the grade scale used here.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 January 2027
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
1 August 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
1 February 2027
Graduates leave with advanced quantitative and empirical skills that are in demand in academic research, doctoral programmes, international organisations, public policy institutions, central banks, and the private sector (e.g. consulting, finance and data analytics). The combination of theory, econometrics and applied methods enables alumni to design and implement empirical studies, advise on data-driven policy or business decisions, and pursue research careers.
The programme also provides a solid foundation for students wishing to continue into PhD programmes in economics or related quantitative social sciences.