Program overview This two-year, English-language Master of Science trains students to approach economic questions with both analytical precision and creative problem-solving. The degree combines rigorous theoretical and empirical training with a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to tailor your studies to specialised topics in economics or to pursue interdisciplinary interests alongside core economic training.
Structure and specialisation In the first year you follow a solid analytical core with lectures and tutorials in Intermediate Mathematics for Economics and Management, Advanced Empirical Economics, Advanced Microeconomics and Advanced Macroeconomics. Beyond these foundations, a broad selection of specialised courses lets you deepen skills in additional methods and models (empirical economics, microeconomics, macroeconomics) or focus on applied fields such as international trade, labour markets, economic development, education and family economics, finance, governance, competition, the public sector, health, and more. You also have the freedom to design an individual focus area and collect credits through disciplinary or interdisciplinary seminars, internships or language courses.
Thesis and outcomes In the fourth semester you complete a Master’s thesis that demonstrates your capacity to carry out independent academic research in a chosen area of economics. The programme’s quantitative and empirical emphasis makes it well suited for students aiming for advanced analytical roles, further doctoral study, or careers in policy, finance, consulting and international organisations.
Who should apply / key expectations
Curriculum overview
The program begins with a rigorous quantitative and theoretical foundation: students complete lectures and tutorials in Intermediate Mathematics for Economics and Management, Advanced Empirical Economics, Advanced Microeconomics, and Advanced Macroeconomics. These core modules (30 ECTS) equip students with the mathematical tools, econometric techniques and theoretical frameworks needed to analyse economic problems at an advanced level.
After the core, students choose 36 ECTS worth of specialised courses from a broad catalogue covering modern empirical methods, micro- and macroeconomic theory and their applications across areas such as international trade, labour markets, development, education, finance, governance, competition policy, the public sector and health. This elective block lets you deepen knowledge in specific fields and build applied skills relevant to academic research or policy and industry roles.
A flexible individual focus area (30 ECTS) gives you freedom to customise your degree — take additional economics courses, pick interdisciplinary seminars, complete an internship, or study languages to strengthen employability. The programme culminates in a research-oriented master’s thesis (24 ECTS), where you integrate theory, quantitative methods and applied knowledge to address an economic question; this thesis completes the required 120 ECTS and demonstrates your ability to carry out independent research.
Key learning outcomes
Program requirements (ECTS breakdown)
You must hold a Bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification) that includes substantial coursework across the core economic disciplines. Specifically, your undergraduate record should show combined credits covering microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, statistics and mathematics at a level comparable to the Bachelor's programme in Economics at the University of Bayreuth. Prepare to document your course content and credit allocation (transcripts, syllabi or course descriptions) so the admissions team can assess equivalence.
If your degree was awarded by a university outside the European Union, a strong GRE General Test result is required. The programme expects GRE scores within the top quartile of test takers, so non-EU applicants should plan to achieve high percentile results and submit official GRE score reports. Contact the admissions office if you are unsure whether your prior coursework matches the programme’s expectations.
Winter Semester (International)
15 July 2026
Summer Semester (International)
15 January 2027
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 October 2026
Summer Semester (EU/EEA)
30 April 2026
Graduates acquire advanced analytical, quantitative and empirical skills suited for roles in economic research, policy analysis, consulting, and finance. The programme’s strong methodological training (econometrics, modelling and mathematics) prepares students for positions at central banks, governmental and international organisations, research institutes, think tanks, and private-sector consultancies.
The degree also provides a solid foundation for those aiming to pursue a PhD in economics or related fields, given the programme’s emphasis on advanced theory and empirical methods and the opportunity to conduct an independent master’s thesis.