Economics – Master of Science

This research-focused MSc in Economics at the University of Cologne is taught in English and covers a broad spectrum of economic subjects while allowing substantial flexibility in what you specialise in. Students can tailor their coursework across and within fields, choosing concentrations that match their interests. The programme highlights four principal areas:

• Market Design and Behaviour
• Markets and Economic Policy
• Empirical Methods and Data Analysis
• Energy and Climate Change

The curriculum places strong emphasis on empirical and analytical training, equipping you with modern research methods to investigate economic questions and carry out independent research projects. Graduates leave prepared for roles that require solid economic expertise in both the private and public sectors, and the programme also provides a pathway for those wishing to continue with doctoral research in economics.

The MSc is internationally oriented in terms of content, teaching style and student body. You will study in an international environment in Cologne, with many classmates and faculty members coming from different countries or having been trained abroad, which can enrich classroom discussion and networking opportunities.

Requirements (as given in the original description)

• The original programme summary did not specify admission or application requirements. For details on academic prerequisites, language proficiency expectations, documents and deadlines, consult the university’s official admissions information.

Overview and structure

This two-year master’s programme totals 120 ECTS and combines a compact Core Section, a flexible Specialisation Section, Supplementary Sections, and a Master’s thesis. The curriculum builds a solid grounding in economic theory and quantitative methods while giving you freedom to shape most of your study path according to your academic interests and career goals. The Core Section (24 credit points, four courses) ensures everyone masters the essential tools of modern economics: econometrics & statistics, macroeconomics and microeconomics.

Key modules and specialisations

After the core, you choose courses that define your substantive focus. Three broad specialisation tracks are offered:

• Empirical Methods and Data Analysis — intensive training in empirical tools and data-driven techniques for analysing economic questions.
• Markets and Economic Policy — emphasis on macroeconomic perspectives, public policy issues and the functioning of markets at aggregate levels.
• Market Design and Behaviour — microeconomic investigation of how specific markets operate, how they can be regulated, and how individual behaviour affects outcomes.

Supplementary options and thesis

Supplementary Sections let you both deepen and broaden your profile. Within Economics you can opt for a focused concentration in Energy and Climate Change, which extends the methods and insights from the specialisation courses, or select additional topics across the specialisation fields; you may also take courses from the Master in Economic Research programme. Alternatively, the Supplementary Section in Management and Social Science enables interdisciplinary exploration — examples include personnel economics, political science courses to strengthen public policy understanding, or sociology to study human behaviour. The Master’s thesis is the programme’s capstone: it demonstrates your ability to apply theoretical and empirical skills to carry out independent research that contributes to scientific knowledge.

Requirements (at a glance)

• Total programme size: 120 ECTS
• Core Section: 24 credit points (four courses) covering econometrics & statistics, macroeconomics, microeconomics
• Specialisation Section: choose courses reflecting one’s substantive orientation (Empirical Methods & Data Analysis; Markets & Economic Policy; Market Design & Behaviour)
• Supplementary Sections: options in Economics (including possible concentration in Energy & Climate Change and courses from the Master in Economic Research) or in Management and Social Science
• Master’s thesis: independent research project demonstrating applied and theoretical analytical skills
• Flexible elective choices allow tailoring the curriculum to individual interests and interdisciplinary goals

Graduates are prepared for analytical and advisory roles in both public and private organisations that require advanced economic expertise. Typical outcomes include positions in government agencies, policy institutes, financial and consulting firms, research centres, and international organisations.

The programme’s research orientation and rigorous methodological training also make it a suitable stepping stone for doctoral studies in economics and related research careers.