This English‑taught MSc programme is aimed at a small, highly qualified cohort of students who want to build the analytical tools needed for careers in international organisations, academia, or leadership positions in the public and private sectors. The curriculum begins with an intensive introductory phase that covers advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, giving students the theoretical foundations and empirical methods required to conduct systematic, independent research and to follow more specialised coursework.
After the foundational year, students choose one of three specialised study tracks. The Economics track lets you assemble a distinctive academic profile through a wide range of electives: from the second semester onward all courses are elective, so you can tailor the programme to your interests and depth of specialisation, consult with faculty on course selection, and complete a Master’s thesis in the fourth semester.
The Competition and Regulation Economics track targets students planning careers where expertise in competition and regulation is essential—examples include competition and regulatory authorities, regulated industries (energy, telecommunications) and consulting firms. In this track you take targeted modules on competition policy and regulatory economics alongside electives, benefit from a bespoke lecture series featuring practitioners, and have access to internships, field trips and joint projects with partner organisations. Students conclude this track by writing a Master’s thesis in the fourth semester.
The Economic Research track is structured to prepare students for a PhD and academic research. In the second semester the core courses in micro, macro and econometrics are deepened and broadened; in semesters three and four you take electives that expose you to current research questions in specialised fields and prepare a thesis proposal at the end of the second year. Graduates of this track formally enter the PhD programme at the Center for Doctoral Studies in Economics (CDSE) with scholarship support, enabling them to begin doctoral work.
Key facts and programme requirements
This program is organised into three phases across four semesters, beginning with a two-week orientation. In the first (introductory) semester you choose between two module combinations: the standard Economics set or the Economic Research preparatory set. The Research preparatory option is mandatory for students who plan to move into the Economic Research track after the first semester. Each option contains three to four compulsory core courses that build the technical foundation for later specialisation.
During the advanced phase (second and third semesters) students specialise according to their chosen track. The Economics track offers a broad elective palette across micro- and macroeconomics, econometrics, industrial organisation, finance, game theory, policy analysis, economic history and international trade, and even allows taking modules from related master programmes (e.g. Master in Management, Business Mathematics, Political Science, Sociology). The Competition and Regulation Economics track pairs standard electives with a set of tailored courses emphasizing industrial organisation and regulatory issues. The Economic Research track follows a PhD-style curriculum in the second semester and then lets students choose PhD-level electives in the third semester, with a requirement that at least four electives come from the CDSE catalogue.
All students finish in the fourth semester by writing a Master’s thesis; for those on the Economic Research track, the thesis takes the form of a dissertation proposal. Across the programme you will gain rigorous analytical tools (advanced micro, macro and econometrics), applied skills for policy and market analysis, and—if chosen—research training suitable for PhD progression.
Requirements and key modules
Learning outcomes you can expect
A completed Bachelor's degree in economics ("Volkswirtschaftslehre") or an equivalent qualification is required. Applicants must have a final grade—or current average if the degree is not yet finished—of 2.5 or better (German grading scale). Your application will be assessed on the basis of the documents you submit, and a final determination of eligibility is made during the formal admissions procedure.
The qualifying Bachelor's degree should amount to at least 180 ECTS credits or have a standard study duration of three years or more. Degrees from neighbouring fields (for example, Business Administration; other Social Sciences such as Political Science or Sociology; quantitative areas like Mathematics or Engineering; and Humanities) may be accepted as equivalent only if they meet specific content-related requirements, which are checked by the admissions committee.
If your background is from a neighbouring field and you are unsure whether your qualifications meet the requirements, you can request a preliminary assessment from the programme manager. All applications are reviewed in detail during the admissions process; for further information about application steps and deadlines, please consult the prospective students section on our website.
Admission requirements (summary)
Winter Semester (International)
15 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
15 May 2026
Graduates are prepared for careers in international organisations, public authorities, regulated industries, consulting firms, and leadership roles in the private sector. The programme’s strong training in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics equips students for analytic and policy-oriented positions such as economic analyst, policy advisor, consultant or industry economist.
The Competition & Regulation track specifically targets roles at competition and regulatory authorities, regulated industries (energy, telecoms), and specialised consulting firms. The Economic Research track is explicitly designed to prepare students for doctoral studies and academic research, with direct entry into the CDSE PhD programme supported by scholarships, facilitating a clear pathway to careers in academia and research institutions.