Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Economics
Programme objectives
The programme Master of Science in Economics aims to convey the analytical skills and expertise of a quantitative-oriented economist interested in practical solutions to economic problems in a world that is increasingly complex and difficult to classify.
The master's degree programme in Economics is designed to last two years. As a part of the master's degree programme, it is possible to prepare for a doctoral degree programme by selecting suitable courses.
The Faculty attaches a great deal of importance to ensuring the offered programmes can be completed within the standard period of study and regularly evaluates the courses.
The main features of the programme include:
Quantitative focus: For master's students who view economics as a "hard" subject, there is an academic ambition to understand economic phenomena with logical precision and clarity. It is just as important as letting the economic models and their quantitative relevance speak for themselves. The main focus is on dealing with quantitative data, statistical and econometric methods for data analysis, and computers to derive quantitative statements form the models and to check their plausibility.
Theoretical foundation: You will learn to understand how economics think. Economists' toolkits are made up of models. They serveto organise their limitations and uncover possible contradictions in order to develop improvements and expansions, test alternative hypotheses and thus gradually come closer to recognising reality.
Research skills: Teaching at the School of Business and Economics at Humboldt-Universität is heavily research-oriented. This is not only in the topics and focuses in the teaching programme, but also in the results of students' thesis, the very best of which aim to take science one step further.
Internationality: Economics is a subject with an international outlook. This is why the metropolis of Berlin is an ideal location for studying economics. We have a large number of international students. Humboldt-Universität maintains relationships with partner universities the world over, while both promoting and eagerly anticipating international student exchanges. The majority of courses are offered in English.
Self-initiative: Freedom of research and teaching also means freedom for students to choose their fields of study, among other things. With that in mind, our master's degree programme offers students a great deal of flexibility, which, in turn, requires a great deal of initiative.
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Standard period of study: 4 semester (2 years)
Programme wokload: 120 ECTS credit points (CP)
Language of instruction: Mainly English
Start of study: Winter semester (October).
In addition to the formal entry and admission criteria, we expect you to be interested, first and foremost, in economic issues, to enjoy scientific work, and to possess sound methodological and analytical skills, sufficient IT skills, a very good level of English, self-organisation skills, and commitment.
You can find subject-specific information on the entry and admission requirements for the master's degree programme Economics as well as the selection criteria through this link to the application.
Application information:
Study Programmes and applications at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
You can find additional information on placement in a higher semester on the homepage of the Examination Office.
Core modules (32 CP):
- Econometric Methods (12 CP). The compulsory module "Econometric Methods" provides students with the necessary tools not only to understand scientific work in modern economics, but also to be able to make a contribution to the scientific development of the discipline as part of their subsequent master's thesis and in their subsequent professional activity.
- Master's thesis (20 CP)
Catalogue of specialised electives (total 78 CP):
From the catalogue of specialised electives, 58 CP of the highest-graded modules are included in the overall grade.
Catalogue of specialised electives A: Micro- and Macroeconomics (12 CP):
In this catalogue, we offer courses covering central and current areas of economics: Advanced Microeconomics and Advanced Macroeconomics. By selecting courses from this catalogue, students can complement their respective educational backgrounds in a targeted manner, this ensuring they have a broad knowledge of all the relevant areas of economics. The following elective modules are to be selected:
- Introduction to Advanced Microeconomic Analysis (6 CP) or Advanced Microeconomic Theory I (PhD-Level) (6 CP)
- Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis (6 CP) or Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis I (PhD-Level) (6 CP)
Catalogue of specialised electives B: Economics (18 CP):
The in-depth courses provide up-to-date and research-related specialist knowledge. Within these specializations, work is primarily carried out in smaller groups on current issues in the field of economics. At least three elective modules from the following catalogue must be completed:
- Advanced Labor Economics
- Empirical Labor Economics
- Competition Policy
- Advanced Monetary Economics
- Decision-Making under Uncertainty
- Public Economics
Catalogue of specialised electives C: Economics and Methodology (30 CP):
- At least 24 CP are to be selected from the Economic module offering. It is also possible to choose modules from catalogues A and B that have not already been completed.
- At least 6 CP are to be selected from the modules offered in the methodological subjects (statistics, econometrics, information systems).
Catalogue of specialised electives D: Business and Economics (18 LP):
Furthermore, 18 CP are to be selected from the modules offered by the School of Business and Economics (Economics, Business Administration, Quantitative Methods). This catalogue is well suited for the recognition of modules with a focus on economics (e.g. from a semester abroad).
If more than 60 CP are completed in catalogues A to C, catalogue D is reduced accordingly.
Catalogue of interdisciplinary electives (ÜWP, 10 CP - ungraded):
The catalogue of interdisciplinary electives has a workload of 10 credit points. It is mandatory and cannot be replaced by selecting further modules offered by the Faculty. Achievements are recognised without grades. If applicable, grades awarded for cources from the ÜWP are not taken into account in the calculation of the final grade. The recognition of the ÜWP falls within the purview of the Examination Office of the School of Business and Economics. Detailed requirements for credit toward the ÜWP can be found here (see page 1).
Here you can download pdf-files:
- A pictorial representation of the degree program.
- The ideal course plan (in German; suggestion, not mandatory).
- The module catalog (unofficial version, in German).
About the internship (not a mandatory internship):
The internship must be related to the field of study, which must be stated in a cover letter (about 2 pages). In addition, an internship certificate, issued by the employer (job description, duration of the internship and weekly working hours) must be submitted to the Examination Office. The internship must last of at least 6 consecutive weeks (full time). The definition of "full time" may vary from company to company. In some companies "full time" is also 38 h or 39 hours per week. A 12-week internship with half of the regular full-time hours will also be recognised. The internship must be completed during the master's program.
Employments contracts for jobs as student assistants in the universities or academic research institutes, as well as self-employment, cannot be recognised as internships.
The recognition of the internship falls within the purview of the Examination Office of the School of Business and Economics. Detailed requirements for credit toward an internship can be found here (see page 2).
Master's thesis:
The master's thesis marks the conclusion of the programme and is an independent academic undertaking. When writing your thesis, which is completed over a period of 90 days and should amount to about 100,000 - 120,000 characters without spaces (roughly 60 pages of text without appendices), you independently apply the scientific methodological skills you have aquired in order to address a contemporary research problem. While writing your master's thesis, you will receive regular supervision. If applicable, your results are to be presented in a final seminar. The registration documents for the master's thesis are available at the Examination Office. Students are admitted to the master's thesis if the requirements set by the examiner are met.
Procedure: You collect the registration documents from the Examination Office. The topic to be covered as well as the date the topic was assigned by the examiner must be included on the registration form, which in turn must be signed. This registration form must then be submitted immediately to the Examination Office. You will then receive written confirmation of the registration as well as information about all related deadlines.
Information and formal suggestions are available in the "Guidelines for students on scientific work". Please also adhere to any specifications from your examiner.
Related links:
Examination Office
Going abroad - International Office
Information on the organization of studies