Masters Degrees in Economics, Netherlands

Overview

Economics Plus: looking beyond money, markets and regulations and becoming an economist that can tackle complex economic issues in today’s fast-changing, globalising world.

Radboud University offers six Master’s specialisations in Economics. When choosing a specialisation it’s important to realise that each specialisation may lead to very different future prospects. Each with its own unique challenges and charm. Do you want to immerse yourself in the nitty-gritty of a company’s finances? Or would you prefer to understand financial markets and perhaps be the one that discovers how they can be tamed? Or are you more interested in the economies of developing countries that offer great challenges but also surprising potential?

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/economics

Specialisations of the Master’s programme in Economics

- Accounting and Control
- Multinational Corporate Finance
- Financial Economics
- International Economics & Business
- International Economics & Development
- Economics and Policy

Why study Economics at Radboud University?

- Economics at Radboud University could be called ‘Economics Plus’: the ‘standard’ economics package is expanded with relevant knowledge from related disciplines such as Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.
- Education and research at Radboud University go hand in hand. Our lecturers are active in academic and applied research and incorporate the latest academic developments and applied issues in their teaching.
- In our Master’s programmes, professors and students interact in small groups, thus strengthening the academic atmosphere.
- Our programme is academic. We believe in a strong theoretical background in a broad range of economical theories so that students thoroughly understand not just what is happening, but also why and how. However, we never lose sight of practical relevance. Real-world case scenarios, guest-speakers and the very latest theories on current events, will contribute to you becoming a professional that upon graduating immediately attracts the attention of potential employers.

Change perspective

Radboud University challenges you to look at Economics differently and to discover that within all specialisations this field is much more than money, markets and regulations. Economists also examine consumers’, businesses’ and governmental financial behaviour and decision-making. Their decisions as to where and why they spend money is fundamental in economics. And because their reasoning is not always rational, it’s important to have a clear understanding of thought processes. We therefore include aspects of sociology and psychology in our programme, and we look at our field from a cultural, legal and even philosophical perspective.

Having an eye for all these facets will give you a much better basis to tackle the complex economic issues in today’s fast-changing globalising world than when you just focus on numbers and methods. Simply put, Radboud University’s Master’s programme in Economics will put you ahead of the game.

Career prospects

The career prospects for the Master’s programme in Economics differ slightly, depending on which Master’s specialisation you choose. Below you can find the career prospects of each specialisation:
- Accounting and Control http://www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/economics-accounting/career-prospects
- Corporate Finance and Control http://www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/economics-corporate/career-prospects
- Financial Economics http://www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/economics-financial/career-prospects
- Economics and Policy http://www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/economics-policy/career-prospects
- International Economics and Business http://www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/economics-business/career-prospects
- International Economics and Development http://www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/economic-development/career-prospects

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/economics

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Master's specialization in Behavioral Economics

'Behavioral Economics' is one of the specialized tracks of the Master's program in Economics.

Tilburg University is ranked #11 worldwide in Business and Economics (Times Higher Education, 2016).

Address economic questions around behavior and behavioral change

Many economic questions ultimately revolve around behavior and behavioral change.
•How to encourage households to waste less food?
•How to prevent fraud in organizations?
•How to stimulate employees to cooperate efficiently?
•How to foster trust in online markets?

The track ‘Behavioral Economics’ will provide you with the knowledge and skills to effectively address such questions.

Integrate insights from economics and psychology

The specialization track integrates insights from economics and psychology. It builds on the principle that policy advice should be evidence-based and cannot rely on theory alone. The starting point is that individuals are not rational self-interested maximizers but that human behavior is based on a bounded capacity to process information and on preferences that include a regard for such social norms as fairness and reciprocity.

Learn how to affect behavior by policies and strategies

In recent years it has become increasingly clear to firms, organizations, and governments that policies and strategies should take account of both the economics and the psychology of behavior. There is an urgent need for economists who have been trained to take a broader view, who have a profound knowledge of all relevant aspects of behavior and the ways it can be affected by policies and strategies.

Key courses:

•Seminar Economics and Psychology of Risk and Time
•Seminar Economics and Psychology of Social Norms and Strategic Behavior
•Methods course Experiments and Surveys

Career perspectives

This track is recommended to students who want to work in consultancy, policy advice and project management. The insights from behavioral economics are in high demand at financial institutions, insurance companies, multinational enterprises, as well as in regional and national government.

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[[ Multidisciplinary Economics]]

The MSc Multidisciplinary Economics puts you at the forefront of the latest economic theory as you refine your expert research skills.

Today economics is a complex discipline that touches upon many other fields of study. And the MSc in Multidisciplinary Economics gives you valuable Economics expertise at the same time you gain interdisciplinary research skills that enable you to solve wide-ranging economic issues.
Our two-year Research Master's degree in Multidisciplinary Economics was carefully designed to give you the specialised knowledge and expertise you need for a career in economics. Moreover, the multidisciplinary context will encourage you to look at complex economics issues from different perspectives and help you to apply that knowledge in academia, industry or government. You also have an opportunity to take on an internship at a research institute or company.

'The multidisciplinary nature and structure of this MSc means you have freedom to follow your own interests; an excellent way to become a well-prepared researcher with a broad view of economics.' - Mark Kattenberg, alumnus

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Research Master in Economics

CentER's Research Master's program in Economics offers two years of graduate level coursework and research training in economics. It prepares you for PhD dissertation research. The program is intergrated with CentER's three-year PhD program to comprise the five-year Graduate Program in Economics.

The first year of the Research Master's program in Economics is fully devoted to rigorous training in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. It equips you with a sound basis in economic and econometric theory and methods.

The second year of the Research Master's program in Economics is evenly split between specialized coursework and a first major research paper, the Research Master thesis. This year allows you to explore the many research areas available at CentER, to fully develop your research interests, and to match up with one or more advisers that share your interests.

Career Prospects Research Master in Economics

The Research Master's program in Economics is fully dedicated to preparing students for PhD thesis research at CentER. To this end, we limit the inflow to a small number of excellent students with a sincere interest in pursuing a PhD at CentER. We expect most of these students to successfully complete the Research Master in Economics and we expect that many of them will continue with PhD thesis research at CentER.

However, the graduates of the Research Master's program in Economics that do not continue with a PhD project, may also start a professional career, typically at government organizations (National Departments, Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, regional organizations) and in the consultancy or financial sector.

After completing the PhD, many students participate in CentER's academic job placement procedure and find jobs at universities, research institutes, and government institutions around the world, as well as at private companies.

In the PhD phase, most accepted PhD students become university employees earning a gross salary over more than Euro 85000 over three years and are granted pension rights.

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Tilburg University's Master’s in Economics program equips you with the tools needed to understand and manage the complex problems facing companies and governments in the modern economy.
What defines the modern economy? Increasingly integrated and turbulent markets, opening up unprecedented opportunities for firms as well greater risks. With your deep understanding of how markets function, when they fail, and the implications of this for market participants, you will be optimally prepared to help organizations and governments seize the opportunities available in the global economy while avoiding potential market pitfalls.

Tilburg University is ranked as #11 worldwide in Business and Economics (Times Higher Education, 2016). With its excellent quality and relatively low tuition fee, the program at Tilburg University is an excellent choice for those wanting to develop the skills, knowledge and attitude for a professional economic analyst.

The program is unique in its kind due to its flexible curriculum. Students can compose their own personalized curriculum by selecting courses from 13 different seminars and 5 methods courses. By selecting specific courses, they also have the opportunity to compose one of the specialized tracks:
-Competition and Regulation
-Public Policy
-Sustainability and Growth
-Pensions Aging and Retirement
-Money Banking and Financial Institutions
-Behavioral Economics.

Future jobs

Because of the excellent reputation of the Tilburg University Economics Department in both teaching and research, your Master's in Economics qualification gives you a competitive advantage in any career that requires sound economic knowledge, strong economic intuition, and sharp analytical and problem-solving skills.

Your degree will be an excellent launch pad for a career as consultant, analyst or policy advisor. Possible job opportunities include positions in:
•International companies
•Banks
•Management Consulting firms
•Research agencies
•Public sector
•Non-profit sector

Are you passionate about sharing your knowledge with others? After finishing your Master in Economics, Dutch graduates have the possibility to follow a one-year educational post-Master to become a teacher in General Economics.

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The objective of the programme is to teach you economic theories at a high analytical level. Moreover, the programme will familiarize you with the application of theory and research methods on economic practice and policy. Such a combination of rigorous academic thinking with practical application is essential for any professional active in the field of economics policy or research.

The focus of the programme is on up-to-date economic theories of industrial organization, macro and monetary economics. The other areas within the field of economics that are covered depend on your choice of electives. You will learn about the influence of economic factors on society and how economic theory can be applied to interpret and analyse economic problems. You will complete this degree by writing a thesis to prove your ability in conducting economic research.

Why in Groningen?

The programme offers a broad general economics training, with the advantage of being flexible and with a strong international focus. It makes you understand how to put politics, society and business into an academic framework. Economics is an internationally accredited programme, ensuring a high quality education that meets both the AACSB and EQUIS standards, which only one percent of universities reach worldwide.

Job perspectives

The MSc in Economics trains students for positions in which they contribute to economic decision-making processes. This can be in (inter)national government bodies, public organizations and private corporations like financial institutions, multinationals and consultancy firms. In addition, economists can work as researchers in academia, business or governmental agencies. You can also use your expertise to write for journals and newspapers.

Because all our programmes are EQUIS and AACSB accredited, a standard which only one percent of universities reach worldwide, your degree will be highly valued on the labour market.

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. Also right from the start of your degree programme attention is paid to academic research and preprofessional development. Since an analytical and critical mind and problem-solving capabilities are important qualities in any career our students aspire.

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The Research Master's degree in Economics and Business is a two-year programme and is open to bright and ambitious students.

This programme provides you with a thorough basis in academic research in the fields of Economics and Business. The aim of the programme is to qualify you for a career in research. Therefore, there is a strong focus on scientific and academic skills. You can choose from six different profiles:

1) Economics, Econometrics & Finance
2) Marketing
3) Global Economics & Management
4) Operations Management and Operations Research
5) Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour
6) Innovation & Organization

You will receive lectures from the best researchers, not only from Groningen but also from our national and international networks. Furthermore, the small-scale programme ensures an intensive exchange of knowledge, both between lecturers and students as well as among students themselves. Each student is individually supervised by a researcher.

Degree: MSc in Research Master in Economics and Business (research)

Why in Groningen?

The programme is chosen best Research Master in the Netherlands 2012 and marked as 'top programme' in 2014. Students get intensive supervision by high-quality researchers in small groups and there is a strong focus on research skills training, as well as deepening and broadening knowledge. Besides, it's an internationally accredited programme, ensuring a high quality education that meets both the AACSB and EQUIS standards, which only one percent of universities reach worldwide.

Job perspectives

As a graduate from this degree, you are ideally placed to become a PhD student or to obtain a research position in a public or private organization. So far, graduates from this programme have obtained PhD positions at the Universities of Antwerp (Belgium), Bocconi (Milan, Italy), Rotterdam, Sydney (Australia) and of course Groningen. Others have started working for companies and organizations such as McKinsey, the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, and the Dutch Central Bank.

Because all our programmes are EQUIS and AACSB accredited, a standard which only one percent of universities reach worldwide, your degree will be highly valued on the labour market.

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our Research Master programme is strongly embedded within our Faculty: the six profiles of the Research Master correspond with the six research programmes within SOM. Each student is supervised by a renowned researcher from his or her research area.

The study programme has a strong focus on scientific and academic skills. Before students can contribute to a field of study, they will need to know a great deal about that field and have sufficient knowledge about research methods and techniques. Students will therefore be provided with in-depth knowledge about a certain field of economics and business sciences on the one hand, and will be trained in a wide range of research methods on the other.

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MSc Management Economics and Consumer Studies

The Management, Economics and Consumer Studies programme deals with the interrelationships between producers, consumers and society-at-large. We offer specialisations for students with a Social Sciences background as well as a technical Life Sciences background.

Programme summary

During the programme, students will study the dynamics in the agro-food chain involving suppliers, producers, retailers and consumers; focusing on how they affect each other and how they affect, and are affected by, the economy and society. The domain of this programme is business and all the components of industry including production, distribution and final use or consumption. It covers managerial, economic, sociological and environmental aspects – internal and external – of households and businesses in the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world, in both developed and developing countries.

Specialisations

Within the MSc Management Economics and Consumer Studies you can choose from four specialisations. Each specialisation trains you to become an expert in that field.

Management Studies
This specialisation includes several options. Students can investigate and analyse the strategies and operations of companies in production and distribution networks as well as the dynamic decision-making processes involved in production. Alternatively, you may choose to focus on the various aspects of marketing and consumer behaviour in business, agribusiness and the food industry. It is also possible to acquire expertise in facility management, information systems, operations research (logistics), information management or quantitative decision modelling.

Consumer Studies
This specialisation allows you to study the behaviour, lifestyles and consumption patterns of consumers and households. Students will acquire insight into the economic and sociological aspects of consumers and households, and the factors determining consumption behaviour and patterns. Alternatively, the role of communication between the various actors in the food chain or consumer technology can be studied.

Economics, Environment and Governance
Students analyse the economic behaviour of various participants in the agricultural sector and rural areas in developed countries or study the pivotal role of agricultural and rural development in low-income countries. You can also specialise in Public Administration and Policy if you are interested in the governance of complex problems in domains of sustainable agriculture, climate change or water management. If students are more interested in environmental issues, they can focus on the economic or policy aspects of national and international environmental problems or the processes of environmentally-induced social change in modern industrial and developing societies.

Management, Innovation and Life Sciences
The goal of this specialisation, especially designed for students with a life science background, is to integrate technical and managerial knowledge. Examples of how this interaction can be of optimal use are complex innovation processes in production, logistics or market development. These processes have a high technological character in which innovation plays a central role and for which good communication and managerial skills are necessary. Three different profiles can be studied within this specialisation: innovation management, innovation in decision support and economics, and innovation in operations management.

Your future career

Graduates have career prospects as managers, consultants, researchers and teachers in the public or private sector. Career opportunities are found within financial institutions, marketing agencies or in the field of consumer affairs. Also, alumni work as policy makers in government agencies or non-profit organisations, in development and innovation in life science related businesses or organisations.

Alumnus Bart Zwartjes.
Innovate a new chip flavour, assist in expanding an encyclopedia made by consumers (Wikipedia), or write a review of a purchased product. These are just a few examples of co-creating as a consumer. Co-creation is a joint effort by company and consumer and companies have a lot to gain by this. Namely, 50-70% of all product innovations fail at market entry. Co-creation allows companies to offer products and services that meet consumer needs better. But why would consumers spend their free time helping out companies? Currently Bart works as a consultant for Cap-Gemini advising businesses on how to make successful use of co-creation.

Related programmes:
MSc International Development Studies
MSc Food Quality Management
MSc Applied Communication Science
Health and Society (specialisation)
MSc Development and Rural Innovation.

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If you enjoy mathematics and statistics, and would like to apply this to challenging real economic and business problems, then this Master’s program is the right program for you!

Taught by some of Europe's pre-eminent academics, the program focuses on the mathematical and quantitative analysis of economic problems. Acquire the tools to apply mathematical and statistical methods to produce solutions to real-world economic and business challenges in everything from the labour market, capital investment and industrial organizations, to the strategic behaviour of firms and individual decision-making.

The program offers you:

•Excellent career perspectives
The Master’s program in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics belongs to the programs with the best career perspectives. Graduates are awarded an internationally-recognized Tilburg University Master of Science degree, and are qualified to pursue careers in a range of different organizations.

•Wider career perspectives than most comparable Master's programs because of the large pool of elective courses. This gives you the chance to broaden your knowledge in many areas, yet specialize if you wish.

•A degree with a specialization in Pensions, Aging and Retirement.

•The latest theories, techniques and applications in econometrics taught within a stimulating and intellectually-challenging academic environment, where you get the scope to develop and test your own mathematical and statistical tools.

•Teaching by leading international scholars from the world-renowned research institute CentER at Tilburg University.

•The best start to your future career. Our students go on to pursue successful careers in government, consultancy firms, large and small companies and the non-profit sector, as well as scientific careers in economics or business research.

Future jobs

Graduates of the Master's program in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics are awarded an internationally-recognized Tilburg University Master of Science degree, and are qualified to pursue careers in a range of different organizations, including:
•Government departments
•Consultancy firms
•Research Institutes
•Research departments of large companies
•Banks
•Insurance companies
•Pension funds

The Master’s program in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics belongs to the programs with the best career perspectives. Graduates easily find jobs, often before graduation, and they earn above average.

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'Competition and Regulation' is one of the specialized tracks on the Master's program in Economics.

Tilburg University is ranked #11 worldwide in Business and Economics (Times Higher Education, 2016.

A specialized track about the tension between competition and regulation:
Fair competition is essential for the functioning of markets. Consumers can make better decisions if they are well informed about prices, service conditions, and product quality. Firms will be able to exploit their competencies if they are operating at a level playing field.

At the same time, firms benefit from shielding themselves from competition of their rivals in the market. And being successful may create a monopoly position. It is this tension between competition and regulation that makes a deep analysis of markets both intellectually interesting and practically relevant for corporate strategists and policy makers.

Apply Industrial Organization and Competition Law to business strategies and regulatory policies:
In the 'Competition and Regulation' track, you will learn how to apply insights from Industrial Organization and Competition Law, to business strategies and to regulatory policies. Cases deal with, for example, the lack of competition in certain markets (electricity, telecommunication services) and the response by national governments and the European Union.

This track is closely linked to the Tilburg Law and Economics research center TiLEC.

Key courses:

•Methods: Game Theory and Industrial Organization
•Seminar Competition and Innovation
•Seminar Competition Policy
•Seminar Competition and Regulation in Network Industries

In these courses, you analyze causes of imperfect competition and identify rules and regulations that ensure fair competition while mitigating possible negative effects on productivity and technological change. You will also learn about the legal aspects, including discussion of the relevant legal concepts and laws.

Career perspectives

This track is advised to students who wish to work for competition authorities (e.g. the Dutch ACM), regulatory bodies, Ministry of Economic Affairs, large consultancy firms (PricewaterhouseCoopers), specialized economic consultancies on competition and regulation (Lexecon, Nera, Oxera), international organizations such as EU and OECD, and economic departments of large firms.

Recent graduates in this track are working as:

•Director for Economic Research at the Turkish Competition Authority
•Economist at the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM)
•Management Consultant at Magnitude Consulting
•Economic Adviser at Confindustria
•Corporate Credit Risk Analyst at Essent N.V.
•Junior Business Analyst at Raven Consulting
•Senior Commercial Strategy Analyst at LAN Airlines
•Economic Analyst at Bulgarian Photovoltaic Association

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'Pensions, Aging and Retirement' is one of the specialized tracks of the Master's program in Economics.

Tilburg University is ranked #11 worldwide in Business and Economics (Times Higher Education, 2016).

Understand the economic aspects of pensions, aging and retirement:
Aging populations increasingly raise economic and policy questions on a firm and national level for every developed country - creating an urgent demand for professionals with the expertise to offer informed solutions.
The track 'Pensions, Aging and Retirement' will bring you a scientific understanding of the various aspects of aging.

Create solutions for financial institutions and government policy:
You will learn how economic theories and models can be applied to create solutions for financial institutions and government policy. The track is closely linked to research institute Netspar which is a renowned institute involved in the development of financial products and facilities for the ‘old age’ European citizens.

Career perspectives

This track offers you a qualification that leads to a host of different career options in the public and private sector as well as academia, thanks to the growing demand for specialists with in-depth knowledge of the issues pertaining to aging societies.

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'Sustainability and Growth' (formerly: Resources, Development and Growth) is one of the specialized tracks of the Master's program in Economics.

Tilburg University is ranked #11 worldwide in Business and Economics (Times Higher Education, 2016).

Combine inclusive economic growth with a non-deteriorating environment:

Recently the OECD and Worldbank have launched a Green Growth strategy, which looks for ways to combine inclusive economic growth with a non-deteriorating environment. International development agencies, national governments, regional planners, but also internationally operating firms have to deal with the tension between development and growth on the one hand, and responsible use of resources on the other hand.

This has resulted in a wide variety of responses at the firm level, from foreign investments with the aim of securing resources to corporate social responsibility strategies. At the more aggregate level, analysts have been questioning the growth imperative (cf. Occupy Wall Street, Degrowth) - is growth obsolete?

Evaluate policies and firm strategies towards development and sustainable resource use:
In the 'Sustainability and Growth' track, you will learn how to analyze the sources of economic growth in a country or region, the barriers to growth and development they face, and the possible negative consequences of growth. You will be trained to evaluate policies and firm strategies towards development and sustainable resource use.

The track is closely linked to the Tilburg Sustainability Center, a multidisciplinary research and policy advise institute.

In these courses, you will learn how to evaluate people’s willingness to pay for environmental improvements, and how to measure the effectiveness of structural reform policies. You will write policy proposals regarding inequality and growth, educational policies, and innovation strategies. An example of a case you will be analyzing is investment in sustainable production methods in Vietnamese villages.

Career perspectives

This track is advised if you wish to pursue a career in international organizations (World Bank), national governments (Ministry of Development Cooperation, Ministry of the Environment), non-governmental organizations, or internationally oriented consultancy firms.

Examples of functions of recent graduates of this track:
•Consultant at the Inter-American Development Bank
•Credit Risk Analyst at FMO
•Consultant at The World Bank
•Senior Business Consultant at SimCorp
•Policy Advisor at CNV
•Strategy Consultant at The Boston Consulting Group
•Business Analyst at Argos Energies
•Consultant at Mercados EMI
•Business Consultant at First Consulting
•Analyst at PricewaterhouseCoopers PwC
•Junior Researcher at the University of Amsterdam
•Projectleader SEPA at IBC Business Consulting
•Business Analyst at PostNL
•Business Analyst Finance and Enterprise Performance at Accenture
•Consultant at Steward Redqueen
•Junior Consultant at ECORYS
•Financial-Economic Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
•Research Consultant at Digitalis Ltd

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In this Double Degree (with Universidad de Chile) you will gain comprehensive knowledge of the economies, economic policies, strategies, theories and practices of Europe and Latin America.

This double degree programme with Universidad de Chile in Santiago is for students who want to broaden their view on important economic topics by bringing in a comparative perspective.

You will obtain two degrees: MSc in Economics (Groningen) and the Master Economic Analysis (Santiago de Chile). The programme will provide you a broader view of economic theory and practice. In addition, you will get the opportunity to experience student life in two different cultures with sufficient time spent in each environment to obtain a thorough understanding of both cultures. Universidad de Chile is one of the best universities in the Latin American region.

The Master in Economic Analysis aims to tackle the problems and challenges of emerging economies from an applied point of view. The programme trains you to analyse policies and economic decisions, both in public and private areas. Lecturers are experts holding PhD degrees from the best universities in the world (Harvard, MIT, Berkeley, Oxford, Yale and Cambridge). Several have professional experience in international organizations such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the United Nations.

Why in Groningen?

Unique combination of two degrees, in Groningen and Santiago de Chile, in which you will learn to add the comparative perspective to economic topics. The programme is an internationally accredited programme, ensuring a high quality education that meets both the AACSB and EQUIS standards, which only one percent of universities reach worldwide.

Job perspectives

The MSc in Economics and Economic Analysis trains students for positions in which they contribute to economic decision-making processes. This can be in (inter)national government bodies, public organizations and private corporations like financial institutions, multinationals and consultancy firms. In addition, economists can work as researchers in academia, business or governmental agencies. You can also use your expertise to write for journals and newspapers.

Because all our programmes are EQUIS and AACSB accredited, a standard which only one percent of universities reach worldwide, your degree will be highly valued on the labour market.

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. Also right from the start of your degree programme attention is paid to academic research and preprofessional development. Since an analytical and critical mind and problem-solving capabilities are important qualities in any career our students aspire.

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This international double degree trains you to be a well-rounded expert in the field of development. You get Master's degrees from two top-class European research universities: Groningen and Lund.

The programme provides you the theoretical and quantitative tools needed to grasp the main debates in economics and other social sciences, as well as the deep, specialized understanding of context, institutions, and historical legacies in developing economies required to deal with the full complexity of development issues.

The MEDEG programme is offered by a consortium of the University of Groningen (The Netherlands), Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain) and Lund University (Sweden). Candidates study the first year in Groningen or in Madrid. In the second year all students move to Sweden to specialize in development and growth issues at Lund University School of Economics and Management.

The Groningen–Lund programme provides rigorous training in economics and quantitative methods and offers a variety of electives in central topics in development. At the end of each programme year you complete an independent research project, closely supervised by faculty.

On successful completion, you will obtain an MSc in International Economics and Business of the University of Groningen, and a Master Degree in Social Science with major in Economic Development and Growth of Lund University.

Degree: MSc in International Economics and Business

Job perspectives

This programme provides you with plenty of career opportunities in institutions all over the world addressing economic development, such as the EU, OECD, ILO, World Bank, UNESCO, WTO, CEPAL, IADB (Inter-American Development Bank), NGOs, governments and central banks, think tanks, multinational companies and consulting firms.

You will also obtain the advanced skills required to carry out research in the fields of development economics, economic history, applied economics and international economics. You may choose to pursue an academic career and continue in a PhD programme. Because all our programmes are EQUIS and AACSB accredited, a standard which only one percent of universities reach worldwide, your degree will be highly valued on the labour market.

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. Also right from the start of your degree programme attention is paid to academic research and preprofessional development. Since an analytical and critical mind and problem-solving capabilities are important qualities in any career our students aspire. In collaboration with external partners we conduct research projects on e.g. banking, local government, customer insights, leadership, energy, healthy ageing and lean operations.

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In the Research Master's track in Tax Economics you learn valuable knowledge in economic-based fundamental theories of taxation, behavioral theories, principles of accounting and empirical methods and their statistical foundation. Besides, the program equips you with the necessary skills to conduct top level research, such as the use of econometric software and write any piece of academic work. With your understanding on how tax and economic considerations relate, you are optimally prepared for a career in academia or business.

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