International economics with a strong empirical and analytical emphasis on the low and middle income countries of the Global South.
This specialisation offers you the opportunity to follow a state-of-the-art curriculum in International Economics with a strong empirical and analytical focus on the low and middle income countries of the Global South. Hosting one of the largest databases for developing countries in the world, we offer you a unique possibility to analyse poverty, inequality, and economic development in these countries in an international context. Using recent theoretical insights and modern empirical methods, you will be actively involved in comparative research on issues in developing countries such as the impact of globalisation on economic growth, corruption, the education of children, child labour and women’s empowerment.
- A broad perspective on issues pertaining to low and middle income countries
- Strong comparative and empirical orientation
- One of the world’s largest micro-level database for developing countries
- Small group teaching and close contact with professors and their research
- Excellent reputation in the Netherlands and abroad
Radboud University Master’s specialisation in International Economics & Development pushes your curiosity to understand and evaluate the economic situation in low and middle income countries. You will be taught to look at the bigger picture and to analyse micro-level data in order to discover what is going well and what isn’t. Your analysis will provide information on intra-country or cross-national disparities. It aims to inform both national governments as well as international development organisations, and might lead to programmatic action aimed at bringing about positive changes to people’s lives in the poorest regions of our globe.
Scientific and societal relevance go hand in hand in this programme. We address contemporary issues like child labour, women’s empowerment, human development, children’s schooling and economic growth by evaluating societal developments with the help of sound academic theories. We not only discuss pressing issues of today but also issues we believe will be pressing in the near future.
Upon completing the Master’s programme in International Economics & Development, you will be knowledgeable about recent developments in the field. You will be an up-and-coming professional that is able to:
- Understand and reflect on the international, professional and academic literature in the field of international economics & development.
- Report independently on various issues in international economics and development, including state of the art empirical and theoretical studies.
- Use and apply statistical tools and methods.
- Conduct independent research.
- Present and clearly and consistently defend your views and research outcomes.
- Maintain a critical attitude towards your own work and that of others in your field.
We make sure our graduates have the strong academic background they need to be able to work as economists, policy-makers and researchers for international organisations (The World Bank, UN), development-oriented consultancy firms, NGOs, national governments as well as universities and research institutes.
The Master’s specialisation International Economics & Development is theoretically unique in that we not only deal with the problems that poor countries face, but also with interesting new developments taking place in the Global South. We will discuss the rise of the BRIC countries, concentrating on both the potential they have as well as the challenges they face. We will also look at unique new economic phenomena within developing countries, like the emergence of a complete pro-poor banking system based on mobile phone credits in Kenya and other parts of Africa (known as m-pesa).
- Understanding economic changes in the developing world
Our unique and interesting combination of subjects will provide you with a well-rounded understanding in this field. Apart from development economics students will get an academic understanding of economics methodology, the role of international financial markets, behavioural economics and the important influence culture has on economic phenomena. And thanks to a choice of elective subjects, you can give your programme a unique focus that meets your academic interests.
Students taking this Master’s specialisation will learn how to understand and analyse economic changes taking place throughout the developing world. Students will be taught how to discover determinants and develop indicators that make it possible to monitor changes at the sub-national level in great detail. These indicators can be used scientifically, but also for creating detailed overview scans of regions for political or humanitarian purposes.
- Database Developing World and the MDGs
One of the tools our students can use is our Database Developing World (DDW). This database constitutes a unique window to the developing world, making it possible to study important processes on a scale and with a degree of detail that is unique in the world.
The DDW also holds indicators for seven of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which range from halving extreme poverty rates to empowering woman and providing universal primary education. The target date of 2015 is fast approaching and although enormous progress has been made, the UN is working with governments, civil society and other partners to carry on with a post-2015 sustainable development agenda. As a graduate of this Master’s specialisation, you could go on to be one of the professionals that helps to achieve the MDGs and thereby making a real difference in people’s lives.
Understanding today’s global economic and business landscape requires insights from both economics and business studies. Therefore the specialisation International Business (IB) combines both fields of study, focusing specifically on their relevance for firms that operate in an international environment.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ib
In this specialisation, you can opt for a Master’s in Business Administration or a Master’s in Economics. The difference lies in the focus of the studies:
In this specialisation, you will be offered a strategic perspective on ways of gaining a competitive advantage in the global marketplace that aim to create both economic and social value. This suggests adopting a balanced outlook on relations with market and nonmarket stakeholders for a sustainable performance, seeking responsiveness and global efficiencies in marketing efforts, and innovating in emerging and developing markets.
In this specialisation you are taught to answer questions such as: What are the consequences of the rise of emerging economies, such as China and India, for the structures and strategies of multinationals? How does the success of a cross border merger or acquisition depend on differences in institutions and cultures between host and parent countries? And what are the effects of trade agreements on the (location) strategies of multinationals?
- A broad perspective on issues that are relevant for globally operating firms
- A focus on recent scientific insights and modern methods of applied research
- An excellent reputation in the Netherlands and abroad
- Small group teaching and close contact with professors and their research
- Good career prospects across the world
In the IB/Economics specialisation, we combine the latest economic theories with the cultural aspect of doing international business. Therefore, graduates will understand that doing business globally requires more than an understanding of economic principles. In the IB/Business Administration specialisation, we push the boundaries of our conventional thinking by reflecting theoretically and empirically on what mainstream international business perspectives mean for emerging and developing markets as well as nonmarket actors for the mutual creation of economic and social value. Graduates will be able to give their future employees a new and fresh look on the process of globalisation and how their company can manoeuvre and position themselves in multiple countries and markets.
One of the most important skills graduates of the Master’s specialisation in International Business will acquire is to report independently and thoroughly on various issues within the broad realm of international business. You will learn to include empirical and theoretical studies as well as the outcomes of your own independent research, not as a means to an end but in as far as it is relevant to the given advice. In other words, creating a policy paper of academic quality that is both understandable and practicable for businesses. And in order to remain a strong, self-sufficient professional you will learn how to continually maintain a critical attitude towards your own work and that of others in your field.
Our graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to work for large and medium sized international companies, consultancy firms, government and not-for-profit organisations, banks or within research or education. In particular, it will be multinational enterprises and consultancy firms that advise on international mergers and acquisitions, that will be very interested in your skills and know-how after completing the International Economics and Business Master’s specialisation.
The Master’s specialisation International Economics & Business looks at all aspects of both international financing as well as international entrepreneurship, of both the flow of capital as well as the flow of trade.
- International financing
Students will study the latest developments in financial markets, monetary policy, exchange and interest rates along with their consequences for the risk management and finances of firms. Should a firm seek its financial backing for an international expansion in the parent or host country? To answer this question you will not just need knowledge of exchange rates and such but also need to understand the economic system of the host country. The type of service/product a firm has to offer often determines the course of action. Can financial backing for a certain sector be gotten at banks or is it more likely to be gotten in the form of private equities?
- International entrepreneurship
As for international entrepreneurship, students will take an in-depth look at different options for expanding abroad: opening branches or factories, outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. Students will deliberate the pros and cons of certain options. Is a joint venture desirable, or, as is the case in China, is it mandatory? What could hinder a merger? What activities could we outsource abroad without quality loss?
- Differences in institutions and culture
Students will come to understand that the success rate of cross border business is not just about economic principles but is also influenced by differences in institutions and culture of host and parent countries. Therefore, besides the firm's profitability, this Master’s specialisation also focuses on the differences in formal rules (institutions) and informal customs and forms of communication (culture). These aspects are relevant for almost all international organisational activities.
Important to note is that this Master’s specialisation is about the multinational firm and the economic, social and political environment it has to operate in. It is not about internal organisational processes, such as personnel management or account management. We focus on issues concerning global marketing and understanding the general international arena that these companies engage in. This knowledge enables students to determine if expansion to certain regions and economic systems is feasible or even desirable. Can we protect our intellectual property in country X? Is a joint venture our best option or is it our only option?
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ib
Do you see yourself in an international economic and business environment? Do you seek the challenge of a high-level practice-oriented education to realise your ambitions? The International Economics programme presents you with a wide range of topical global economic issues.
In this wide–ranging programme you will explore and analyse the progressive integration of national goods, labour and capital markets and the decline in the national barriers that separated them in the past. You will address the effects the increased interdependence of economies has on governments, firms, their managers and employees. In short, you will be guided to the frontiers of International Economics research in both theory and practice.
Rotterdam, port of Europe, is the city to acquire knowledge regarding international economics par excellence. Here at Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), you surround yourself with students from all nationalities who are as ambitious and inquisitive as you are. Here, you are taught by renowned researchers and leaders in business. A perfect combination for a successful global career.
Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) has long been involved in leading developments in teaching, policy and research in international economics and business. This specialisation is designed to continue this tradition. It equips you with the practical and analytical tools to work and excel in the field of international economics, for instance as a:
Do you have your eyes on the world? Do you share our students’ deep interest in all aspects of international economics and related business practices? Listen to their stories and decide if this is the programme for you.
Download the brochure here.
Does the growing influence of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICs) change the way the global political economy is governed? What are the political roots of global trade and finance? What is the impact of the international economy on inequality and development? Answering these questions requires you to combine economics and political science. In our Master’s specialisation in International Political Economy (IPE) you will uncover the economic and political dimensions of global issues and power struggles behind policy choices.
International Political Economy at Radboud University teaches you to go beyond the surface of daily news and to disentangle deeper global structures of economic growth and the distribution of wealth and power that underlie today’s problems of global economic governance. We challenge you to not only understand and explain ‘the world’, but to view and assess it from the perspectives of different stakeholders, while understanding the social and economic structures and institutions enabling or hindering them in pursuing their objectives.
International Political Economy at Radboud University combines approaches from (International) Economics and Political Science. We strongly believe that in order to grasp the complexity of many of today’s global issues it is essential to understand and combine the different approaches political scientists and economists take: the economic and financial crisis; the race for and exploitation of natural resources; attempts of national governments to deal with global change. The programme thus offers courses that combine both disciplines.
Alumni from economics and political science have positions as policy makers in businesses, international organisations, political parties, national ministries, market authorities, the European Parliament and the European Commission. They also work as consultants for profit and non-profit organisations and as researchers at think-tanks or universities. In addition alumni are employed by banks, other financial institutions and the media. This is because our graduates have the competences required by employers, such as sound research and analytical skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and experience in working in teams and working independently.
Visit http://www.ru.nl/masters/iae to find out all the details and start your application
