Multidisciplinary Economics at Utrecht University

Two-year Research Master's Programme
From upheavals in the housing market to high bonuses for bankers, from rising taxes to the global credit crisis, economics is no longer a straightforward matter of money and finance. Economics today is a multifaceted discipline with real impact on  global politics, law, and society.  In the Utrecht University MSc in Multidisciplinary Economics, you will  learn to cross the borders of economics into other scientific disciplines – a real strength of the Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) -  in order to provide sound research and applicable solutions to  real-world problems, now and in the future.
The two-year Research Master 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.

"Next to the thorough coverage of economic methodology, the strong interdisciplinary content of the Master has enabled me to look at economic issues from different perspectives." - Cherry Muijsson , MSc graduate."

Why in Utrecht:

A real-world perspective
The statement ‘the real-world perspective’ summarises succinctly U.S.E.’s mission. It indicates a strong awareness of the complex socio-economic reality: human behaviour is not always ‘rational’ and markets are not always in equilibrium. Institutions are important in understanding economic dynamics and so are the dimensions of time and space. The real world perspective leads to a multidisciplinary-economics approach, a research profile that favours crossing borders between academic disciplines, but also – within the economics discipline – between economics and business. U.S.E. aims to contribute to a society where people thrive, by taking a broad view on welfare and all factors involved. Well-being, cooperation, innovation and curiosity are the core values in the academic profile of U.S.E.

"The multidisciplinary context encourages you to look at complex economics issues from different perspectives."
Programme director dr. Kris De Jaegher

Our Research MSc programme in Multidisciplinary Economics:

• Is a unique multidisciplinary research degree in economics

In the programme Multidisciplinary Economics, you will  develop strong expertise in economics, at the same time exploring economics problems from the perspectives of other disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach enables you to look at economic issues from different perspectives, fosters critical thinking, and helps you to discover your own research interests. U.S.E.’s  approach to  research and education  aims at crossing borders between scientific disciplines, as well as between the disciplines of economics and of business.

• Allows you to tailor the programme to your own research interests and ambitions

The programme combines a solid foundation in economics and economic methodology with insights from different academic fields. The elective courses give you the opportunity to tailor your programme to your own interests and explore specific economic issues in more depth. In addition, you can choose from a range of additional elective courses offered at U.S.E., and at the University of Groningen in your second year if your own research interests are not covered by the options available at Utrecht University.

• Gives you all the benefits of being part of a small, exclusive programme and international research community

The programme is based around small lectures and tutorial classes, an ide<

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Multidisciplinary Economics at Utrecht University: Content

Click here to find more about the courses within the Multidisciplinary economics Programme.

The MSc in Multidisciplinary Economics takes two years and is worth a total of 120 EC. The academic year begins in September. The year is divided into two semesters, with each semester divided into two periods: semester 1 runs from September to January, and semester 2 runs from February to June.

Each period represents 15 EC. It typically comprises three courses, each of which represents 5 EC, with 1 EC requiring approximately 28 hours of classes and independent study.

Curriculum objective:
The research master in Multidisciplinary Economics aims at educating highly qualified economists who recognise that solving economic problems requires not only an excellent command of the most advanced techniques of economic analysis and a deep understanding of the most advanced economic theories.

Year Schedule
The MSc in Multidisciplinary Economics takes two years to complete and is worth a total of 120 EC. The academic year begins in September. The year is divided into two semesters, with each semester divided into two periods: semester 1 runs from September to January, and semester 2 runs from February to June.

Each period represents 15 EC. It typically comprises three courses, each of which represents 5 EC, with 1 EC requiring approximately 28 hours of classes and independent study. Professors and assistant professors of different expertise teach the courses.

 

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Multidisciplinary Economics at Utrecht University: Career

The MSc in Multidisciplinary Economics is a comprehensive and versatile degree that will leave you well prepared for a range of different careers. As a Research Master’s degree, it provides good preparation for a PhD; content from the MSc often contributes towards your PhD programme, reducing the time spent in the doctoral programme. In previous years, graduates from this programme have gone on to work on a PhD dissertation at various international universities. This MSc is also a great starting point for a research-oriented career in economics and finance.
 
Towards an academic career
Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) has an average of 12 PhD students, each working towards their doctoral degree under the supervision of a professor. As the second year of the Research Master’s in Multidisciplinary Economics covers material from the PhD programme, you can complete your doctoral programme in three rather than four years. During this time, you write and submit a thesis, and are encouraged and supported in establishing yourself as an academic researcher by publishing journal articles and contributing to local and international seminars and conferences.

Under the supervision of one or more specialists in the field, you are employed or  receive a grant to write a PhD dissertation on a (typically multidisciplinary) economics topic in which you become a specialist. Your research leads to publishable papers, and you become an academic at a university, or a research-oriented economist at a national or international organisation, bank, or financial institution (see further information below). Former Research Master’s students have become PhD candidates at Utrecht University, either within U.S.E. or at another UU department such as the Department of History and Art history; at another Dutch university such as University of Tilburg, Groningen University, Free University of Amsterdam; or at international universities such as Cambridge University, University of Edinburgh or the European University Institute Florence.

Towards a professional career
You may become an applied economist at a national or international organisation such as a ministry, a central bank, a private bank, or a financial institution. You will apply the academic knowledge you have acquired during your studies to concrete, real-life problems. Depending on the type of function, you may follow such a path immediately after completing the Research Master’s or after first having completed a PhD. Former Research Master’s students who pursued such a career currently work at organisations like the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis or at international banks (for example the Asian Development Bank).
 

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Multidisciplinary Economics at Utrecht University: Entry requirements

• A BSc in Economics or in a related field. Applicants with a strong mathematical background are encouraged to apply, although it may be necessary to attend a preparatory course in economics;
• A GPA of 3.4 or above (Dutch equivalent: 7.75 on a ten-point scale). Students with a GPA of 3.0-3.4 will also be considered for the MSc in Multidisciplinary Economics if they have a strong background in economics and additional experience in one of the programme’s related disciplines;
• A minimum score of 80% on the quantitative section of the GRE General tests (Princeton Graduate Record Exam). Students who will graduate at USE do not need to take the GRE General tests but their results in quantitative courses will be taken into account; and
• A good command of English. Check the specific English proficiency requirements below.

As part of your application to the programme, you should submit a clearly written statement of motivation that outlines your motivation for wanting to follow this particular Master’s programme and your future ambitions. An interview with the programme coordinator is part of the selection procedure. The admissions committee will make its final decision based on your ability, your commitment to the subject and your command of English.

English proficiency requirements
In order to successfully participate in this programme, you must be proficient in English. The following requirements apply */**:

• IELTS, Academic Module. Minimum score: 7.0 overall band, at least 6.0 for all components.
• TOEFL, iBT Minimum score: 96, at least 23 for writing and 20 for the other sections. Institutional scores are not accepted (the TOEFL institution code for Utrecht University is 9062).
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, at least a B grade.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, at least a C grade.

Deadline: 1st of June
 

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Übersicht der Masterstudiengänge - Utrecht University

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Why in Utrecht? - The real world perspective

The statement ‘the real-world perspective’ summarises succinctly U.S.E.’s mission. It indicates a strong awareness of the complex socio-economic reality: human behaviour is not always ‘rational’ and markets are not always in equilibrium. Institutions are important in understanding economic dynamics and so are the dimensions of time and space. The real world perspective leads to a multidisciplinary-economics approach, a research profile that favours crossing borders between academic disciplines, but also – within the economics discipline – between economics and business. U.S.E. aims to contribute to a society where people thrive, by taking a broad view on welfare and all factors involved. Well-being, cooperation, innovation and curiosity are the core values in the academic profile of U.S.E.

"The multidisciplinary context encourages you to look at complex economics issues from different perspectives."  Programme director dr. Kris De Jaegher
 
Our Research MSc programme in Multidisciplinary Economics:

• Is a unique multidisciplinary research degree in economics

In the programme Multidisciplinary Economics, you will  develop strong expertise in economics, at the same time exploring economics problems from the perspectives of other disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach enables you to look at economic issues from different perspectives, fosters critical thinking, and helps you to discover your own research interests. U.S.E.’s  approach to  research and education  aims at crossing borders between scientific disciplines, as well as between the disciplines of economics and of business.

The Tjalling C. Koopmans Research Institute (TKI) at U.S.E. cooperates closely with the Research Master’ s programme and focuses on the following three research areas, in addition to its core area of multidisciplinary economics:

• Institutions and welfare
• Sustainability and globalisation
• Business strategy and governance
• Allows you to tailor the programme to your own research interests and ambitions

The programme combines a solid foundation in economics and economic methodology with insights from different academic fields. The elective courses give you the opportunity to tailor your programme to your own interests and explore specific economic issues in more depth. In addition, you can choose from a range of additional elective courses offered at U.S.E., and at the University of Groningen in your second year if your own research interests are not covered by the options available at Utrecht University.

Gives you all the benefits of being part of a small, exclusive programme and international research community
The programme is based around small lectures and tutorial classes, an ideal environment for promoting peer interaction and ensuring you get the most from our high-quality academic staff. Besides this you will join  a close community of students who are  taking courses as one group. The mix of students and lecturers from the Netherlands and abroad gives the programme a unique international environment.
 
 

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Extracurricular opportunities

U.S.E. Academy
As a U.S.E. Master’s student you have the opportunity to attend lectures of fascinating and inspiring people, like CEO’s from large companies, scholars on issues of general interest or politicians on the economic challenges Europe faces today. In the past the U.S.E. Academy has featured guest lectures by, amongst others: Henk Jan Beltman, CCO Tony’s Chocolonely; Herman Wijffels, Chairman Utrecht Sustainable Finance Lab; and Panicos Demetriades, former Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus.

TKI seminars
The Tjalling C. Koopmans Institute (TKI) is the research institute and research school of Utrecht School of Economics. It was founded in 2003, and named after Professor Tjalling C. Koopmans, Dutch born Nobel Prize laureate in economics. TKI organises research seminars every Wednesday, in which fellows, including (Ph.D) students and international scholars,  are offered the opportunity to present and discuss their ongoing work.

Young Innovators
Are you curious, entrepreneurial, intellectually versatile, socially responsible? Do you want to get more out of your Master's programme, and learn to work across disciplinary boundaries to both research and actively (co-)create innovative initiatives that will make the world a little bit better? Then the Young Innovators honours programme (15 EC) might be of interest to you!

The programme will focus on exploring and designing innovations in three areas:

• Sustainable innovations in health
• Sustainable innovations in the economy
• Sustainable innovations in urban living

Utrecht University Business Course
Are you inspired and energised by solving complex problems? Do you want to develop your business skills and to experience what it is like to be an entrepreneur? Then the extracurricular Utrecht University Business Course (UUBC) is the honours programme for you! The course is aimed at Master’s students from all disciplines studying at Utrecht University.

The Utrecht University Business Course is a 12-week Master’s honours programme where 30 of Utrecht University’s best students will learn and improve their business skills. During the programme you will participate in workshops, work on projects within a multidisciplinary team of students and network with professors, experts, consultants and entrepreneurs.

The programme
The UUBC kicks off in February with an introductory weekend. You will receive professional training and form a team with which you will be working on assignments and projects throughout the course. The programme consists of 3 main elements:

• Pressure Cooker: valorise a business concept during a 2-week challenge.
• Business Analysis & Consultancy: acquire business analytical skills and build a solution for a current problem of an existing company.
• Entrepreneurship: step into the shoes of an entrepreneur by developing your own idea while being supported and coached by professionals.

Each segment of the programme ends with a team or individual presentation in front of a jury, with a grand finale held in the Academic Building at the end of the programme.
 

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