Master of Science in Economics, Economics, general profile
Summary
This programme provides a rigorous and broad education in economics, combining economic theory with advanced data analysis and quantitative methods. You will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address complex economic and societal challenges. You will graduate with strong analytical skills and be well prepared for a career as a professional economist in the private or public sector, or for further academic study at PhD level.
Other
About
Get an education that prepares you for the future
We offer a well-balanced programme with courses that give you both deep theoretical knowledge and practical tools to analyse quantitative data that equip you well for the future – whether you will work in policy, academia, or in private industries. We now offer an updated and revised MSc program in Economics (soon open for applications) where we offer courses in modern data science in addition to traditional and rigorous courses in economic theory.
You will thus get a solid ground in both economic theory and quantitative methods such as econometrics and data analysis. Apart from our elective courses in economics, you may choose from the large variety of courses offered by Graduate School. A specific opportunity is that you have the option to do an internship within the programme.
Many of the courses will include seminars, discussions, groupwork, and presentations. Together with teachers and fellow students you will create your knowledge, and you will get to improve your communication skills – oral as well as written.
International Environment
Economics is an international field, and with that comes an international job market once you have your degree. In our programme, you will meet students and teachers from all over the world and may gain even more international experience by choosing to go abroad for an exchange semester at any of our many partner universities. More programme specific information about possibilities to study abroad can be found under Exchange opportunities.
Programme structure and content
The first semester builds on the knowledge you acquired during your undergrad studies and focuses on the building blocks that are essential to all economic analysis: Mathematics, and Micro- and Maceoeconomics, courses similar to those taught in most MSc programmes in Economics. The last course equips you with essential tools in data science and statistics for analysing economic data using Python. These core courses deepen your theoretical and methodological knowledge and will be a basis for the rest of your education and for your future career.
The second semester starts with an econometrics course, and then follows more specific and deepening core courses, that equip you with the modern quantitative skills and theoretical knowledge that are essential for today’s economists.
The third semester contains elective courses that provide the opportunity to both specialise and broaden your knowledge. Regardless of your interests, there are courses that suit you – pure economics, further data science, or more interdisciplinary courses. You may also choose to do an internship with a firm or an organisation during part of the semester, and if you want to go abroad for an exchange semester, you do that during the third semester.
The fourth semester is entirely dedicated to the master’s degree project, where you apply your acquired knowledge and skills to intensely work on a specific task. You will analyse relevant economic questions and have the opportunity to let the thesis reflect the knowledge you built throughout previous semesters. More information about programme structure and content
Who should apply?
This programme is for you if you:
- Want a broad and valuable education that combines rigorous economic theory with modern quantitative methods.
- Are curious and motivated to deepen your analytical skills and critical thinking.
- Want to be intellectually challenged in an ambitious academic environment.
- Are interested in sustainability and how economics can help address future societal challenges.
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognized university?and English 6/English B from Swedish upper secondary school or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test.
The applicant?s university education must include:
i. 60 credits in Economics
ii. 15 credits in Statistics, or 7.5 credits in Statistics and 7.5 credits in Quantitative methods and/or Mathematics
iii. 7.5 credits in Econometrics or equivalent (credits in Econometrics may be included in the general statistics requirement).
The admission requirements listed above apply for admission to the programme. For continued studies within the programme individual courses might have specific requirements, as provided in each course syllabus.
Special instructions for application
Find out more on how to apply to the master's programme.
More information about Special instructions for application
Selection
Applicants who meet the entrance requirements (general and programme specific) are divided into 3 groups. First, all places are allocated to applicants in group 1. If any places are left, they are distributed to applicants in group 2, and thereafter to applicants in group 3.
Group 1 is applicants with a GMAT score. Applicants are ranked by their GMAT score result. For further information: minimum GMAT score, last date to write GMAT etc.
Group 2 is applicants ranked by their personal motivation application. For further information: instructions, last day to submit documents etc.
Group 3 is applicants ranked by number of university credits (ECTS). Applicants are ranked by number of credits reported on the last day for application (max. 165 ECTS).
If several applicants have the same merit rating the selection of students is made by ballot.
Applicants with test results/motivation application that do not meet the minimum are placed in selection group 3.
After graduation
Graduates of the programme receive a degree of Master of Science in Economics.
After graduation, the vast majority of our students get qualified employments. Reflecting the scope of the programme, our graduates find positions within a broad range of private industries and public and international organizations, such as:
- Economists or project leaders at Volvo, PwC, Riksbanken, Ministry of Finance, and the World Bank
- Environmental economists at COWI AB and Havs- och Vattenmyndigheten
- Programme officer at UN Environment
- Health economists at TLV, Folkhälsomyndigheten, Region Västra Götaland, and industry
- Financial advisors at Danske Bank and Nordea
- Analysts at Skolinspektionen, Statistic Sweden, and EQT Group
- The Master's program in Economics is also excellent preparation for an academic career. Several students have gone on to study at doctoral level and now have successful academic careers.
More information about after graduation
Facilities
The School of Business, Economics and Law is located in the city center of Gothenburg, close to the historical quarters in Haga. The main building at Vasagatan houses the Economics Library, which is several floors high and offers many study places. The building is usually nicknamed "Handels".
More information about facilities
Exchange opportunities
Many of our students choose to go on exchange. By studying abroad, you will be given the opportunity to experience a new academic environment, new culture and gain new experiences and perspectives. The School of Business, Economics and Law and the University of Gothenburg collaborate with a large number of partner universities all over the world.
More information about exchange opportunities
Internship
If you choose the general profile, you have the opportunity to do an internship for ten weeks as part of the education. An internship can build a bridge between the academic courses and working life and is much appreciated among our students. You could do an internship with a firm, public authority or other organization or, you may be a research assistant at the economics department, where you will be practically involved in some research project. In either case, you will make use of your knowledge gained during the courses and apply it more hands-on and perhaps get an idea for your master thesis and even get a job after your studies.
