M.Sc. International Economics and Business

The M.Sc. International Economics and Business programme imparts in-depth expertise, skills and research methodology in micro- and macroeconomic theory as well as empirical economics with a focus on 'Global Economy, International Trade and Finance' and 'Governance, Institutions and Development'.
The methodological competences, while geared primarily to economic analysis, are enriched with business administration-specific elements. This degree programme comprises both German- and English-taught modules and can be completed entirely by attending only English-taught modules.

Features

• Focus on economics modules
• Strong involvement of empirical research (laboratory and field experiments as well as secondary data analysis)
• Includes selected modules on business administration and econometrics
• Interdisciplinary modules count towards the degree
• Excellent staff-student ratio due to small learning groups (about 20 to 30 students each year)
• Combines theory and practice
• Excellent reputation of the University's language courses
• Numerous global university partnerships

Programme syllabus

The programme is divided into seven module groups and the master's thesis module:

A: Core Courses (20–30 ECTS credits)

The core econometrics, macroeconomics and microeconomics courses impart the central techniques required for the subsequent stages of your degree programme.

B: Advanced Methods (a minimum of 10 ECTS credits)

In this module group, you will be acquainted with advanced quantitative methods in in-depth econometrics and behaviour-oriented courses.

C: Global Economy, International Trade and Finance (a minimum of 10 ECTS credits)

This module group comprises courses on globalisation, trade and finance. You will learn about theories and apply empirical methods to understand human decision-making processes concerning investments, location, trade and finance as well as their respective systemic interactions and ways of influencing economic policy.

D: Governance, Institutions and Development (a minimum of 10 ECTS credits)

In this module group you will learn about theories and apply empirical methods to understand development theory and policy; institutional design; the fight against corruption; ethics; fiscal policy; and health economics.

E: Business Administration (a maximum of 20 ECTS credits)

Further suitable business administration modules complement the knowledge acquired in module groups A to D.

F: Foreign Language with a business and economics focus (a maximum of 10 ECTS credits)

You will gain 10 ECTS credits in one of the following foreign languages offered by the Language Centre: Chinese, Czech, English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.

G: Interdisciplinary Modules (a maximum of 12 ECTS credits)

Give your degree profile its own interdisciplinary orientation whilst exploring the methodology and subject matters of other faculties' disciplines at an advanced level. You may study master's modules taught at the other faculties of the University of Passau and have them counted towards your degree.

Master's thesis

You will write your master's thesis on a topic from module group A, B, C or D. 20 ECTS credits are awarded when you pass the thesis module.

Career prospects

Economists work in a wide variety of occupations. Our graduates have been offered top-tier posts in academia and in the business world: executive posts in the private sector, in policy consultancies as well as in public-sector organisations and federal and state ministries. Many decide in favour of an academic career and follow up with doctoral study.

Test yourself to see whether this is the right programme for you