Master in Economic Research

CERGE-EI (Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute) is a joint workplace of Charles University (Faculty of Social Sciences) and the Economics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

We currently offer following programs:

Master in Economic Research is a 2-year western-style program designed for students interested in applied economic research and public policy. The aim of this program is to prepare students for their careers in public policy institutions (central banks, ministries, government advisory bodies), international organizations, think-tanks, and private sector companies. Graduates receive a Czech degree fully accredited by Charles University.

PhD in Economics is a western-style program designed for outstanding students interested in economic research and who desire a rigorous graduate education in Economics at a prestigious international institution. Similar to top western institutions, the program consists of two years of MA-level coursework and two or more years of dissertation research. After two years, students receive a US MA in Economics degree. Graduates receive both US and Czech doctoral degrees. The majority of students receive a tuition waiver and a living stipend.

Students of MA in Economic Research function as full-time students for the whole duration of their studies, and are strongly recommend to devote full-time effort to their study plan.

Students must accumulate 120 ECTS:
- 39 from passing compulsory courses
- 72 from passing elective courses from a specified list
- 9 from optional courses (CERGE-EI elective courses or courses of other departments of Charles University)

First Year

During their first year, students follow a set curriculum that provides a strong theoretical and empirical foundation in economic theory and its applications. Students cannot select their elective courses in the first year. In the spring semester, students register their planned MA thesis topic and supervisor.

Second Year

In their second year, students must pass two compulsory subjects – Research Writing II and the Master Thesis Seminar. The rest of their classes are electives and optional courses – we recommend that students enroll in 2 to 3 elective economics subjects per semester. At the end of their second year, students complete their studies and defend their MA thesis.

CERGE-EI (Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute) is a joint workplace of Charles University and the Economics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Global Impact and Reputation

CERGE-EI IS ranked in the top 5% research institutions worldwide by the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) and Research Papers in Economics (RePEc). It is the Central and East European Regional Network representative for the Global Development Network (GDN) – a leading worldwide network of policy and research institutes in the area of development economics.

CERGE-EI graduates pursue academic careers in prestigious university departments around the world, such as Max Planck Institute, Tilburg University or New York University, hold high-level positions in international organizations, including the World Bank, IMF, government ministries, central banks, think tanks, and private sector organizations. Many find jobs in international business sectors, including major banks and consulting firms such as Moody’s Analytics, EY, or Erste Group.

CERGE-EI operates under Charles University, the oldest university in Central Europe, ranked among the top 150 universities in Economics and Econometrics by the 2022 QS World University Ranking by Subjects, the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 (Shanghai Ranking), and World University Rankings 2022 by Subject (Times Higher Education Ranking). The overall ranking of Charles University according to the QS World Rankings 2023 is #288.

Western-style Graduate Economics Education

CERGE-EI has an absolute charter issued by the New York State Board of Regents in the United States, and is fully accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports of the Czech Republic.

Master in Economic Research is a 2-year western-style program designed for students interested in applied economic research and public policy. The aim of this program is to prepare students for their careers in public policy institutions (central banks, ministries, government advisory bodies), international organizations, think-tanks, and private sector companies.

Educational background requirements

The program’s graduates will have mastered complex technical tools enabling them to independently conduct theoretical and empirical research in economics. Graduates gain knowledge of advanced microeconomic, macroeconomic, and econometric models and specialized knowledge of advanced theoretical and econometric methods, as well as knowledge of state-of-the-art economic research in their chosen area of expertise. Graduates further gain knowledge of advanced mathematical methods, the ability to use statistical and computational programs and to both passively and actively use English in order to carry out economic professions at the international level, and the ability to present research results in both oral and written form at a high academic level.