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Master of Science in Economics,
Major in Economic Policy
(MScECON)
Programme objectives
The MScECON programme provides students with the opportunity to acquire an extensive knowledge in economics at the
advanced level while specializing in economic policy analysis.
The emphasis is put on core competencies which are directly
applicable to the workplace. The programme content is based
on solid theoretical underpinnings and cutting-edge skills
while covering a wide range of policy applications.
Acquired skills
The Master of Science in Economics, Major in Economic
Policy, provides students with a unique opportunity to
follow a challenging graduate programme in a first-class
Swiss institution with a focus on applied economics, and
develop the skills required for a well-grounded economic
policy analysis using appropriate theoretical and empirical tools. The originality of the programme is its focus on
the economic role of the State, with an appropriate mix of
lecturers combining both academic rigor and real world
expertise. Economic and financial problems are heavily
debated in modern medias, but even though crucial, the
role of State interventions in market-based economies
is often difficult to identify and evaluate. Economics is
the key discipline to understand the in-depth rationale
of such interventions. Students are made familiar with
economic tools and reasoning, so that they can identify quickly and confidently what are the main issues,
the relevant orders of magnitude, and the most efficient
remedies. From climate change to population ageing, a
large array of topics are discussed and analysed, in order
to enlarge the understanding and the advisory capacity of
our graduate students.
Career opportunities
The training provided by the MScECON is tailor-made for
subsequent employment in public entities at all levels,
international organizations and NGOs. These competencies are also of interest for private firms, including
financial institutions, which often need in-house expertise
in economic analysis. Graduates willing to pursue their
studies immediately after their Master’s degree or after
acquiring a few years of professional experience can do
so by joining a doctoral programme in a Swiss or foreign
institution of higher education.
Degree awarded
Master of Science in Economics, Major in Economic Policy
Credits
90 ECTS, 3 semesters
Teaching language
English
Admission conditions
The Master of Science in Economics programme is open
to holders of a Bachelor’s degree in economics, business,
political and social sciences, exact and natural sciences
as well as engineering delivered by a Swiss university or a
degree considered equivalent, subject to prior evaluation of
the application by the admission committee. Highly motivated candidates who do not hold a degree in economics or
business but who possess a solid basis in core economic
disciplines can be admitted directly conditional upon
attending special preparatory modules organized during
the summer before the first semester. Those who show
larger deficiencies in terms of their economics background
are required to complete a “catch-up” programme (two
semesters maximum) before embarking on the regular
MScECON curriculum. Fluency in English is required.
Application deadline
April 30 for the Autumn semester (mid-September)
Upon request: november 30 for the Spring semester
(mid-February)
Registration
Bureau des immatriculations
Av. du 1er-Mars 26
CH-2000 Neuchâtel
www.unine.ch/immatriculation
Information
Institute of Economic Research
Phone: +41 32 718 14 00
[email protected]
www.unine.ch/mscecon
September 2016
Course structure
In contrast to the majority of comparable programmes,
the MScECON is normally completed in 3 semesters only,
the last semester being devoted to the thesis and therefore not requiring class attendance. Motivated students
can even finish the programme within a year by starting
to work on the thesis during the first two semesters.
Thanks to the concentration of most lectures on 3-4 days
per week, the central location of Neuchâtel and its excellent railway connections, the programme can be easily
attended by commuters. Upon request, the curriculum can
be completed on a part-time basis for those who pursue a
professional activity in parallel.
Interactive teaching
Covering a wide spectrum of areas, the programme ensures
that students acquire the knowledge corresponding to the
needs of their future employers and are therefore immediately and fully prepared for employment upon graduation.
Through the realization of the Master’s thesis, students are
trained to become autonomous researchers. They can also
choose to combine their master’s thesis with an internship
in a public or private institution.
Thanks to their small size which facilitates teacher-student
interactions, the University of Neuchâtel and its Faculty of
Economics offer exceptionally favourable conditions for a
successful and timely completion of studies. Throughout
the programme, students enjoy maximum support and
close supervision by the teaching staff. All courses are
interactive and promote active student participation. An
online evaluation system allows students to express their
views on the courses they attended and make suggestions
for further improvement.
Master’s Programme
Semester 1 Autumn (30 ECTS)
• Macroeconomic Policy Analysis
• Economic Statistics
• Public Finance
• Political Economy
• Public Sector Economics
• Global Public Goods
• Elective courses
Semester 2 Spring (30 ECTS)
• Applied Econometrics
• Research Methodology
• Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
• Economics of Taxation
• Economics of Regulation and Antitrust Policy
• Social Policy
• Innovation & Science and Technology Policies
• Elective courses
Semester 3 (30 ECTS)
Master’s thesis or internship
Electives courses
• Readings in Economic Policy
•Econometrics
• International Operations and Logistics
• Data Mining
• Data Warehousing
• Corporate Finance
•Programming
• Energy Economics