The Master's degree programme comprises four semesters (two years) and ends with the degree Master of Science. The entry requirement is a vocational university degree. The Master of Economics provides a comprehensive education in economic theory and econometrics and insights into the functioning of economies and economic policy decision-making. More information about the contents of the degree programme, the course of studies and how to apply for this programme can be found on the following page.
Master of Science in Economics
The degree programme is dedicated to theoretical and applied economics, in particular economic policy issues. It thus prepares students for a wide range of professional fields, for example in state or scientific institutions, administrations, European and international organisations and companies.
The interdisciplinary approach is characteristic of the degree programme. Sociological, regional science and legal aspects are integrated into the degree programme and enable the choice of a specialisation in
- Applied Econometrics
- Development Economics
- Environment and Sustainability
- Money, Credit and Banking
- Economic Policy.
The Master's degree programme in Economics is modularised and follows a clear structure. Here compulsory modules with a total of 40 credit points and compulsory elective modules with a total of 30 credit points must be completed. In addition, there is also a 30 credit point free elective area in which any Master's modules from Leipzig University can be studied or which can be used for a semester abroad. The recommended study schedule including a module overview structured according to focal points can be downloaded here.
Application requirements
- Bachelor's degree containing business and economic content
- Language skills: English B2
- Selection Procedure
Application documents
The following documents must be attached to your application:
- Letter of motivation;
- Curriculum vitae in tabular form;
- Proof of knowledge of the English language (B 2) - this proof can also be provided via the higher education entrance qualification (as a rule the Abitur), if this confirms at least seven years of school instruction in English up to graduation;
- Certificate of the first university degree (or a current overview of grades of the completed modules, the sum of which must generally be at least 120 CP) - this must be a university degree with predominantly management science and economic content;
- if applicable, work and/or internship certificates.
Deadlines
Please refer to the application section for the relevant application deadlines.
The faculty cannot provide any information regarding the application status during the running procedure. Your current application status can only be observed on AlmaWeb.
If you have any questions regarding the enrolment please contact the Student Office.
What are the admission requirements for the Master's degree programme in Economics? What regulations apply to enrollment in the master's degree programme that affect degrees similar to the subject and/or Bachelor's degrees from universities of applied sciences, or are an aptitude test or other achievements required?
The general qualification for the study programme is proven by a first higher education degree qualifying for entry to a profession. The additionally subject-specific admission requirements are:
- a completed Bachelor’s degree with predominantly business as well as economics content or a comparable degree (i.e. also from a university of applied sciences) or
- Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English according to level B2 of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching and Assessment". Knowledge of German is recommended.
No required exam or compulsory module of the Master's degree programme in Economics must have been definitively failed. This is usually the case if modules in question overlap by more than 50 percent.
All suitable applicants must participate in a selection interview.
Is the Master's degree programme in Economics admission restricted?
Yes, the Master's degree programme in Economics is admission restricted. Interested students who have obtained their professional university degree in Germany must apply via AlmaWeb. Applicants are selected on the basis of a two-stage selection process. Stage 1 consists of a review of the application documents. Suitable applicants are invited to stage 2, a personal interview. There is no written test.
What language skills are required for the Master's degree programme in Economics?
Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English according to level B2 of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching and Assessment". In order to prove the language level, it is sufficient to enclose the German Abitur certificate with the application, provided that English was taken at least as a basic course from the 7th to the 12th/13th grade. Applicants without a German Abitur or without the above-mentioned proof must present a language certificate (for example TOEFL) at the time of enrollment.
Are there any fees for the Master's degree programme?
No, there are no tuition fees. Only semester fees have to be paid.
Can the Master's degree programme in Economics be studied in English?
The Master of Economics can be studied in English, as all compulsory modules as well as numerous courses of all specialization areas are offered in English. Foreign applicants are recommended to have knowledge of the German language, as lectures are also held in German.
Is an online application possible?
The application is only possible via AlmaWeb (if you have obtained your Bachelor's degree at a German university). Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from abroad please note the information provided by the International Office.
Is it a problem if I do not yet have a certificate of my first university degree (e.g. Bachelor's degree) for my application?
No, please enclose a current transcript of records with your application. You have to provide proof of a first university degree qualifying for a profession (usually a Bachelor's degree) at the latest at the beginning of the Master's programme by submitting your Bachelor's degree certificate to the Student Office until 30 September of the year. If you have already completed your Bachelor's degree and have achieved all your achievements, but the issuing of your Bachelor's degree certificate is still pending, please use the form "Bestätigung über das Ablegen aller Prüfungsleistungen" (only in German available). If you are enrolled for the winter semester, the confirmation must be submitted by 30 September of the year at the latest. The certificate must then be submitted to the Student Office by 15.02. of the following year.
Do I have to register separately for the selection interview?
No, this is not necessary. You will be invited to attend if you meet the requirements.
What does the selection interview look like?
The applicants selected on the basis of the application documents will be invited to selection interviews in a second step. This is an interview in which the applicant's basic knowledge of economics and understanding of economic relationships are tested on the basis of technical questions. Current economic policy events may also be subject of the interview.
Is it possible to have previous study and examination achievements recognized?
Yes, as long as these study and examination achievements are at master's level, recognition is conceivable. You can find more information here.
Is it possible to study abroad?
Yes, further information can be found here.
Is it possible to complete the Master's degree programme at the faculty and then do a doctorate?
Basically yes, but the Master's degree programme and the doctorate are separate from each other. On the other hand, the Master's degree programme in Economics offers the best conditions for a doctorate in this field at Leipzig University, provided that the student's academic performance is very good.
You can apply for a study place in the Faculty's Master's degree programme by adhering to the deadlines and application guidelines.
The situation is a little different with regard to doctoral opportunities. Up to now, doctoral studies have largely been carried out through staff positions or similar. Therefore, capacities are limited. Doctoral opportunities must always be arranged with the respective subject representative. Further information can be found here.
Can students of other disciplines take modules at the Faculty of Economics and Management Science in the elective area?
Please refer to the examination regulations and information on enrollment on the study coordination page (there are also semester-specific notices on the subject cooperation agreement).
What are the requirements for a Bachelor's degree programme to be considered subject-related?
Basic knowledge in the subjects microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics and econometrics are important for the programme. Should you be able to prove this, it is an advantage for the application, but not absolutely necessary. Missing knowledge in individual subjects can - with a higher workload - be made up for in self-study.
What options do I have to make up for the basic knowledge in the subject Microeconomics?
It is possible to take the compulsory module "Advanced Microeconomics" in the third semester instead of the first semester and to bring forward a suitable elective module for it (an elective module that does not require attendance of the corresponding compulsory module). This gives you the time to acquire basic knowledge through self-study. The Bachelor lecture Microeconomics takes place in the summer term and can be attended if necessary with the approval of the responsible lecturer; however, it is not possible to acquire credit points here. This alternative study plan may conflict with a planned stay abroad. In the second and first week before the beginning of the semester, a blocked course is offered that teaches/repeats the main topics of the Bachelor Microeconomics. If you have further questions, you can also contact the Microeconomics Chair directly.
As literature for a self-study of the basics of microeconomics we recommend:
Harald Wiese (2010), Microeconomics, Springer: Heidelberg, New York, 5th edition.
Please also consult the web pages of the Microeconomics chair, especially for the preparatory course "Intermediate Micro".
What possibilities do I have to catch up on the basic knowledge in the subject Macroeconomics?
The Bachelor lecture Macroeconomics takes place in the winter term and can be attended if necessary with the approval of the responsible lecturer; however, it is not possible to acquire credit points here. You can then attend the regular master's course in the second term. If you have further questions, you can also contact the Chair of Macroeconomics directly.
As literature for a self-study of the basics of macroeconomics we recommend:
Burda, M. and C. Wyplosz (2009), Macroeconomics - A European Text, Oxford University Press: Oxford, 5th edition.
What options do I have to catch up on the basic knowledge in statistics?
It is possible to take the compulsory module Statistics in the third term instead of in the first term and to bring forward a suitable elective module for it (an elective module that does not require attendance of the corresponding compulsory module). This gives you the time to acquire basic knowledge through self-study. The Bachelor lecture Statistics takes place in the winter term and can be attended if necessary with the approval of the responsible lecturer; however, it is not possible to acquire credit points here. This alternative study plan may conflict with a planned stay abroad. Please note that the subjects Statistics and Econometrics are only examined together in the Master's degree programme! If you have further questions, you can also contact the Professorship of Statistics directly.
As literature for a self-study of the basics of statistics we recommend:
Fahrmeir, L., R. Künstler, I. Pigeot and G. Tutz (2009), Statistics - The way to data analysis, Springer: Heidelberg, New York, 7th edition.
What options do I have to catch up on the basic knowledge in the subject Econometrics?
It is possible to take the compulsory module Econometrics in the third term instead of the first term and to bring forward a suitable elective module for it (an elective module that does not require attendance of the corresponding compulsory module). This gives you the time to acquire basic knowledge through self-study. The Bachelor lecture Econometrics takes place in the summer term and can be attended if necessary with the approval of the responsible lecturer; however, it is not possible to acquire credit points here. This alternative study plan may conflict with a planned stay abroad. Approximately one week before the start of the term, a blocked course is offered that teaches/repeats standard econometric methods. Please note that the subjects Statistics and Econometrics are only examined together in the Master's degree programme! If you have further questions, you can also contact the Chair of Econometrics directly.
As literature for a self-study of the basics of econometrics we recommend:
Komlos, J. and Bernd Süssmuth (2010), Empirical Economics. An introduction to methods and applications, Springer: Heidelberg, New York.
Is it possible to take semesters off during the Master's degree programme for internships or similar?
Yes, this is possible. Up to two semesters of leave can be taken during the Master's degree programme.