The program spans four semesters (two years) and concludes with the Master of Science degree. The Master’s in Economics offers a wide range of topics as well as excellent training in methods and theory. You will learn to quantitatively analyze current economic issues using various approaches and, upon completion of the program, will be able to formulate economic policy recommendations. Part of the program can be completed at Keio University in Tokyo or at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Additionally, it is possible to obtain a double master’s degree with Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. The Research Internship module (5 ECTS) provides an opportunity to work on your own research project at a collaborating research institute.
You will qualify for professional roles in
- national and international organizations (e.g., central banks, the World Bank, IMF, OECD, federal or state ministries, NGOs),
- private companies,
- research institutions, and
- academic research.
Master's Program in Economics (VWL/Economics)
The program is characterized by a broad range of topics and excellent training in methods and theory. In the core modules Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, and Advanced Econometrics and Statistics, you will acquire the skills needed to understand and analyze economic relationships quantitatively. Following the core modules, the elective section (mandatory electives and free electives) allows for specialization in the following areas:
- Applied Econometrics
- Development Economics
- Environment and Sustainability
- Money, Credit and Banking
- Economic Policy.
The Master's degree program in Economics is modularised. 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 Master's modules from other faculties at 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 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 program in Economics?
The general qualification for the study program 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.
Is there an aptitude test?
All suitable applicants must participate in a selection process.
Is the Master's degree program in Economics admission restricted?
Yes, the Master's degree program 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 selection process.
What language skills are required for the Master's degree program 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 program?
No, there are no tuition fees. Only semester fees have to be paid.
Can the Master's degree program in Economics be studied in English?
The Master of Economics can be studied in English. Foreign applicants are recommended to have knowledge of the German language.
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 program 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.
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 program at the faculty and then do a doctorate?
Basically yes, but the Master's degree program and the doctorate are separate from each other. On the other hand, the Master's degree program 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 program 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 program to be considered subject-related?
Basic knowledge in the subjects microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics and econometrics are important for the program. 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?
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. 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?
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. Please note that the subjects Statistics and Econometrics are only examined together in the Master's degree program! 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?
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. 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 program! 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 program for internships or similar?
Yes, this is possible. Up to two semesters of leave can be taken during the Master's degree program.