Course Structure
The MScE programme includes a total of four semesters. The first three comprise a collection of compulsory and elective courses; the fourth is entirely dedicated to the Master's thesis.
- First Semester
Students take on a series of foundation courses aimed at reviewing key economic concepts at a technical level, which continue on from third-year undergraduate courses in economics. This involves studies in advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematics and econometrics. If they are so inclined, students may opt to take an economic policy seminar instead of the course in mathematics. - Second Semester
Courses in advanced theory begin, supplementing the knowledge gained during semester one in order to comprehensively cover the main areas of modern economics, and provide students with many of the analytical tools required to carry out their own research. - Third Semester
Students take a series of applied courses in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. It is also possible to spend the third semester abroad at one of our numerous partner universities across the globe. - Fourth Semester (Master's Thesis)
The student's time in this semester is dedicated to their Master's Thesis, which is researched and written upon a subject of their choice with agreement and under supervision of a member of the DEEP (in case of an external supervisor, a member of the DEEP should be specified as external examiner in advance and validated by both the supervisor and the MScE Director). Alternatively, a student may opt to undertake an internship and write an internship thesis as opposed to an ordinary research thesis. - Please click accordingly for examples of recent internship and research theses.
- The thesis may be submitted at any point during the fourth Semester. Early completion frees up the students time, allowing those with Doctoral aspirations to take advantage of the fast track into the Swiss Program for Beginning Doctoral Students in Economics at the Study Center Gerzensee. (This also means that the overall duration of the programme can range from 18 to 24 months.)
Work and Credit Allocation
Successful completion of the MscE programme is dependent upon the achievement of 120 ECTS credits, which are allocated as follows:
- 90 credits awarded for the first three semesters of coursework
- 30 credits for the Master's thesis (contingent upon the earning of the initial 90 credits)
A typical six-credit MScE course represents four hours of lectures and supervised exercises per week, over a 14-week semester. Students should allow up to eight additional hours per week per six-credit course for individual preparation and revision.
It is important that you read the MScE program regulations attentively (in French only).
Preparatory Courses
Students without a strong background in Economics may require either a semester or year (French pdf) of preparatory courses, prior to beginning the Master's curriculum.
Part-time Study
Students interested in taking the MScE on a part-time basis should see the part-time course structure here.
