Economics (Pantheon-Sorbonne)

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The Faculty of Economics at Pantheon-Sorbonne University is one of the most reputed Economics departments in France and in the world. In this highly selective educational setting, a new quality education program has been adapted since 2007 for international students wishing to do their Master studies in Economics at the Sorbonne : the PSME.

A program custom-made for international students wishing to study Economics at the Sorbonne.

The PSME program is a first year of Graduate Studies (Diplôme Universitaire), which offers Economics courses taught in English, together with intensive courses in French. The Economics courses correspond to a full program of courses taught in the first year of graduate studies, at what is known as the M1 level in the Bologna European Academic System. The thesis which has to be prepared for the end of the first year corresponds to a MSc thesis. French courses are intended to prepare PSME students to enroll in the 2nd year of Masters studies (M2 level, MPhil) in French. PSME may apply to the regular M2 programs offered by the University of Paris with classes in French and English. Hence, former PSME students who get to the 2nd year level can access one of the most comprehensive M2 programs existing in France, which includes more than 100 different courses, structures in about 20 specialized programs. You can find details about these courses on the website of the University Paris 1.

Origin of students

The teaching staff of the faculty of economics of Paris Pantheon-Sorbonne University is about 130 strong and has a wide array of international cooperation throughout the world, which guarantees a high-level and internationally recognized training. In addition to coursework, students will have the opportunity to participate in several conferences/debates with leading international economists, organised year round by the University.

Hence, from the very beginning, the PSME has become a fully global program, highly demanded all over the world. Thus far the PSME has recruited students from over 60 countries : Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Italy, Indonesia, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mali, Mexico, Moldavia, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palestine, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, UK, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam. The biggest inflows of students are from China, the European Union, Russia, USA and South America.

An excellence program

The number of students is limited to assure quality teaching and recruitment of outstanding students. Only students with a solid background in Economics are admitted. During this first year, students are given further training both in general-purpose economics, i.e. macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics (Fall semester) and in more specialized fields (Spring semester). While the general training gives the necessary foundation for graduate studies in economics, the specialized courses will help students choose a specialization for their second year.

Students will thus have the opportunity to discover the wide variety of master programs in economics offered by Paris 1 through specially-designed introductory courses taught in English, covering Finance, International and Development Economics, Public Economics, Theoretical Economics, Enterprise and Human Resources, Health Economics or History and Method of Economics.

For students who have shown a good performance in their French course, the possibility to take classes taught in French already exists for the second semester.

To obtain the degree, each student must pass 60 ECTS credits. ECTS means «European Credit Transfer System». To know more about ECTS, please click here.

The PSME curriculum includes a comprehensive treatment of modern theory and empirical techniques. Students receive general training through core courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, economic growth and econometrics (Fall semester courses), as well as in more specialized fields (Spring semester courses). The general training gives the foundations necessary for graduate studies in economics, and exposure to applied fields will help students wishing to choose a specialization for their second year.

Specially-designed field courses include Finance, European Integration, Development and Transition Economics, Industrial Organization, History of Economic Thought, Political Economy, Economics of Organizations, Labor Economics, and Population Economics.

In addition to classical training in economic theory, the students will also learn French, at beginner, intermediate, or advanced level, depending on their initial fluency in French.

Given that the student has shown a sufficient improvement in French as a foreign language, the possibility to take one or two courses thaught in French from other Sorbonne Economics Programs exists.

All Economics Lectures are held in small classes of no more than 60 students. Tutorials are organised in smaller classes (no more then 20 students) for all courses within the first semester, to help students understand the courses and do exercises. French courses are given in classes of about 20 students.

All students prepare an extended essay (M1 dissertation) during the second semester. The dissertation has to be prepared with one of the PSME Professors as a supervisor.

You will have access to your course websites via the Paris 1 intranet once enrolled at cours.univ-paris1.fr.

After the Diploma

In most European countries, the Master is in two years. The first year, called M1, is normally followed by a second year, called M2.

The PSME program is a M1 program. After this year you can obtain a certificate corresponding to the old French "Maitrise". In France, there is a selection process at the end of the M1, to enter the M2 programs. Foreign students graduating from our PSME program will be allowed to apply to all specialized M2 programs in economics, as if they were French students. Entrance into some M2 programs, which have large numbers of candidates, is highly selective; for other programs the selection process is less severe.

A student who has obtained good results for his M1 is normally recruited without difficulty in M2s. The PSME M1 program for foreign students is specifically designed to help foreign students enter the French system, and serious PSME M1 students (who are already selected to enter this M1 level) succeed without difficulty in the competition to enter the M2 level.

More and more M2 programs are taught in English, but having learned French during the PSME year remains an asset since some courses are still taught in French.

Lecturers

The Professors teaching and guiding their students in the PSME program are amongst the top Professors of France and around the world.

To apply for the Panthéon-Sorbonne Master's degree in Economics, students must provide the following: * A detailed CV in English; * A cover letter describing interest in the programme, accomplishments, and future plans (max: one page); * Certified English translations of their academic transcripts and a copy of their Bachelor's Degree in Economics; * An English language certificate: TOEFL scores (no older than 3 years, at least 550 for PBT; 80 for IBT; 213 for computer-based test) of at least 550 or another certificate deemed to be equivalent. If available, the TOEFL can be substituted by: PTE with an academic score of at least 54 or IELTS with an average score of at least 6.5; * Two letters of recommendation, each in an envelope signed across the seal by the recommending professor; * A copy of your passport; * The application formSelection ProcedureWe examine applications on an on-going basis. We provide our first batch of responses in January. Once we have received the complete hard copy of your application, we will give you an answer by e-mail within one month (for applications received January-May. Hence the earlier you apply, the better your chances of acceptance. If you do not hold a BA in economics but you have studied math and economics, you may still apply. The admission committee will decide if you have enough economic background for the PSME program. If you come from a good university and you are in the first quarter of your class, you have a good chance to be admitted. Your proficiency in English is essential for the PSME program. If your mother tongue is English or you have been studying in English, you are exempted from providing an English certificate. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 80

Scholarship and Financial AidsThe University Paris 1 does not provide any scholarships but students can directly apply to their embassy or one of the following addresses according to their origins:

- Eiffel Scholarship:

The French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs launched the Eiffel excellence scholarship programme support French centres of higher education in their international outreach initiatives, in a context of mounting competition among developed countries to attract elite students from overseas. It is a very selective scholarship. Students accepted by this programme receive 1180 euros/month. This scholarship is priority for students from emerging countries. The PSME agrees to reduce Eiffel Scholarship-holders tuition fee.

- Scholarship Master Ile-de-France/ Scholarship Master Ile-de-France-Europe:

This is a regional scholarship for foreign students from certain areas of the cooperation of Ile-de-France. Students who apply for this programme should:

* Scholarship Master Ile-de-France:Have followed, the year preceding the application, a course of higher education in one of the following countries (South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Mauritania, Russia) or one of the priority areas of cooperation (Canada - Montreal region, Hungary - Budapest, Lebanon - city of Beirut, Madagascar - city of Antananarivo, Mali - Keyes region, Morocco - Casablanca region, Mauritania - Nouakchott, Poland - Warsaw city, Senegal - Dakar, Vietnam - Hanoi).

* Scholarship Master Ile-de-France-Europe: Have followed, the year preceding the application, a course of higher education in one of one of member states of the European Union.

* Have the nationality of the country.

* Have a good knowledge of French (oral and written).

Be enrolled in a degree of master (M1 or M2) in an institution of higher education in Ile-de-France