Competition and Master Regulation

The Master in Competition and Market Regulation at the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics is a comprehensive and at the same time specialized postgraduate program designed to equip students with the analytical skills, economic insights, and practical knowledge necessary to understand and address the complexities of competition policy, antitrust law, and market regulation. This program is ideal for individuals aiming to pursue careers in government agencies, European and national competition authorities, law firms, consulting companies, and international organizations focused on market regulation and economic analysis.

Throughout the curriculum, students engage with core topics such as the economics of competition, abuse of dominant position, monopolistic practices, merger analysis, and sector regulation. The program combines rigorous economic theory with real-world applications, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to analyze market structures, evaluate the impact of regulatory decisions, and design policies that foster competitive markets and consumer welfare. The coursework typically includes modules on microeconomic theory, industrial organization, game theory, econometrics, and law and economics, providing a multidisciplinary perspective essential for effective policy-making.

The program also emphasizes practical learning through case studies, simulations, and interaction with policymakers and industry experts.Students have opportunities to participate in seminars and workshops that explore current challenges in competition enforcement and regulation at the European and global levels. This practical orientation ensures that graduates can effectively communicate findings, develop strategic recommendations, and navigate the legal and economic frameworks governing market behavior.

The Master program is offered in a flexible format, accommodating the needs of international students and working professionals. It typically lasts one year and involves coursework, exams, and a final research project or thesis. The faculty comprises renowned economists and legal scholars specializing in competition law and economic regulation, providing students with mentorship and access to cutting-edge research.

Graduates of the Master in Competition and Market Regulation are equipped with the analytical rigor and practical expertise to contribute meaningfully to the design and enforcement of competition policy, ensuring fair and efficient markets. The program’s strong connections with national and European institutions also provide valuable networking opportunities, facilitating career development and collaborations in the field of market regulation. Overall, this program offers an excellent pathway for those committed to advancing economic fairness, consumer protection, and sustainable market practices through expert knowledge and policy application.

 Skills Acquired

• Orderly thinking in Economic concepts, especially Microeconomics, Industrial Economics, Information Economics, Game Theory, and Strategic Behavior
• Confidence in the fundamentals of competition law and its history
• Understanding of theory and models of regulation, and in particular the basic regulatory frameworks of main industrial sectors
• Ability to publicly present cases, and development of analytical skills for discussion and argument from different points of view
• Communication through written technical reports containing real data analysis, analysis of economic literature, and selected project themes
• Expert subject knowledge in discussion of formalized theory on competition policy 

Addressed to 

• Students with a background in Economics or Business with a strong interest in microeconomics
• Graduates in Engineering or Law who want to build their knowledge of economics, markets, and organizations
• Workforce professionals seeking in-depth training in competition and market regulation policies
• Researchers or professionals at antitrust authorities looking for advanced techniques and tools
• Aspiring PhD students looking for a rigorous economic master program in Competition Policy and Market Regulation

Prospective Employers

• Governmental and Regulatory Agencies
• Research Institutions and Consulting Firms
• Energy and Telecommunications Industries, among others
• Banking and Financial Institutions
• International and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

At the Barcelona GSE we look for excellence and talent. Key elements of a strong application are a high GPA, a sound statement of purpose and a standout reference letter. Strong knowledge in economics and good quantitative skills are also recommended.

The entry criteria for applicants are:

• An Undergraduate/bachelor/grado/laurea, or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university (for Bologna degrees, a minimum of 180 ECTS are required).
• A typical applicant would hold a University Diploma in Economics, Finance, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics or Business Administration. See our Student Profile for more detailed information.
• An advanced level of English language skills: TOEFL 90 and IELTS 6.5
• GRE exam is mandatory for the Data Science Program and highly recommended for those applicants to the Economics Program who want to be considered for the UPF PhD program (GPEFM).

Note that the fulfillment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Candidates will also be evaluated on the following admission criteria:

• Outstanding academic record
• Quantitative skills
• Reference letters

The Barcelona GSE is able to offer tuition waivers and fully-funded scholarships based on academic merit.

The financial aid that is available to students includes:

• Fully funded scholarships

• Waivers for 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of tuition fees

• Teaching assistantships

Financial aid will only be awarded to candidates that have an outstanding academic record. All candidates will automatically be considered for any available financial aid when they submit a completed application for a master program. 

While applications are open every year until June 25, preference in funding will be given to candidates who apply before January 15. 

In the Class of 2016, 34% of students were awarded with scholarships or tuition waivers.

Master degree awarded

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a Master Degree in Specialized Economic Analysis awarded jointly with Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF).

All Barcelona GSE master degrees have been recognized by the Catalan and Spanish Education authorities within the framework of the Bologna Process (in Spanish, “Master Universitario o Master Oficial”)