Economics

The Master's programme in Economics at Kiel University imparts methodical skills related to various fields of economics and a broad, sound and critical knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, plus a command of various sectors of applied economics. The main objective of the Master's course is to enable graduates to discuss and interpret the essential concepts and methods used in the economic sciences, evaluate the main research methods employed in the field, draw upon the knowledge they have acquired to deal independently with complex situations, and develop and implement ideas of their own. Graduates will have a sound command of advanced methods in both model-theoretical and empirical/quantitative analysis and will be able to analyse economic problems, assess economic arguments and conduct empirical investigations displaying a relatively high degree of complexity. In addition, they will possess a critical understanding of the economic concepts and methods they have learned.

Educational organisation

The Master's programme is organised in five parts:

• Core Courses in Economics (20 ECTS-CP)
• Core Courses in Econometrics (10 ECTS-CP)
• Specialisation Courses in Economics (50 ECTS-CP)
• Minor Subject (10 ECTS-CP)
• Master's Thesis (30 ECTS-CP)

During the first semester the core courses in Economics and Econometrics, Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics and Econometrics I are obligatory.

The second and third semesters focus on the specialisation courses in Economics. Students choose ten specialisation modules (seven lectures and three seminar modules) from various fields of Economics:

• Applied Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics & Growth
• Theory of Financial Economics
• International Economics
• Spatial Economics
• Public Economics
• Environmental & Resource Economics

Furthermore, students choose a minor subject from another discipline. This minor subject can be Business, Computational Sciences, Business Information Systems, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Agricultural Economics or Empirical Economics. (At the moment, Empirical Economics is the only minor subject in which English is guaranteed as the teaching language.)

The fourth semester is reserved for completion of the Master's thesis.

Forms of assessment

Written exams, oral exams, term papers, presentations, Master's thesis

Course objectives

Graduates will be equipped with key qualifications and the social skills relevant for both academic work and more practically oriented professions in the world of public administration, organisations, business and industry. These include the ability to plan working processes without assistance, to present material in an appropriate manner, and to communicate and cooperate with others.

Language requirements

Proof of English language skills by either C1/CEFR, TOEFL IPT (paper-based test): 550 points or an equivalent test or Bachelor's degree in a programme in which the language of instruction was English

Academic requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a Bachelor's degree or a comparable university degree (minimum grade 2.5) with a regular period of university education of three years or more and 180 ECTS credit points or more.
35 out of 180 credit points of the Bachelor's degree must have been attained in courses on principles of economics (i.e. courses on microeconomic theory and courses on macroeconomic theory) with no overlapping in substance and in courses on quantitative methods with no overlapping in substance.
At least 15 out of 180 total credit points of the Bachelor's degree must be composed of credit points from courses on quantitative methods (mathematics, statistics, econometrics).
Applicants with a minimum overall grade of 3.0 may also be eligible to the Master's programme in Economics if the weighted average grade (weighted with the credit points) from courses in economics and on quantitative methods is at least 2.5.

Enrolment fees

An enrolment fee ("Einschreibegebühr") currently amounting to 55 EUR is charged for the first enrolment at Kiel University.
A semester contribution ("Semesterbeitrag") currently amounting to approx. 120 EUR must be paid each semester. This covers free public transport ("Semesterticket"), reduced lunch prices, and other financial benefits for students.
For the latest information, see: www.studium.uni-kiel.de/de/studium-organisieren/studienangelegenheiten/rueckmeldung

Costs of living

Monthly expenses in Kiel (e.g., for housing, food) range between 700-800 EUR, depending on individual needs.

Arrival support

The International Center at Kiel University offers a wide range of services and will support international students with any questions related to a successful arrival in Kiel.
See: http://www.international.uni-kiel.de/en

Services and support for international students

The International Center at Kiel University offers a wide range of services.
See: http://www.international.uni-kiel.de/en

Accommodation

Accommodation in Kiel is available through the office for student affairs ("Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein") or on the private market. Looking for a place to stay in a foreign country is not always easy. The office for student affairs supports students seeking accommodation at reasonable prices and is continually improving the quality and standard of the residence halls.
In general, the chances of obtaining a room in a residence hall can be improved by submitting an application form before 15 June. The rent depends on the location and standard of the particular residence.
Please note that due to high demands for accommodation in Kiel, the office for student affairs can currently only assign rooms in residence halls to first-semester students (Bachelor's/Master's students). PhD students cannot be assigned rooms.

For information and to contact us, see: http://www.studentenwerk.sh