Economics (research)

The Research Master's in Economics is an intensive programme in economics, econometrics and finance, giving students the opportunity to develop their own projects in a research-focused environment.

The Research Master's in Economics is conducted at the Tinbergen Institute (TI). TI is a school for research and graduate education run jointly in collaboration by the Economics Faculties of the University of Amsterdam (UvA), VU University Amsterdam and the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). The programme prepares students to pursue a PhD, but also represents an excellent foundation for those planning careers in consultancy or policy advice. The TI is committed to offering excellent Master's programmes. Admission to the programme is therefore limited to only the best students. The maximum intake is 45 students a year, with roughly 70% recruited from other countries. The lecturers are leading researchers in the three participating faculties. The research atmosphere is active and dynamic. Currently, some 100 research fellows and 150 graduate students participate in Tinbergen Institute. TI's PhD alumni (over 450) can be found working for universities and international companies all over the world.

The Master of Philosophy in Economics is a two-year programme that yields 120 ECTS. The first year is devoted almost entirely to core courses and the development of skills. The core courses are designed to give students an in-depth introduction to economics. Students' progress is monitored during the first year in order to determine whether they can proceed to the second year. In the second year, students specialise in one field, with courses focusing on specific topics in that field, while also outlining and writing their thesis.

The curriculum consists of:

• core courses (60 ECTS),
• specialised courses (30 ECTS),
• thesis (30 ECTS).

Core courses

The core courses are: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Finance, Mathematics and Statistics, and Econometrics. TI offers a track in economics, econometrics and finance. All courses are given by fellows and teaching associates of the Tinbergen Institute and consist of general lectures and separate training sessions focusing on problem solving. The training sessions prepare students for the examination and afford them opportunities to apply their skills in practice and thereby master the rudiments of economics. Students complete a large number of group assignments aimed at stimulating discussion and interaction. These assignments are discussed and presented during the training sessions. Each core course culminates in a written examination.

Specialised courses

Specialised courses offer a more general introduction to a specific field in economics. Students apply the skills learned in the core courses to specific problems in a given area. Specialised courses generally last eight weeks and are worth three credits. Students must demonstrate competence in at least two fields. The Institute currently offers courses in the following areas of specialisation:

• Econometrics,
• Labour, Education and Health,
• Finance,
• Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics and International Economics,
• Spatial and Environmental Economics,
• Microeconomics, Industrial Organisation and Public Economics.

Thesis

At the start of the second year, each student selects a research fellow as a thesis supervisor on the basis of specialisation and preferences of the student. Students write their thesis under the supervision of the research fellow and give an oral defence before a small examination committee. The thesis must conform to the highest academic standards and be worthy of publication in an international peer-reviewed journal. It usually forms the basis for a subsequent PhD thesis, which students can begin work on at the TI, following completion of the Master's programme. Most graduates continue on to a PhD programme; the MPhil thesis is usually the first chapter of the PhD thesis.

Entry test: Recent GRE results from all applicants (including Dutch students). Scores more than two years old are not valid and will not be considered. Successful applicants typically rank among the top 10% of test-takers on the quantitative section of the GRE. Language test: An excellent command of English is crucial. Students whose native language is not English are therefore required to demonstrate English proficiency in one of two ways: A. by holding a degree from a Dutch university or an institution at which English is the language of instruction B. by scoring at least 600 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ), 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, 100 on the internet-based TOEFL or 7 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test. Scores that are more than two years old are not valid and will not be considered. Note: Chinese nationals should meet the institute's IELTS or TOEFL iBT requirement, because this is a condition for obtaining a NESO Certificate. Previous education: A Bachelor's degree, preferably in Economics, Econometrics, Mathematics or Physics. Degrees from non-EU universities must be assessed by the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC). Students must complete their Bachelor's programme prior to starting the Master's programme. For more information about entry requirements please see www.uva.nl/rmsc-economics (Application and admission). Written request: Students should be strongly motivated to pursue a career in (academic) research. Such motivation will be assessed by a written letter of intent. Entry test: Recent GRE results from all applicants (including Dutch students). Scores more than two years old are not valid and will not be considered. Successful applicants typically rank among the top 10% of test-takers on the quantitative section of the GRE. Language test: An excellent command of English is crucial. Students whose native language is not English are therefore required to demonstrate English proficiency in one of two ways: A. by holding a degree from a Dutch university or an institution at which English is the language of instruction B. by scoring at least 600 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ), 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, 100 on the internet-based TOEFL or 7 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test. Scores that are more than two years old are not valid and will not be considered. Note: Chinese nationals should meet the institute's IELTS or TOEFL iBT requirement, because this is a condition for obtaining a NESO Certificate. Previous education: A Bachelor's degree, preferably in Economics, Econometrics, Mathematics or Physics. Degrees from non-EU universities must be assessed by the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC). Students must complete their Bachelor's programme prior to starting the Master's programme. For more information about entry requirements please see www.uva.nl/rmsc-economics (Application and admission). Written request: Students should be strongly motivated to pursue a career in (academic) research. Such motivation will be assessed by a written letter of intent. Additional language requirements:IELTS overall band: 7TOEFL paper based: 600TOEFL computer based: 250TOEFL internet based: 100 English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) TOEFL paper-based test score : 600 TOEFL iBT® test: 100

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Scholarships / Grants:

The University of Amsterdam:
The University of Amsterdam provides a limited number of full and partial scholarships for excellent students from outside the European Economic Area. The Amsterdam Merit Scholarships have specifically been designed to offer talented, ambitious and dedicated students the opportunity to pursue a Mast
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Accreditation

Accredited by: NVAO in: The Netherlands