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Structure of the Master in Public Economics

The Master’s Program in Public Economics is comprised of a total of 120 credit points.

Our example study plan shows you how the program could be completed within the 4 semester time frame. All the available courses of study can be found in the 5 categories below.

Core Courses (36 ECTS)

Our core courses provide important basic knowledge in Public Finance.

We suggest you complete these 6 courses within the first 2 semesters of study. All of the 6 courses are in English.

A microeconomic education is a key part of any Economics program. Therefore, this modul provides you with in-depth methods and knowledge on microeconomic fundamentals. During the course, you will familiarize yourself with the newest microeconomic approaches and applications. The goal of this module is to train you to recognize restrictions, approaches, and to carry out model extensions.

Topics:

  • Households’ and firms’ decision theory
  • General Equilibrium Analysis
  • Fundamental theorems of Welfare Theory
  • Partial Equilibrium Analysis
  • Imperfect Competition
  • Game Theory

Our course in Macroeconomics is based on the Bachelor’s course and provides advanced methods in modern Macroeconomic models. If you are interested in further elective course in this area of study, you should complete this course at the beginning of your Master’s.

 Topics:

  • Solow-Model

  • Ramsey-Model

  • Real Business Cycle

  • New keynesian Model

  • Dynamic Optimization

The course in Welfare Economics discusses the Theory of Market Failure from a public finance perspective and provides advanced methods for analyzing public expenditure. Students shall learn to analyze fundamental problems of a welfare state in an independent manner and to assess the economic importance of central welfare institutions within a market economy.

Topics:

  • Role of the welfare state

  • Market failure and insurance

  • Ensuring labor income through the State

  • Redistribution by means of income taxation

  • Public supply of private goods

  • Poverty alleviation

Command of microeconometric methods is a key requirement for the independent execution of empirical analysis in the field of Public Finance. Besides fundamental empirical models, students shall learn quasi-experimental methods of modern causal analysis. The theoretical contents are illustrated through empirical analyses of microdata in relation to current economic policy issues. The goal of this course is to enable students to perform independent, empirical work and to analyze and develop the presented methods and approaches.

Topics:

  • Logit, Probit, Tobit models

  • Difference-in-differences methods

  • Instrumental variables

This course provides students with an understanding of public finance interdependencies of open economies. In this respect, diverse issues such as European integration, globalization, tax competition, and global trade policy are presented. The goal of this course is to provide the economic tools to identify and solve public finance problems in scenarios with competing state stakeholders.

Topics:

  • Federalism

  • Strategic aspects of taxation: e.g. tax competition, tax coordination.

  • Economics of international negotiations

  • International aspects of consumption, factor income and resource taxation

  • Economics of customs and trade policy.

Public Finance theories on optimal taxation as a part of Governmental Accounting are a fundamental component of this course. Based on the contents taught, the students obtain a deep understanding of the workings of taxes. Students learn about the relevant interest conflicts of taxation and discuss them from an economic perspective. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to provide economically founded recommendations in order to develop and analyze taxation theory and policy instruments.

Topics:

  • Optimal taxation theory

  • Tax incidence analysis

  • The excess burden of taxation

  • Design of tax systems and tax reform

  • Conflict of interests between efficiency and redistribution

  • Taxation of external effects

Elective Courses (12 ECTS each from two different elective fields)

Our elective courses present different structures, which allow you to develop deeper methodological knowledge in your interested area of study. This is without restricting you to a specific area.

Our course program is orientated on 3 principal concepts:

  • Economic Theory

  • Empirical Economics

  • Economic Policy Analysis

In each area of study, you can visit courses, which focus on the conveyance of methods to analyze concrete economic problems and to present possible solutions.

For Example:

  • Methods in Empirical Economics

  • Applied Empirical Economics

Our program distinguishes between 6 and 12 ECTS courses.

The 12 ECTS course go towards your individual specialization and are completed within 1 semester. Through a combination of lectures and seminars, you will get a deeper knowledge of your selected theme. 

To complete the Master’s, you must complete 2 12 ECTS courses.

You can deepen your knowledge in a particular area or visit a certain theme with the 6 ECTS courses. 

Usually, you will take 2 12 ECTS courses and 3 6 ECTS courses. However, you could also take 3 12 ECTS courses and one 6 ECS courses. You are free to decide so long as you complete the minimum of 2 12 ECTS courses.

Furthermore, courses within the Public Finance Master's can be part of a semester abroad or taken at the Berlin School of Economics (BSE).

  • Current Research Questions on Empirical Public Economics and Economic Policy (6 ECTS)

  • Current Research Questions on International Fiscal Policy (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research Questions on Social Policy (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research Questions on Public Economic Theory (6 ECTS)

  • Poverty and Distribution (6 ECTS)**

  • Selected Topics in Social Policy (6 ECTS)*

  • Selected Topics in Taxation Theory and Policy (6 ECTS)*

  • Income Tax Law (6 ECTS)

  • Empirical Public Economics and Economic Policy (6 ECTS)**

  • Reforming the Welfare State (6 ECTS)**

  • Microeconometrics (6 ECTS)*

  • Tax Effects (6 ECTS)

  • Knowledge Transfer (6 ECTS)**

  • Current Research Topics on Labor Market Economics (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research on Educational Economics (6 ECTS)*

  • Advanced Labour Economics (6 ECTS)**

  • Working with Panel Data (6 ECTS)*

  • Selected Topics in Labor Market Research (6 ECTS)*

  • Economics of Education (6 ECTS)*

  • The Legal Parameters of Labor Policy (6 ECTS) 

  • Labor Market Policy  (6 ECTS)*

  • Knowledge Transfer (6 ECTS)**

  • Current Research Questions on Microeconomics (6 ECTS)

  • Current Research Questions on Political Economy (6 ECTS)*

  • Selected Topics in Social Policy (6 ECTS)*

  • Design of Economic Systems (6 ECTS)**

  • Information Economic (6 ECTS)

  • Economics of Innovation and Innovation Policies (6 ECTS)**

  • Öffentliche Regulation of State-Owned Enterprises (6 LP)**

  • Public Choice (6 LP)

  • Knowledge Transfer (6 ECTS)**

  • Current Research Questions on international Macroeconomics (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research Questions on Macroeconomics (6 ECTS)*

  • International Institutions (6 ECTS)*

  • Selected Topics in Macroeconomics (6 ECTS)*

  • Money and Fiscal Policy (6 ECTS)

  • International Economic History (12 ECTS)***

  • International Economics (12 ECTS)***

  • International Macroeconomics (6 ECTS)**

  • Capital Market Theory (6 ECTS)*

  • Capital Markets and Regulation (6 ECTS)*

  • Complex Methods of Modern Econometrics (6 ECTS)*

  • Methods of Modern Macroeconomics (6 ECTS)*

  • Econometric Analysis (6 ECTS)

  • US Economic Policy (12 ECTS)***

  • Economic History of the 20th Century (6 ECTS)**

  • Economic Growth (6 ECTS)

  • Knowledge Transfer (6 ECTS)**

* Modules not offered every semester according to current study regulations.

** Modules only offered once every two years according to current study regulations.

*** Modules offered every third semester according to study regulations.

Elective Courses (12 ECTS)

You can also gain credit for courses in your study abroad program or at the Berlin School of Economics.

Are you interested in a semester abroad during your Master? Then inform yourself with our colleagues at the International Office.

Before you leave to your desired university abroad, you should inform yourself about the possibility of getting said courses recognized for your Master's. The Programm Coordination will be glad to assist you.

Further information on studying abroad

In 2019, the former Berlin Doctoral Program in Economics and Management Science (BDPEMS), together with the Graduate Center of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW GC), merged to form the new Berlin School of Economics (BSE). With numerous PhD courses, the BSE offers exciting economic courses at the highest level. As part of the PhD Fast Track, students may also get these courses recognized for their Master's. These courses can again be applied to a future Doctorate with the BSE.

Further information on the course offer at BSE

Did you find an exciting course at BSE? Then clarify the possibility of getting the credits recognized in advance. 

Economic Seminars (12 ECTS)

The 12 ECTS elective courses consist of a lecture and a seminar combined. Again, you must complete 2 of these courses in order to complete your Master's. You are, however, free to choose from the listed courses.

In our economic seminars, students apply the concepts and methods imparted in the lectures on current economic issues. The goal is to design and complete a research paper and present the results of your research. In the seminars, students do not only gain the necessary tools to successfully write their Master’s thesis. They live and practice research directly alongside practicing economists.

You have to take at least two economic seminars during your Master studies.

  • Current Research Questions on Microeconomics (6 ECTS)

  • Current Research Questions on international Macroeconomics (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research Questions on Macroeconomics (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research Questions on Political Economy (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research Questions on Public Economic Theory (6 ECTS)

  • Current Research Questions on International Fiscal Policy (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research Questions on Social Policy (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research Questions on Empirical Public Economics and Economic Policy (6 ECTS)

  • Current Research on Labour Market Economics (6 ECTS)*

  • Current Research on Educational Economics (6 ECTS)*

  • Working with Panel Data (6 ECTS)*

  • Knowledge Transfer (6 ECTS)**

* Modules not offered every semester according to current study regulations.

** Modules offered every third semester according to study regulations.

Internship & Research Project (18 LP)

A characteristic of the Master's in Public Economics is the practice oriented internship. This gives you the chance to apply the knowledge you learned in lectures and seminars in practice. Since the Master’s Program is research orientated, this gives you the chance to gain actual practical experience. In the foreground is the individual economic argumentation with political questions. 

In order to support your individual interests and career plans, you can do an internship at an external institution or your own research project with an economics professor here at the Freie Universität.

In an organized internship you can apply and deepen your learned knowledge in a variety of fields.

Since the internship is a mandatory component of your studies, the internship offers you the opportunity to gain practice at a public institution: for example a ministry, a trade association, or a NGO. Many of these organizations only take mandatory internships. This gives you an advantage, when applying. 

The internship can be done during the longer semester break in the Summer. Since many interesting positions can only be acheived in advance, you should start looking at internships by the beginning of your second semester. 

Further information on the internship

Have you already carried out an internship during your studies? Then the research project may be a good alternative.

The research project comprises the independent completion of a scientific project at one of our Chairs. Consistent to the focus of your studies, the project should have a public finance or economic policy focus.

The organization of the project takes place in a highly autonomous manner and through direct contact with the Chairs. We also provide interesting research propositions exclusively for our students.

Further information on the research project

Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)

For the successful completion of the Master's in Public Economics, students must write an independent Master’s thesis. The thesis can be completed within a 23 week period.

Usually, the Master’s thesis is at the end of your studies. However, you may also start your Master’s thesis before your final semester under certain circumstances. For this, you are obligated to complete at least 60 ECTS and one economic seminar (12 ECTS elective).

Once the requirements for the enrolment of a Master’s thesis are fulfilled, students must then find an appropriate research topic. The topic assignment is carried out independently by a professor of your choosing.

In an ideal scenario, you may already have an idea for an exciting topic, which you would like to develop with a potential advisor. If your advisor agrees to the topic, you may enroll your Master’s thesis at the Prüfungsbüro.

Many professors also publish lists with topics of interest, to which you can apply. Professors often have additional requirements for students wishing to write their Master’s thesis with them. Students should therefore inform themselves in advance.

Should you not be able to find an advisor, you may enroll your Master’s thesis at the Prüfungsbüro by giving your preferred advisors. You will then be assigned an advisor.

Regardless of which way you choose, the enrollment of your Master’s thesis is guaranteed.

Further information on Master's Theses