Core Modules (36 ECTS)
The Master’s in Public Economics emphasizes a solid foundation of economic theory. The core courses consist of 5 courses, which build off your knowledge gained during your Bachelor's. In order to pass these courses, a good basis of microeconomic theory is necessary.
We suggest you complete these 5 courses within the first 2 semesters of study. All of the 5 courses are in English.
The last step of your Master's is your Master's Thesis. This is accompanied by colloquim.
Our two mandatory courses in national public economics enable you to formally analyze the role of governments in the economy using neoclassical models and theory.
This course provides students with an understanding of public finance's interdependencies within 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.
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
Our course in Macroeconomics is based on the Bachelor’s course and discusses advanced methods in modern Macroeconomics. 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 final part of your education in public economics is a colloquium, in which you will present the preliminary results of your Master's Thesis to your fellow students. This will introduce you to the practice of presenting and discussing academic research. It also gives you the oppurtunity to improve your thesis through constructive criticism and advice.