Career prospects
The MSc in Multidisciplinary Economics is a comprehensive and versatile degree that will leave you well prepared for a range of different careers. As a Research Master’s degree, it provides good preparation for a PhD; content from the MSc often contributes towards your PhD programme, reducing the time spent in the doctoral programme. In previous years, graduates from this programme have gone on to work on a PhD dissertation at various international universities. This MSc is also a great starting point for a research-oriented career in economics and finance.
Towards an academic career
Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) has an average of 12 PhD students, each working towards their doctoral degree under the supervision of a professor. As the second year of the Research Master’s in Multidisciplinary Economics covers material from the PhD programme, you can complete your doctoral programme in three rather than four years. During this time, you write and submit a thesis, and are encouraged and supported in establishing yourself as an academic researcher by publishing journal articles and contributing to local and international seminars and conferences.
Under the supervision of one or more specialists in the field, you as PhD student, will write a dissertation on a (typically multidisciplinary) economics topic in which you become a specialist. Your research leads to publishable papers, and you become an academic at a university, or a research-oriented economist at a national or international organisation, bank, or financial institution (see further information below). Former Research Master’s students have become PhD candidates at Utrecht University, either within U.S.E. or at another UU department such as the Department of History and Art history; at another Dutch university such as University of Tilburg, Groningen University, Free University of Amsterdam; or at international universities such as Cambridge University, University of Edinburgh or the European University Institute Florence.
Towards a professional career
You may become an applied economist at a national or international organisation such as a ministry, a central bank, a private bank, or a financial institution. You will apply the academic knowledge you have acquired during your studies to concrete, real-life problems. Depending on the type of function, you may follow such a path immediately after completing the Research Master’s or after first having completed a PhD. Former Research Master’s students who pursued such a career currently work at organisations like the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis or at international banks (for example the Asian Development Bank).
Alumni stories
Curious about the jobs our alumni got? Browse the LinkedIn profiles of some of our graduates in Multidisciplinary Economics.
Joyce Delnoij
Postdoctoral researcher at Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen, The Netherlands
Joyce DelnoijView my profile on LinkedIn
Elric Tendron
Behavioural Economics Researcher at Behavioural Insights Group Rotterdam (BIG'R)
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Elric TendronView my profile on LinkedIn
Dominik PruggerView my profile on LinkedIn
Alexandra de Pleijt
Policy maker at the Dutch ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
The Hague, The Netherlands
Alexandra de PleijtView my profile on LinkedIn
UU Career Services
UU Career Services offers training related to career orientation and job application skills – examples include writing an application letter and CV and conducting a job interview. You can find more information about career services on UU Career Services for Dutch students or UU Career Services for international students. Furthermore, the alumni network supports graduates with workshops and meet-ups after graduation to expand networks and skills.
UU Careers Day
Once a year, Utrecht University organises a Careers Day. The Careers Day event offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the careers fair. It’s also possible to join a job application training or have your resume checked.