Testimonials
The multidisciplinary approach helps solving problems more effectively and is fun for the curious mind!
“One of the first courses in the research Master’s programme was crucial to me. The course placed economics and economic growth in a historical perspective. Why and how did people begin to migrate? How did economic activity develop? How do demographics influence economic prosperity? This course was the starting point for linking theory to the ‘real world’. Actually, a lot of the projects in the programme are of a practical nature. Many teachers conduct research for companies. Personally, I strive to find a sweet spot in my future career too: applying my academic research skills in a dynamic international organization that deals with many stakeholders. In my first year, I was able to get a taste of this by doing a data analysis project at a consultancy firm. And now I have found a PhD position that would help estimate the real damages of climate change through economic modelling. This proves that the programme has plenty of room to explore the real world.
The multidisciplinarity of the master is twofold. On the one hand, you explore the various subdisciplines of economics: macroeconomics, microeconomics, experimental economics, and so on. On the other hand, you look outside the field of economics. For example, there is this course together with research Master’s students of law, history and public administration. Under the guidance of lecturers from each field, we did assignments applying views from the various disciplines. I am glad that I have learned to always take a step back from my own perspective and look at economics from a broader view. In fact, the multidisciplinary approach helps me to solve problems more effectively. Above all, it is fun for the curious mind!
Many fellow bachelor students subsequently chose a Master’s programme in another city. I also looked around, but for me it soon became clear that Utrecht would be a perfect continuation of my Bachelor's programme. I was already familiar with the multidisciplinary approach and I really liked it. Also, it is easy to have personal contact with the lecturers at the Utrecht School of Economics. Everyone is open to talking to you and helping you. This programme has given me so much. I now notice that when I am reading or studying, I no longer do it for the grades. Thanks to the research Master’s programme, I really started to enjoy learning. It has changed my view on education forever.”
— Pedja Ignjacevic (Serbia), MSc student, Multidisciplinary Economics / PhD candidate VU Amsterdam
Space and support to develop my own ideas
“I decided on the Research Master in Multidisciplinary Economics because the programme provides a very unique point of view on economics. During the Master’s programme, I realized that drawing on the insights from other disciplines really added to my understanding of economic questions. What I enjoyed most during this programme is that besides receiving a through training in economics, I was given the necessary space and support to develop my own ideas.”
— Franziska Heinicke (Germany), MSc graduate, Multidisciplinary Economics / PhD student, Utrecht University School of Economics
Truly unique learning experience
"At the time of applying I was not entirely sure what career I wanted to pursue. I knew, however, that I wanted to do a very rigorous Master programme where the focus would be on obtaining the skills to go on doing either a PhD or a research-oriented job in Economics.
Having spent many hours comparing and contrasting different programmes on the Internet, I chose the Research Master in Multidisciplinary Economics at Utrecht for several reasons. First of all, the programme offers very good preparation for research in Economics by covering all the core graduate materials. Secondly, the study time is spread over two years rather than the usual one, which means that there is ample time to learn a lot of new things while also being able to develop our own research interests. Thirdly, the learning experience is truly unique thanks to the small cohort of very motivated students and the friendly environment that U.S.E. provides.
The coursework of the Master programme contains all the important elements that PhD programmes look for, with the added benefit that the writing of the research proposal is integrated in the curriculum. We receive extensive feedback on our research proposal and are guided through the several drafts of our own research. This became the backbone of the research that I do in my PhD. The extensive preparation on the proposal, in combination with the courses and the writing of the Master thesis made me confident that I will have the tools to complete a PhD, while also enjoying it.
After graduating, the Master programme has provided me with the skills to get accepted in an Economics PhD programme at the University of Edinburgh. My research is about understanding whether matching in the labour market between workers and jobs happens in an efficient way. The application process for PhD programmes is long and complicated and the training that U.S.E. provided has substantially contributed to the success of my application."
— Aspasia Bizopoulou (Greece), MSc graduate, Multidisciplinary Economics / PhD student, University of Edinburgh
A challenging programme that stimulates students to reach their full academic potential
"The MSc in Multidisciplinary Economics is a challenging programme that stimulates students to reach their full academic potential. It is a great starting point for a PhD in economics, and especially in the interdisciplinary subfields of the discipline. The courses and professors stimulate independent critical thinking. The size of the programme and the department make it easy for students to bond and feel at home quickly."
— Marijn Bolhuis (The Netherlands), MSc graduate, Multidisciplinary Economics / PhD student University of Toronto