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The world is changing. Rising inequality, climate change, an ageing population, increasing international migration, digitalization, robotization have a profound impact on our lives, societies and economies. Policy challenges are everywhere and policy economists can play a key role solving them. Are you interested in a Master’s programme that takes a real world perspective and focuses on major societal challenges? Do you want to develop the knowledge and skills required to improve policy for a more equitable, efficient and sustainable society?  If you are strongly motivated to contribute to an economy where people flourish, the Master’s programme Economic Policy at Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) is the right choice for you.

The real world perspective

The Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) aims to contribute to an economy where people flourish. We enrich economics with other disciplines to better solve problems and identify opportunities, from a business and a government point of view. Scientifically rigorous and societally relevant. The real world perspective.

Research expertise 

Based on Utrecht University’s research expertise, this multidisciplinary Master’s programme gives you a 360-degree picture of the importance of economic policy-making for business, government, and society. The research of the academic staff of Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.) has a strong focus on economic policy issues. The lecturers excel in enriching economics with other disciplines to better understand economic challenges. Academic staff members are, for instance, associated with the Centre for Global Challenges, the Future of Work Hub, the Sustainable Finance Lab and Dynamics of Youth. The Master’s programme has strong connections to the policy world.

Content of the programme

In the Master's programme Economic Policy you focus on:

  • the role of economic policy in complex societal issues such as care and insurance, sustainable economic growth, global poverty and energy transition;
  • applying modern economics to major societal questions related to topics such as climate change, inequality and the future of work.

This master equips you with the tools to effectively contribute to economic policy-making for a better world.

Programme objectives

This Master's programme Economic Policy provides you with:

  • a unique real world perspective on societal challenges and the economic policies to tackle them;
  • the sound theoretical knowledge and advanced analytical skills required to work in the complex, challenging and important field of economic and public policy;
  • a small-scale, culturally diverse cohort that creates a lively, intense and highly international interaction in and out of class;
  • a multidisciplinary approach that combines expertise in both economics and other social sciences;
  • the ability to contribute to societal development by designing and implementing new solutions to the complex and multifaceted issues facing governments and society today;
  • the skills to evaluate economic policies using state-of-the-art methods, for instance in courses such as Empirical Economics, Policy Evaluation Skills and Policy Lab;
  • broad perspectives from studying core subjects as: Sustainable Growth and Inequality, Public and Political Economics, Macroeconomic Policy, Labour Economics and Behavioural Economics.                    

You will actively participate in major research projects, conduct your own research, write papers and short essays,  present your findings, and a Master’s thesis.

Career Prospects

Upon completion of the MSc in Economic Policy you are prepared for a wide range of careers in both the public and private sector. Graduates from this MSc have strong analytical skills and are experts in understanding economic and social challenges and identifying policy solutions. This expertise is highly sought after by employers.

Admission

Do you want to know if you are eligible for this Master?

Check the entry requirements

Key facts

Degree: 
Economic Policy
Language of instruction: 
English
Mode of study: 
Full-time
Study duration: 
1 year
Start: 
September
Tuition fees: 
Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time) 2024-2025: € 2,530

Non-EU/EEA students (institutional fee) 2024-2025: € 20,043

More information about fees
Croho code: 
60389
Accreditation: 
Accredited by the NVAO
Faculty: 
Law, Economics and Governance