Testimonials

The small cohort size fostered a close-knit community

"In the first year of the research master's at Utrecht University School of Economics (U.S.E.), the focus was on building a strong foundation in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. These are alls kills essential for a research-based career. The second year offered specialisation through electives like development, environmental, spatial and behavioral economics, allowing me to apply foundational skills to specific sub-disciplines. For me this was what made the programme multidisciplinary.

The challenging coursework, as expected from a research master, was made more manageable by the small cohort size (just 8 students in my year), which fostered a close-knit community. Our lecturers and tutors were highly accessible, providing personalised support that made the experience both motivating and supportive. Alongside my studies, I worked as a research assistant for Prof. dr. Joost de Laat and Dr. Karlijn Morsink. This complemented my coursework, particularly in proposal writing, my Master's thesis, and provided valuable practical experience.

After completing my Master’s, I continued at U.S.E. as a PhD candidate, focusing on development economics, specifically education and gender. My dissertation explores two main areas: the impact of intra-household conflict and decision-making on household outcomes, and the development of soft/non-cognitive skills in boys and girls to improve educational outcomes. The rigorous training and research experience from this Master's programme prepared me well for this transition. I plan to continue in academic research, starting as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Oxford, researching scalable policy to improve learning outcomes in low-coming countries at the What Works Hub for Global Education. The foundation and experiences I gained at U.S.E. have been instrumental in shaping my academic journey and future career path."

Alumnus Anaya Dam (India)


Our professors are some of the best in their fields of studies

“My experience at the Multidisciplinary Economics research Master's programme at U.S.E. has been great. As I was not sure about what field to specialise in, the multidisciplinary focus of the programme allowed me to broaden my scope of learning. I now know that I want to do empirical research on market structure and firm dynamics. While the programme is relatively demanding, it offers many opportunities for academic and work experience. During my studies, I work part-time as a research assistant and a tutorial lecturer. No other programme offers this many opportunities.

One of strengths of the programme lies in its faculty. Our professors are some of the best in their fields of studies, but they are also very approachable and supportive. It is clear that they are genuinely interested in students' ideas, fostering an environment of intellectual growth and collaboration. Furthermore, many professors offer research assistantship positions, which are great opportunities to apply practically what is taught in lectures.

While many graduates pursue PhDs, the programme's versatility opens doors to diverse career paths. Some students go on to be employed at corporate research jobs or international organisations (including NGOS). A research Master's diploma in Multidisciplinary Economics is a good indicator of someone who is prepared to do economic research, whether in academia or in the industry. Overall, the Multidisciplinary Economics programme at U.S.E. offers a demanding but rewarding experience, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various economic fields.”

Student Nicola Sabatini (Italy)