International Programmes 2023/2024

Applied Economics Applied Economics

University of Wuppertal • Wuppertal

Degree
Master of Science (MSc) in Applied Economics
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

English is the language of instruction of all compulsory modules. The same applies for various elective modules. The Master's thesis and seminar papers can also be submitted in English. It is possible to study the entire programme in English.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter and summer semester
Application deadline

Application period for applicants with a foreign/international Bachelor's degree:

for the summer semester: 15 November to 15 January
for the winter semester: 15 May to 15 July

Application period for applicants with a Bachelor's degree from Germany:

for the summer semester: the middle of January to 15 March
for the winter semester: the middle of June to 15 September

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

Our two-year Master's programme in Applied Economics, taught in English, prepares you for the challenges of a career in the international economic arena. During the course of the programme, you will develop key competencies that are crucial for a modern economist, such as the independent evaluation and analysis of data and the derivation of policy suggestions based on a solid theoretical foundation. The Applied Economics programme offers the unique combination of theoretical, institutional and empirical analysis with a focus on the issues and topics of the real world and the global economy.

You will benefit from small class sizes in which you will learn together with students from all over the world. You will learn to apply empirical methods to find answers to economic questions. You will become familiar with the basic econometric, quantitative and experimental methods used, among other things, to identify causal economic relationships. You will acquire the ability to assess the significance of empirical studies with regard to the questions asked and to question critically the significance of empirical results. You will be able to independently apply the appropriate empirical methods depending on the particular question and to draw conclusions from the results. You will come to understand the role and significance of theory as the basis of empirical research.

Furthermore, the high degree of internationalisation of the programme enables you to identify the international perspective of economic action and to develop and communicate well-founded recommendations for relevant target groups.

Our programme is the perfect starting point for human capital formation, networking and international activities – aspects that are crucial for your future in business, consulting or politics.

Course organisation

The Master's programme in Applied Economics comprises 120 ECTS. The regular duration is two years (four semesters) of full-time study.

The programme offers a structured curriculum that equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills in various areas of economics.

The programme consists of compulsory courses, elective courses, seminars, and a Master's thesis.

In the compulsory area, students are required to take four core courses (40 ECTS). The first two courses introduce students to fundamental concepts and applications in economics and focus on statistical techniques used for analysing economic data. The other two courses of the compulsory area delve into topics related to the global economy and economic policy or provide advanced training in quantitative methods used for empirical economic analysis.

The elective area offers students the opportunity to further tailor their programme to their interests. Students are required to complete three elective courses (30 ECTS). A wide range of elective courses is available, covering topics such as economic integration, economics of innovation, environmental economics, public economics, capital market theory, service management, incentives and accounting, mathematics and microeconometrics.

In addition, students participate in three seminars (30 ECTS) that align thematically with either compulsory or elective courses. These seminars provide a platform for discussing and presenting current topics in economics through scientific papers.

Lastly, students are required to complete the Master's thesis (20 ECTS) which serves as a culmination of their learning experience. The thesis allows students to delve deeper into a specific area of economics, conduct independent research, and demonstrate their analytical and writing skills.

Overall, the Master's programme in Economics offers a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge, quantitative analysis, and practical applications.

From analysts at insurance companies, banks, larger companies or international organisations, to consulting or research, our programme prepares students for a variety of careers in corporate, government or academic settings.

For further details on programme, please visit: https://www.wiwi.uni-wuppertal.de/en/study/master-programmes/msc-applied-economics/.

A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Study trips
  • Integrated study abroad unit(s)
  • International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
  • Content-related regional focus
Description of other international elements
  • Joint seminars with selected partner universities
  • Optional internship abroad (with possible funding)
Integrated study abroad unit(s)

We encourage our students to further sharpen their profile by integrating an optional semester / academic year or summer school abroad at one of our partner universities with top programmes in Economics. The standardised procedure at the Schumpeter School for the recognition of academic achievements abroad and various scholarship opportunities support the international efforts of our students.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

There is no tuition fee. However, students have to pay a compulsory fee, including a social contribution called a "Sozialbeitrag", a contribution to the student body called a "Studentenschaftsbeitrag", and a fee for the "NRW-Ticket" for public transport within the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The compulsory fee amounts to about 320 EUR per semester and is not a tuition fee (note that it includes a six-month ticket to public transport).

Costs of living

A student's monthly expenses, including accommodation, cost of living, health insurance, and learning materials, will amount to approx. 900 to 1000 EUR.

Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements
  • A Bachelor's degree from an economics programme in which you were ranked amongst at least the top 65% of graduates of your cohort is required. If it is not possible to prove a relative grade, the overall grade (decimal grade) of at least "2.5" must be proven. However, the relative grade always counts first and not the decimal grade!
  • At least 100 credit points (according to ECTS, other credit point systems will be converted by the examination board during the application process) of the Bachelor's programme must have been attained in economics (e.g. business administration, economics, methods of economics, business informatics, business mathematics, business education), of which at least 15 credit points in the field of business administration and at least another 15 credit points in the field of economics.
  • In addition to a written thesis, at least 6 credit points must have been acquired through one or more term papers or seminar papers that meet scientific standards.
Language requirements

Proof of English language proficiency at level "C1" of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or an equivalent recognised language examination (in particular TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate) for non-English-speaking applicants. Proof of sufficient English language skills is not required if the Bachelor's programme was taught entirely in the English language.

Application deadline

Application period for applicants with a foreign/international Bachelor's degree:

for the summer semester: 15 November to 15 January
for the winter semester: 15 May to 15 July

Application period for applicants with a Bachelor's degree from Germany:

for the summer semester: the middle of January to 15 March
for the winter semester: the middle of June to 15 September

Submit application to

Applicants with a foreign or international Bachelor's degree have to apply via uni-assist. For more information, please visit:

www.wiwi.uni-wuppertal.de/en/service/master-application/masterapplication-ba/.

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from Germany have to apply directly to the university. For more information, please visit: https://www.wiwi.uni-wuppertal.de/en/service/master-application/.

Possibility of finding part-time employment

The university administration and departments offer student assistant jobs (also with non-German requirement). Student assistant jobs within the university are posted online via the online recruitement system or on the websites of the departments.

Student assistant jobs outside the university can be found via the job portal of the university's Career Service: http://www.stellenwerk.de/wuppertal/.

Accommodation

You can either live in a hall of residence or rent a room/apartment off campus. There are eight on-campus halls of residence with a total capacity of about 1,200 places. The rooms are mostly rented unfurnished. Rent is approx. 350 EUR. You can obtain information and apply for a place in a student residence at:
https://www.hochschul-sozialwerk-wuppertal.de/en/accommodation/looking-for-accommodation.html.

As only a limited number of living quarters are available here, you can also inquire about private accommodation free of charge at the Central Accommodation Office of the University of Wuppertal Social Services Office.
https://www.hochschul-sozialwerk-wuppertal.de/en/accommodation/contact.html
E-mail: wohnen@hsw.uni-wuppertal.de

Career advisory service

The Career Service of the university supports students and alumni or postdocs to find a suitable profession or a professional perspective. Their support includes:

  • Career counselling and coaching
  • Check of application documents
  • Trainings (e.g. key competences, job interview training)
  • Recruiting events and job database
Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Buddy programme
  • Specialist counselling
  • Cultural and linguistic preparation
General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

Support service for international students:

The Schumpeter School’s Center for Foreign Contacts offers academic support for international students. It works closely together with other student services such as student counselling or student admission and registration for international students.

University of Wuppertal

Content Bild
© Bergische Universität Wuppertal

The University of Wuppertal is one of the state universities in North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 1972, it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. The university excels in producing high quality, innovative research that translates into benefits both locally and worldwide. Academic culture is marked by diversity, experience and innovation – a perfect environment for developing inspiring ideas and academic projects that will shape the future. The close relationship between the university and regional as well as global enterprises provide interesting internship, research and employment opportunities.

The university with its nine schools, 31 departments and 44 research institutes offers a diverse range of study programmes in science, engineering economics and the humanities as well as educational science, design and architecture. Some 23,000 students from more than 100 countries benefit from the high-level academic approaches in teaching. The university's Language Learning Institute offers German language classes for all levels.

The University of Wuppertal has three campuses in the city of Wuppertal. The main Grifflenberg campus is located above the city of Wuppertal, as is the Freudenberg campus, a few minutes' walk away. The Haspel campus, on the other hand, is located directly in the valley in Wuppertal-Unterbarmen. A dense network of public transport makes it easy to travel between the campuses.

University location

Germany is an open-minded, cosmopolitan country and home to more than 82 million people. Wuppertal, situated in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), which is economically the most significant German state with an outstanding educational and cultural landscape, is one of Germany’s largest university towns with some 350,000 inhabitants. It is an interesting mixture of outgoing metropolis and cosy village with a lot of leisure facilities. Due to the excellent train and transport network, you can travel within one hour from Wuppertal to Cologne, Bonn, Dortmund, Düsseldorf and many other cities.

One of the biggest attractions in Wuppertal is the suspension railway line, which carries passengers 12 metres over and above the Wupper River from the city centre to the surrounding city districts. The cars are suspended from a rail with wheels integrated into the roof, which makes you feel as if you are floating in the air.

This former industrial city looks back at an eventful history. The water power of the Wupper River was in every respect the formative element for the town. It is the basis of Wuppertal’s unique industrial history. The German philosopher Friedrich Engels is one of Wuppertal’s most famous sons; you can learn more about his life and achievements at the Engels House. The Von der Heydt Art Museum is worth visiting for its impressive architecture alone, as is the Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal, which is acoustically among the best concert halls in Europe. Enjoy the easy-going atmosphere of the city on a long stroll through the city centre and the many gardens, parks and woods. Wuppertal is one of the greenest major cities in Germany. Five Wuppertal parks are part of the European Garden Network EGHN – more than in any other European city.

All in all, Wuppertal is a great place for recreation and relaxation. If you like hiking and enjoying nature, but also want the experience of city life, you’ll find ideal conditions for studying here.

The University City of Wuppertal

NRW Tourism

Wuppertal tourism and city information

Stadthalle Wuppertal

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