International Programmes 2026/2027

Economics Economics

University of Bayreuth • Bayreuth

Degree
Master of Science
Course location
Bayreuth
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

All compulsory courses and a vast majority of elective courses are taught only in English. Some elective courses are taught in German.

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

Non-EU citizens can apply for a start of studies in the winter semester from 1 March to 15 July and for a start of studies in the summer semester from 1 September to 15 January.

We recommend applying before 1 June and 1 December to have enough time for the visa application.

More information on application periods
Please find more details on this website.
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

The two-year Master's programme in Economics trains students to think rigorously and creatively about economic issues. It offers unusual flexibility. There is room for individual specialisation in economics as well as for the pursuit of interdisciplinary interests. Students acquire up-to-date knowledge of economic methods and their application at a high theoretical and empirical level. The programme is suitable for students seeking an advanced analytical and quantitative education. To provide a solid analytical foundation, students have lectures and tutorials in "Intermediate Mathematics for Economics and Management", "Advanced Empirical Economics", "Advanced Microeconomics" and Advanced Macroeconomics" during the first year. These are complemented by a wide choice of specialised courses. The latter focus either on additional methods and models of empirical economics, microeconomics and macroeconomics, or on a specific applied area such as international trade, labour markets, economic development, education and family economics, finance, governance, competition, the public sector, health, etc. Students also enjoy the freedom of creating an individual focus area. Within this individual focus area, they can earn credits with disciplinary and interdisciplinary lectures and seminars, an internship, or language courses. In the fourth semester, they write their Master's thesis, demonstrating their ability to carry out independent academic work in a specific area of economics.

Course organisation

Students attend lectures and tutorials in "Intermediate Mathematics for Economics and Management", "Advanced Empirical Economics", "Advanced Microeconomics " and "Advanced Macroeconomics" during their first year (30 ECTS points). They also earn 36 ECTS points by picking their personal favourites from a wide range of specialised economics courses covering modern empirical economics, microeconomics and macroeconomics and the respective applications to international trade, labour markets, development, education, finance, governance, competition, the public sector, health, etc. The flexible individual focus area comprises 30 ECTS points and allows students to take yet more courses within the discipline of economics or interdisciplinary courses and seminars, to do an internship or to take language courses. The final thesis applies all of the newly acquired skills. It contributes 24 ECTS points to the required total of 120.

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A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
Integrated internships

Students may obtain 6 or 12 ECTS credits by doing an optional internship of six to twelve weeks complementing their academic specialisation.
http://www.praktikantenservice.uni-bayreuth.de/de/index.html

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

In Bayreuth, students do not have to pay any tuition fees.

They pay a semester contribution. It covers your contributions to student services and the student government. Attending the University of Bayreuth (which combines the campus in Bayreuth and our Faculty VII located in Kulmbach) includes a "semester ticket" that allows you to use public transportation in the region. The semester contribution is 165.84 EUR per semester.

Costs of living

The costs of living in Germany, e.g. living, food, clothing, and activities, are about average compared to other European countries. The city of Bayreuth, compared to other large German cities (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg), offers a uniquely attractive combination: low cost of living, affordable housing, and a high quality of life. This makes Bayreuth especially appealing to students, young professionals and families. Whether it's outdoor sports in the nearby Fichtelgebirge, cultural highlights like the world-famous Festival, or the rich culinary scene – the city offers a rich variety of experiences right at your doorstep. 

Bayreuth combines affordability with vibrancy – making it easy to study, live and enjoy life to the fullest.

Here is an example: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/cost-of-living.

Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements
  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with combined credits in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, statistics, and mathematics corresponding to those required in the Bachelor's programme in Economics at University of Bayreuth
  • GRE General Test scores in the top quartile for applicants holding degrees from universities outside the European Union
German language skills
A1 required, please provide an official language certificate, e.g.:
  • telc Deutsch: telc Deutsch A1
  • Goethe-Zertifikat: Goethe-Zertifikat A1
  • ÖSD Zertifikat: A1
English language skills
B2 required, please provide an official language certificate, e.g.:
  • PTE Academic: 60
  • TOEFL iBT (before 2026): 80
  • Reading: 18
  • Listening: 17
  • Speaking: 20
  • Writing: 17
  • TOEFL iBT Home Edition (before 2026): 80
  • Reading: 18
  • Listening: 17
  • Speaking: 20
  • Writing: 17
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5
  • Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First
  • UNIcert® English: UNIcert® II
Language requirements exemptions
Please find details on the course website.
Application periods

Non-EU citizens can apply for a start of studies in the winter semester from 1 March to 15 July and for a start of studies in the summer semester from 1 September to 15 January.

We recommend applying before 1 June and 1 December to have enough time for the visa application.

More information on application periods
Please find more details on this website.
Submit application via
Please apply via uni-assist.
Possibility of finding part-time employment

There are many ways for international students to earn money while they study, but there are some restrictions. For more detailed information, please visit the DAAD website.

The University of Bayreuth’s Career Services team provides a central interface between student and professional life. The team offers guidance and support to students of all subjects with regard to starting their careers.

Accommodation

Accommodation for students
Bayreuth and Kulmbach have a number of student dormitories (both private dormitories and dormitories offered by the Association for Student Affairs) and a vast array of private rooms available. Under no circumstances should you assume that you will be assigned a room in the student dormitories! You will need to actively search for a room on your own – either in a private dormitory or on the private market.

More information regarding accommodation for students is available here: https://www.gamechanger-campus.de/en/accommodation. Please also read the DAAD’s information.

Accommodation for international guests
All other international guests are requested to register via the Welcome Services Database (WelSe).

Accommodation for short visits
For short visits, we recommend searching for accommodation on Airbnb. In addition, a limited number of apartments are available in the Alexander von Humboldt Guest House.

For in between: youth hostels

If you can not find a long-term accommodation from the start, you could look for a living space at the youth hostels directly next to our campus.

https://www.jugendherberge.de/en/youth-hostels/bayreuth/

University of Bayreuth

University location

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