Applied Track and Science Track, 12 specializations, global study opportunities

Master's Program
Economics
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Female students is doing her work at the library.
Custom-tailor your academic experience
This internationally oriented program gives you the freedom to develop in-depth skills in your preferred areas of interest, preparing you for a career in research, economic policy, or business.
5 reasons to study Economics
Two tracks tailored to your interests
Top international partner universities
Research projects in small groups
Focus on data analysis
Attractive career prospects

The master’s program

The Master’s Program in Economics offers an Applied Track (AT) and a Science Track (ST). In the first year, students acquire solid skills in economic theory and empirical data analysis. The second year focuses on in-depth analyses of policy and business topics based on cutting-edge economic research.

The Applied Track (AT) prepares students for careers in government, business, or NGOs. It focuses on problem-​solving skills and empirical data analysis.

The Science Track (ST) is designed for students who would like to pursue a career in economic research. It puts strong emphasis on the mathematical and statistical foundations and on advanced economic theory and methods. The Science Track (ST) offers a fast-track option leading over to WU's PhD Program in Economics.

 

Program duration
4 semesters
Program type
Full-time degree program
Teaching language
English
ECTS Credits
120
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  1. Admission

    Our students are critical thinkers passionate about intriguing economic questions such as growth, inequality, development, or economic crises. They have strong analytical skills and appreciate diversity. At least half of the students come from an international background. Information about admission procedures can be found here.

     

  2. Program structure and content
    1. semester 2. semester 3. semester 4. semester
    1. half term 2. half term 1. half term 2. half term 1. half term 2. half term 1. half term 2. half term
    Introductory Week Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    Foundations of Economics Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Macroeconomic Models and Methods Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Econometrics and Emirical Economic Research Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Game Theory Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Economic Policy, Heterodox Economics, Business Analytics (choose 2 out of 3) Is offered Is offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Public Economics Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Microeconomic Models and Methods Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Microeconometrics Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Macroeconometrics Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Topics in Macroeconomic Theory and Policy Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Topics in Applied Microeconomics Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Mathematics I Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Probability and Statistics Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Game Theory Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advances Econometric Models and Methods Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Mathematics II Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advanced Microeconometrics Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advanced Macroeconometrics Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advanced Macroeconomics I and II Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advanced Microeconomics I and II Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    Areas of Specialization (AT choose 4 out of 12, ST choose 3 out of 12) Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is offered Is offered
    Research and Policy Seminars (choose 2 accompanying your field courses) Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is offered Is offered
    Elective Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is offered Is offered
    Master's Thesis Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered
    Master's Thesis Conference Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered
    1. semester 2. semester 3. semester 4. semester
    1. half term 2. half term 1. half term 2. half term 1. half term 2. half term 1. half term 2. half term
    Introductory Week
    Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    Foundations of Economics
    Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Macroeconomic Models and Methods
    Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Econometrics and Emirical Economic Research
    Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Game Theory
    Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Economic Policy, Heterodox Economics, Business Analytics (choose 2 out of 3)
    Is offered Is offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Public Economics
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Microeconomic Models and Methods
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Microeconometrics
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Macroeconometrics
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Topics in Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    AT - Topics in Applied Microeconomics
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Mathematics I
    Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Probability and Statistics
    Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Game Theory
    Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advances Econometric Models and Methods
    Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Mathematics II
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advanced Microeconometrics
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advanced Macroeconometrics
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advanced Macroeconomics I and II
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    ST - Advanced Microeconomics I and II
    Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered
    Areas of Specialization (AT choose 4 out of 12, ST choose 3 out of 12)
    Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is offered Is offered
    Research and Policy Seminars (choose 2 accompanying your field courses)
    Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is offered Is offered
    Elective
    Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered Is offered Is offered
    Master's Thesis
    Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered
    Master's Thesis Conference
    Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is not offered Is offered Is offered
  3. Master of Science, MSc (WU)

    The program equips students with the skills necessary for solving complex economic problems in a digital, globalized world facing multiple challenges. Graduates pursue interesting careers in research, economic policy, or business.

Portrait of Guido Schäfer, Academic Director
Curious? Explore our website!
Economists tend to be analytical, data-hungry people who want to base complex decisions on solid empirical evidence. Our website provides lots of data you can explore to inform your decision to apply.
ao. Univ. Prof. Dr. Guido Schäfer, Academic Director
1
Number 1 in research among all Austrian universities (2021 Handelsblatt Ranking)
12
areas of specialization
50%
Approximate percentage of female students and international students in the program
> 50 %
More than half of the courses involve the analysis of empirical data

Living the student life

Experiencing Campus WU

Campus WU is an excellent place to study. Students benefit from the campus’s cutting-edge technology and spectacular architectural setting while enjoying a lively urban space with many restaurants, cafés, and recreational facilities.

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Vienna, where classic meets contemporary

Vienna is known as the world’s most livable city. As the second largest German-speaking city, it’s a pulsating metropolis with a laid-back vibe, where tradition and modernity meet and blend into a perfect whole.

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Application Guide

Step by step to your WU program: Everything you need to know to apply for the program of your choice.

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Portrait of Heidemarie Straka, Program manager
Heidemarie Straka
Program Manager

Ask us

Do you have any further questions? As program manager, I’m here to answer any questions or requests you may have, right from the start. To get in touch, please use the online contact form or send an email to MasterEcon@wu.ac.at.

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