Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Degree Programs

Master's in Applied Economic Analysis

Our graduates are able to use the appropriate theoretical concepts, empirical methods and data to analyze applied questions relevant for economic policy making, private and public investment decisions and business strategy.

Skills in applied economic analysis have always been in high demand. With the recent, challenging developments in the global economy, their value has increased even more. Private firms as well as government agencies need the services of professionals who are able to combine economic theory with knowledge of the relevant data as well as the adequate empirical methods to answer all sorts of practical questions. In a globalized and crisis-prone environment with constantly changing economic conditions, strategic decisions of firms as well as the design of economic policies have to be based on competent and timely empirical analysis.

The Master in Applied Economic Analysis at the University of Bern is the first university-level program in Switzerland that is specifically aimed at teaching these skills. It provides a unique combination of state-of-the-art theoretical and methodological courses and regular applications to real-world cases. With an internationally renowned faculty, close ties to the capital city’s political decision makers as well as to the business community, the University of Bern is ideally placed to offer such a program.

Master Applied Economic Analysis
Basic information
Degree:
  • Master of Science in Applied Economic Analysis, Universität Bern
  • Master of Science in Applied Economic Analysis with special qualification in Regional Economic Development, Universität Bern
  • Master of Science in Applied Economic Analysis with special qualification in Trade and International Development, Universität Bern
Number of credits: 90 ECTS credits
Degree programs:

Mono 90 ECTS credits:

  • Applied Economic Analysis
  • Applied Economic Analysis with special qualification in Regional Economic Development
  • Applied Economic Analysis with special qualification in Trade and International Development
Duration: 3 semesters
Language: English
Beginning studies: Fall or spring semester

Details of program

Students of the program...

  • use scientific methods to treat applied economic questions,
  • apply economic theory to practical analytic cases
  • know how to use the best available data for empirical analysis 

Students acquire the following core competencies

  • Empirical skills (econometrics, data analysis, cost- benefit-analysis, valuation methods)
  • Applications of the acquired methodological skills to different areas of economic policy, investment decisions, and business strategy
  • Possible interdisciplinary specialization in regional economic development
  • Professional experience through an optional internship 

Unique Selling Points (USPs) of the program

  • First university-level program in Switzerland with focus on applied economic analysis
  • Clear focus on practical economic questions based on «state of the art» empirical methods
  • Geographically and institutionally close to Swiss economic policy decision makers 

Scheme of program

The Master in Applied Economic Analysis contains 90 ECTS.
The program includes the following parts:

Studienaufbau Applied Economic Analysis

Below you find a complete list of all eligible courses:

(Applicable to all students starting from fall semester 2019. The appendices of 2017 and 2015 apply to students who started their studies earlier.)

Core courses

Compulsory courses:

  • Applied Data Analysis
  • Applied Public Economics
  • Econometrics II
  • Macroeconomics II
  • Microeconomics II
  • Master-Colloquium

Elective Courses

 

You can find a list of the currently offered courses (spring and fall semester) here.

Master’s Thesis (20 ECTS)

The master’s degree in Applied Economic Analysis is completed with a master’s thesis containing 20 ECTS points. It is recommended to students to write a thesis in an applied and empirical topic.

Internship (optional, 6 ECTS)

It is optional for students of the program to do an internship of at least 3 months. It is the aim of the program to provide students with opportunities for high-quality internships at companies, public administrations and other partner organizations. The internship is an excellent opportunity for students to apply the studied material in practical environment and to build relationship to potential future employers.

Go to tab «Internship«

Internship

Internship

The internship is a central, but voluntary component of the Master’s degree program. It is an excellent opportunity for students to deploy the acquired skills in a practical environment and to build relationships to potential future employers. The program management offers students contacts to apply for high-quality internship positions at firms, public administrations, and other organizations.

Our partner organizations look for interns that have the necessary skills to pursue applied economic research. As by now, the network of partner organizations includes federal public administration, cantonal public administrations, financial institutions, business associations, and economic consulting companies.

Starting in 2014, the program management will distribute among students open internship positions for which students can apply. There is, however, no guarantee that a company or other organization will take an applicant as an intern. Nor is there a guarantee that the program management will provide an internship for every student. Nonetheless, it is the aim of the program management to provide a list of interesting internship positions.

If you have further questions concerning the internship, please contact us at maea@vwi.unibe.ch.

Guidelines Internship (PDF, 58KB)

Highlight on Students

Our students are motivated to advance or broaden their careers and change direction. Many were not economics majors and now want to deepen their skills in applied economic analysis. Here is what some of our students think of the Master in Applied Economic Analysis and what their motivation was to join the program.

André Brotto


Specialization:               Trade and International Development

Year of Graduation:       2020

First Position:                 Economic Research and Statistics Intern, World Trade Organization

Current Position:           Junior Research Economist, World Trade Organization

 
 

The MAEA is an excellent fit for anyone seeking a career as an international trade economist. The courses are a perfect blend of data analysis and theoretical economics. The lectures and seminars helped me to become a more analytical and communicative professional, capable of not just deploying empirical methods but also conveying ideas and results concisely. The program provided me with all the tools and resources necessary to contribute as an economist at the WTO.

Benjamin Lerch

Specialization:                       Regional Economic Development

Year of Graduation:               2018

First and Current Position:    PhD Student in Labor Economics at the Università della Svizzera
                                              italiana,  research focus: impact of automation on labor markets

 

The MAEA offers an outstanding study program that teaches the use of empirical methods to analyze complex economic problems. Thereby, it enables graduates to enter the labor market competitively, as digitization has significantly raised the demand for professionals who are able to combine economic theory with data and empirical models. I use the quantitative skills acquired in my studies on a daily basis in the evaluation of applied economic questions.

Nadina Pahud-Schiesser


Specialization:                       Regional Economic Development

Year of Graduation:               2018

First and Current Position:    Economist in the business domain spatial and location development, EBP Schweiz AG

 

The MAEA convincingly combines courses in economics and business administration with geography. The curriculum has a strong applied focus: It provides students with content that enables them to find answers to important economic questions from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Lisa Rasch


Specialization:                Regional Economic Development

Year of Graduation:        2018

First Position:                 Staff Intern in the Directorate for Resources, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Subsequent Position:    Scientific Staff Member in the Directorate for Resources, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

 
 

The MAEA is an integrative program that allows students to set their own thematic areas of focus. This enabled me to deepen my knowledge from both geography and economics. As to content, I was particularly interested in the lectures and seminars on regional development and sustainability. A personal highlight was my exchange semester at Korea University in Seoul.

Simone Lussi

Specialization:               Regional Economic Development

Year of Graduation:       2015

First Position:                Management Support for the Head of Regional Transport, SBB

Current Position:           Region Manager for Northwestern Switzerland, SBB

 

The MAEA appealed to me because of the opportunity to specialize in regional development as well as the applied orientation. In addition, the interdisciplinary character of the study program is unique. The holistic, joined-up thinking and analytical approach that I acquired during my studies helps me to solve the regional economic problems that occupy me in my daily work.

Deadlines

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the specialized master’s degree program in Applied Economic Analysis (mono):

a) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university in the branch of studies Economics
b) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university with at least 60 ECTS credits in the branch of studies Economics
c) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university with at least 30 ECTS credits in the branch of studies Economics (this must include coursework in the subjects of Econometrics, Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, each with a minimum grade of 5.0)
d) Bachelor's degree from a recognized foreign university with an equivalent qualification entitles students to admission in accordance with the recommendation made by the Study Committee. If you are applying with an international bachelor's degree, you must also provide proof of a GMAT score of a minimum of 575 points

or proof of a GRE score of a minimum of 154 points (quantitative reasoning).

Additional attainments of up to 60 ECTS credits may be required. These can either be admission requirements which must be fulfilled in order to complete the master's degree program or admission requirements which must be fulfilled before admission to the master's degree program. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

Recognition of the bachelor's degree will be individually decided upon if the degree is more than 6 years old. Additional attainments may be required.

Language requirements

Courses are conducted in English. A very good knowledge of English is required.

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application and admission

Application and admission

Admission requirements 
Application deadlines
 

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the M Sc in Applied Economic Analysis, Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Recognition of academic achievements
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration
   

Application with a Swiss degree

Online application
Assessment
Steps from application to registration
 

Application with an international degree

Online application
CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information
Steps from application to registration

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.