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ECONOMICS

Master's Degree Programme

About the programme 
Language: English  (See language requirements)  | Place of study: Aarhus  |  Commencement: August / September and January / February

Introduktion

Internationally Renowned Research Environment

The two-year MSc programme in Economics gives students an in-depth familiarity with a range of economics and management disciplines. The programme is flexible, as students can specialise in a specific field or a combination of economics and management.

Researchers within the programme work in the fields of finance, macroeconomics, microeconomics, econometrics, and economics of business. The MSc programme allows students to create a personal academic profile within one or across several of these fields. Progress in the chosen courses is closely followed and monitored to ensure the students’ academic development. Each semester, the department offers about 25 elective courses. The broad range of courses allows you to specialize in a particular field of interest and to compose an individual course programme.

The courses are taught on a high level and require that students are interested in and are thoroughly versed in mathematics, econometrics, and economic theory.

In the Company of Nobel Laureates

Students enrolled in the programme are based at the Department of Economics and Business Economics. The department is renowned for setting high academic standards, and the department engages in close collaboration with many leading international researchers, including Nobel Laureates Dale T. Mortensen (February 2, 1939 – January 9, 2014) and Robert F. Engle. The department’s outstanding research environment includes the Center for Research in Econometric Analysis of Time Series (CREATES), where Nobel laureate Robert F. Engle serves as member of the advisory board.

International Diversity

The academic environment at the department is characterized by international diversity: more than one-third of faculty members and PhD students have an international background. The international atmosphere provides the basis for an enriched and challenging student life.

A Personal Academic Profile

The department conducts research and teaching in the following fields:

  • Finance
  • Macroeconomics
  • Microeconomics
  • Econometrics
  • Economics of Business

The degree programme allows students to create a personal academic profile within one or across several of these fields. There is a compulsory progression in the chosen courses, which ensures students' academic development. Each semester, the department offers about 25 elective courses. The broad range of courses allows you to specialise in a particular field of interest and to compose an individual course programme.

MSc in Economics Frank, Daniel and Christian explains why there is a need for graduates from this degree programme. Janne tells about her motivation for choosing Economics.

Admission requirements

In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the master's degree programme in Economics. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements: 

1. International and other qualifications


This section is relevant for you, if you have: 

  • a Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an institution outside of Denmark or
  • a Bachelor's degree or equivalent from a Danish institution, which does not ensure you a 'Legal right of admission´ or 'Direct admission'.

The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish institution: 

2. Legal right of admission
3. Direct admission


Below you will also be able to learn more about language requirements and find out whether or not this master's degree programme has a limited intake. 


1. International and other qualifications

If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements: 

General admission requirement

You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS). 

For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database

Specific admission requirements

If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements. 

You can be admitted to the master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below. 

Subject area Number of ECTS
Microeconomics 20
Macroeconomics 20
Statistics and Econometrics   20
Accounting, Finance and Investment  20
Mathematics 15
Total  95

'Professional Bachelor's degree' and other Danish qualifications

Certain Professional Bachelor's degrees or similar covering specific subject areas from other Danish institutions have been determined to fullfill the admission requirements to this master's degree programme:

If you hold a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from Aarhus University, you are qualified if you have passed the following electives in your 5th semester:   

One of the following courses:  

  • Introduction to Empirical Economics: 10 ECTS 

  • 3620: Econometrics 1: 10 ECTS 

Two of the following courses:  

  • 3410: Micro 1: 10 ECTS  

  • 3505 Macro 1: 10 ECTS  

  •  Investments and Corporate Finance: 10 ECTS  

We cannot assess in advance whether your specific degree will meet the above requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the programme if you believe that you meet the academic requirements. In this regard, it is a good idea to compare your degree with the programmes that provide direct admission. 

2. Legal right of admission

The following bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles you to an offer of admission to the master's degree programme in Economics: 

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Economics from Aarhus University  

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Public Policy from Aarhus University 

Please note that the you must apply for admission to the master's degree programme witin three years of completing your bacherlor's degree programme.

Learn more about 'Legal right of admission'

3. Direct admission

Certain bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this master's degree programme in Economics:

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Economics from Aarhus University (BSc in Economics)  

  • Bachelor's degree programme from Aarhus University (BSc in Public Policy)  

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Economics and Management from University of Copenhagen (BSc in Economics)  

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Economics from University of Southern Denmark (BSc in Economics)  

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Economics from Aalborg University (BSc in Economics)  

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Mathematics-Economics from Aarhus University (BSc in Mathematics-Economics)  

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Mathematics-Economics from University of Copenhagen (BSc in Mathematics-Economics)  

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Mathematics-Economics from University of Southern Denmark (BSc in Mathematics-Economics)  

  • Bachelor's degree programme in Mathematics-Economics from Aalborg University (BSc in Mathematics-Economics) 

Download appendix for your application

You must fill in this appendix and upload it to the application portal. The appendix helps the Admission Board to assess your application.
Download appendix


Limited intake and selection criteria

This degree programme does not have a limited intake. 

All qualified applicants will receive an offer of admission. If you have a certain degree from Aarhus University or another other Danish institution (degree porgrammes with 'Legal right of admission' or 'Direct admission') are guarenteed an offer of admission to this master's degree programme. 

English language requirements

In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements

Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement. 

Assesment of qualifications

Unfortunately, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications


Programme Structure

Academic regulations
 

Here you can finde the academic regulations for the programme

Student Life

At the Department of Economics and Business Economics, there is close contact between lecturers and students. The department has many study areas and excellent IT facilities. When you need a break from your books, the Economics Association organizes study tours, parties, company visits, etc.

The Department of Economics and Business Economics is located at the AU campus at Fuglesangs Allé, DK-8210 Aarhus V. At the campus you will find all important facilities including the main library, teaching rooms and lecture halls.

The department’s active student environment offers a wide range of both academic and social activities.

You share the canteen with students from other economics' and business administration programmes. Teaching will consist of a combination of lectures and classroom tutorials.

A Typical Week

Notice: The actual schedule for a student depends on the specific courses chosen. Most students also use the weekends to prepare for lectures and classes.

Monday

08:00–12:00 Preparation
12:00–14:00 Lecture
14:00–16:00 Lecture

Tuesday

08:00–11:00 Lecture
12:00–14:00 Lecture
14:00–16:00 Preparation

Wednesday

08:00–10:00 Lecture
11:00–13:00 Preparation
13:00–16:00 Work in study group

Thursday

08:00–12:00 Preparation
12:00-16:00 Work in study group

Friday

08:00–10:00 Lecture
10:00-15:00 Work in study group

Social Life

As a student of economics and management, you are part of an active study environment, which is not just about socio-economic discussions. There is a whole host of clubs and associations, which you can join.

The department’s active student environment offers a wide range of both academic and social activities.

Follow the student life at Aarhus University

-experienced, photographed and filmed by the students themselves.

 With thousands of pictures #AUInternational, #AarhusUni gives insight into the everyday life as a student at AU; the parties, procrastination, exams and all the other ways you’ll spend your time at university.

The photos belong to the users, shared with #AUInternational and #AarhusUni.

Career

Job Functions for Grads

The chart shows the five most common types of work for graduates 1-2 years after finishing their degree. The data is derived from a survey made by Epinion for the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and Aarhus University in 2020.

Career reflections from Aarhus Universitet on Vimeo.

Graduates in High Demand

Economics graduates are in very high demand in the job market. Many graduates achieve top executive positions in the corporate world (e.g. financial institutions and consulting firms) or management advisory positions in the public sector (e.g. ministries and local authorities). Graduates of Economics enjoy some of the highest lifetime earnings and lowest unemployment rates among university graduates in Denmark.

Progress to the PhD Programme

Students who are interested in pursuing an academic career may also progress to the PhD programme.  There are options for both a three-year programme for students having completed their master degree and a four-year programme, where students are enrolled after having completed the first year of the master programme.

From Studies to the First Job

  • ”You do not start in your dream job. You work your way to your dream job.” (Cand.oecon)
  • ”I think that it is crucial to have a relevant student job. The contact to the job market before graduation is very important.” (Cand.oecon)
  • “Be determined and focused in your application. Make it short and precise. Demonstrate that you have made some research on the company and that you have some ideas on what is important to them.” (Cand.oecon)

We want to help our students find successful careers. Students can always contact our Career Services for advice and assistance with getting onto the Danish labour market. Check out our careers page to see the range of services we offer.