For admission to the master’s program applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

• The applicant must hold a higher education degree or professional qualification from a German or comparable non-German institution.
• They must be able to provide proof that they acquired at least 30 credit points in economics in their previous higher education degree, including at least 6 credit points in the fundamentals of theoretical microeconomics, as well as at least 24 credit points in quantitative methods (mathematics, statistics, or econometrics). In total the applicant must have acquired at least 72 credit points in economics and quantitative methods. Credit points in business administration will not be counted in this regard.
• Proof of English language skills (level B2 CEFR). Applicants who have not obtained their university degree at an educational institution where English is the first language of instruction must provide proof of English language proficiency at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• Proof of German language skills (DSH certificate). Applicants who have completed their degree at a foreign university or equivalent institution or who have a degree from a German university that was not completed in German must provide proof of German language proficiency. The majority of our courses are taught in English. However, there are courses taught in German. A good knowledge of German is also required for independent study organization.

You can find more information in our admission regulations (in German).

You do not have to pay tuition fees at Freie Universität Berlin. Administrative fees and a regular contribution to the semester ticket for public transportation are the only payments you will need to make.

The program incorporates the economic disciplines of public finance, economic policy, and macroeconomics, and imparts theoretical and empirical competencies to students that allow them to make analyses of economic policies from an academic perspective. Having gained an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of theoretical models and econometrics, students establish a research profile by attending courses in economic theory, empirical economics, or economic policy analysis. Additionally, students can gain competencies in areas of business and law as well as interdisciplinary skills and knowledge of institutions. The built-in three-month internship provides you with insights into the work of economists and allows you to network with professionals in preparation for your future career.

For more information, please visit the program's website (linked above).

One of the specific advantages of our department is that we cooperate closely with the different central institutes at Freie Universität. You will get the opportunity to attend economics courses at the Institute for East European Studies, Institute for Latin American Studies, and the John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies if you so wish. By examining economic research questions related to a specific regional context, you can become an expert in one of the above regions while pursuing your studies.

Another unique feature of studying at our department is that we work together with the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin). This gives you the chance to learn directly from the researchers of this prestigious institution and gain exclusive insights into current research.

The master’s degree program in Public Economics equips you with the tools you will need to work in this field. You will also get the opportunity to learn about important legal topics. In our “Knowledge Transfer” module – which is one-of-a-kind in Germany – you will learn how to communicate your research from an experienced journalist specialized in economics. You can also learn practical skills, such as how to write a policy paper, in specialized modules.

The master’s program in Public Economics consists of required modules, required electives, application-oriented modules, and a master’s thesis that forms a capstone to your studies.

The required modules worth 36 credit points in total build on your existing knowledge of theoretical and empirical methods. This requires a solid understanding of microeconomic theory, as the focus here will be on researching questions from the field of public finance.

By taking required electives in line with your interests you can create your own individual research profile. Completing two 12 credit point modules will give you a comprehensive background in economic theory, empirical economics, or economic policy analysis and the opportunity to produce your own research. You can also attend other lectures and seminars from the topics modules (worth 6 credit points) in order to pursue broader interests. Students who are looking for a particular intellectual challenge can participate in advanced modules (worth 6 credit points), which can sometimes be credited toward a doctoral degree later on.

You will be able to put the knowledge you have gained through our master’s program to good use in our application-oriented modules. You will also do a full-time internship with a focus on the economic analysis of policy issues lasting thirteen-and-a-half weeks. The mandatory internship opens up the doors of different ministries, associations, and institutions to you. Alternatively, you can participate in a research project of the same duration so that you can gain experience in independent research and determine in which area you would like to specialize.

The degree program culminates in the master’s thesis, which should show that students are able to conduct independent research using scientific/academic methods and present their work. The master’s thesis is accompanied by a colloquium (Academic Practice) in which students present and discuss the results of their research.

Upon successful completion of the master’s degree program, the student will receive a Master of Science (M.Sc.) university degree.

The structure and progression of the program is laid out in the degree program and examination regulations, which also includes detailed descriptions of the contents and learning objectives for the individual modules as well as a standard curriculum plan.