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M.Sc. International Economics and Business

M.Sc. International Economics and Business

Degree awarded Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Duration and credits 4 semesters; 120 ECTS credits
Starts in October (winter semester)
Languages of instruction English

About the programme

The M.Sc. International Economics and Business programme imparts in-depth expertise, skills and research methodology in micro- and macroeconomic theory as well as empirical economics with a focus on Global Economy, International Trade and Finance, and Governance, Institutions and Development.
The methodological competences, while geared primarily to economic analysis, are enriched with business administration-specific elements.
This degree programme is taught entirely in English.

Please read the Academic Advice Service's infosheet for details.

Introductory video

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Features

  • Focus on economics modules
  • Strong involvement of empirical research (laboratory and field experiments as well as secondary data analysis)
  • Includes selected modules on business administration and econometrics
  • Interdisciplinary modules count towards the degree
  • Excellent staff-student ratio due to small learning groups (about 20 to 30 students each year)
  • Combines theory and practice
  • Excellent results in the CHE Ranking (the university rankings scheme for the German-speaking world)
  • Numerous global university partnerships

Career Prospects

Economists work in a wide variety of occupations. Our graduates have been offered top-tier posts in academia and in the business world: executive posts in the private sector, in policy consultancies as well as in public-sector organisations and federal and state ministries. Many decide in favour of an academic career and follow up with doctoral study.

Programme details

Degree programme presentation

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The programme is divided into seven module groups and the master's thesis module:

A: Core Courses (25–30 ECTS credits)

The core econometrics, macroeconomics and microeconomics courses impart the central techniques required for the subsequent stages of your degree programme.

B: Advanced Methods (a minimum of 10 ECTS credits)

In this module group, you will be acquainted with advanced quantitative methods in in-depth econometrics and behaviour-oriented courses.

C: Global Economy, International Trade and Finance (a minimum of 10 ECTS credits)

This module group comprises courses on globalisation, trade and finance. You will learn about theories and apply empirical methods to understand human decision-making processes concerning investments, location, trade and finance as well as their respective systemic interactions and ways of influencing economic policy.

D: Governance, Institutions and Development (a minimum of 10 ECTS credits)

In this module group you will learn about theories and apply empirical methods to understand development theory and policy; institutional design; the fight against corruption; ethics; fiscal policy; and health economics.

E: Business Administration (a maximum of 20 ECTS credits)

Suitable business administration modules complement the knowledge acquired in module groups A to D.

F: Foreign Language with a business and economics focus (a maximum of 10 ECTS credits)

You will gain 10 ECTS credits in one of the following foreign languages offered by the Language Centre: Chinese, Czech, English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.

G: Interdisciplinary Modules (a maximum of 10 ECTS credits)

In this module group you may study master's-level modules taught at the other faculties of the University of Passau and have them counted towards your degree. This allows you to give your degree profile its own interdisciplinary orientation whilst exploring the methodology and subject matters in other disciplines at an advanced level.

Master's thesis

You will write your master's thesis on a topic from module group A, B, C or D. When you pass the thesis module, you are awarded 20 ECTS credits.

Please find the complete description of the programme in the infosheet from the Academic Advice Service.

Academic requirements

To apply, you must possess a strong undergraduate degree, particularly excelling in economics and quantitative methods. Specifically, your degree should include at least 35 ECTS credits in economics (gained in subjects such as microeconomics, macroeconomics and/or economic policy) and at least 15 ECTS credits in mathematics and statistics. Grades in these subjects should be notably high to strengthen your application. Beyond this, there are no specific requirements on the content of your first degree programme.

If you have not yet received your final results and certificates at the time of application, you may apply using your Transcript of Records or other preliminary transcript. If you are successful in your application, you should then submit a transcript of at least 140 ECTS by the end of the tenth week of lectures in the first semester. You can then complete your undergraduate degree in parallel with the Master's programme by the end of the 2nd  semester.

If the evaluation of your submitted documents is positive, you will be invited for an aptitude test consisting of a written exam and an interview. The test can be taken in person or via a video conference.

German language requirements

This degree programme can be completed entirely in English. However, to be able to get by in Germany, students are nonetheless required to have German language skills at level A1 CEFR (beginner's level). If you do not meet this requirement at the time of your application, you will be offered a free beginner's German course during your first year of study. By the end of that year, you have to be able to present a German language certificate at level A1 CEFR.

English language requirements

You should submit a recognised English language certificate at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), unless English is your native language or the language of instruction for your prior university or secondary education. If this is the case, please upload a confirmation from your prior university or school that English was the teaching language together with your application.

The following is also accepted as proof:

  • School leaving certificate which explicitly mentions the attainment of level B2 CEFR in English
  • Transcript from a higher education institution which confirms the attainment of level B2 CEFR in English
  • Having attained the Intermediate 2 stage of the Business and Economics subject-specific language programme (FFA) in English at the University of Passau

New: Direct applications for students from EU or EEA countries for this programme

If you’re applying for this programme with qualifications from a member state of the European Union or European Economic Area, you can apply directly to the University of Passau rather than through uni-assist. Since your application will be processed directly by the University, you won't be charged any handling fees. At the application stage, you will simply need to upload scans of the required documents. Once you've been offered a place, you will need to submit your originals or authenticated paper-based copies either by post or deposit them in our letterbox at the time of enrolment in Passau.

Application periods and deadlines

Application period for the winter semester:

  • 15 April - 30 June (direct applications)
  • 1 April - 30 June (applications via uni-assist e.V.)

Please use the interactive application guide to find out which application method you should use. 

Application period for the summer semester:

This programme does not accept an intake for a summer semester start.

Self-assessment test

Many applicants confuse business administration courses with economics courses and are disappointed when they are rejected. Enter the titles of your courses here that you think are economics courses. If you have already completed Master's courses in economics, these can also be taken into account. You will immediately receive an AI-generated, non-binding answer as to whether or not the course in question should be classified as an economics course.

If you have enough economics courses, use our self-assessment test to find out whether you have the skills for the degree programme and to get a first impression of the possible programme content. This questionnaire only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

What our students say

Xenia Kirzuk

Xenia Kirzuk

Student, International Economics and Business

The mix of business administration and economics was crucial for my choice of university. The lectures are engaging and always make reference to current events.

Adrian Goller

Adrian Goller

Student, International Economics and Business

The excellent staff-student ratio means the solidarity among us students is like family.

Studycheck

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MSc International Economics students' experiences

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