Economics

Check if you meet the programme requirements and sign up

• I have a Dutch university-level (WO) bachelor’s degree

  If you have a School of Business and Economics degree from VU Amsterdam

  With a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Economics, Econometrics and Operations Research, Econometrics and Data Science, or (International) Business Administration from VU Amsterdam, you are admissible, provided you meet the specific requirements outlined here.

  BSc Economics and Business Economics, BSc Bedrijfskunde, BSc International Business Administration

  • Microeconomics II (E_EBE2_MICEC, Period 4)
  • Macroeconomics II (E_EBE2_MACEC, Period 1)
  • Quantitative Research Methods III -  Economics and Finance (E_EBE3_QRMEF, Period 4)

  BSc Econometrics and Data Science, BSc Econometrics and Operations Research

  There are no additional requirements. The following courses are not a strict requirement but strongly recommended:

  • Microeconomics II (E_EBE2_MICEC, Period 4)
  • Macroeconomics II (E_EBE2_MACEC, Period 1)

  If you have a WO bachelor’s degree from another Dutch university (or a different VU faculty)                                       

  We expect you to have successfully completed courses on the following subjects at the specified level, with content that is comparable to the listed example textbook: 

  • Microeconomics An intermediate-level course that covers, among others, topics such as i) consumer theory ii) producer theory ii) equilibrium, exchange, and welfare iii) game theory iv) monopoly and oligopoly. Example textbook: Varian, H.R., Intermediate Microeconomics, Norton, 9th ed., 2014, Chapters 1-6, 14-16, 19-26, 28-30, 32-34. 
  • Macroeconomics An intermediate-level course that covers, among others, topic such as i) macroeconomic data ii) growth facts iii) Solow model iv) OLG Model v) dynamic consumption-saving model vi) fiscal policy. Example textbook: Garín, J., R. Lester, and E. Sims, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Claremont McKenna College, Typescript. v. 3.0.1, Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13. 
  • Econometrics and Statistics An intermediate-level course that covers, among others, topics such as: i) linear regression with one or multiple regressors ii) computing standard errors and hypothesis testing iii) heteroskedasticity iv) non-linear models such as interacted variables and log-transformations. Example textbook: Stock, J.H. and M.W. Watson, Introduction to Econometrics, Pearson, 4^th ed., 2019, Chapters 2-9. 
  • Mathematics for Economists An intermediate-level course that covers among others the concepts of i) functions of one and more variables ii) limits, sequences and series iii) differentiation and integration iv) unconstrained and constrained optimization v) basic linear algebra and matrices. Example textbook: Sydsaeter, K. and P. Hammond et al., Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis, Prentice Hall, recent edition. 

  Approval is in most cases gives to students who hold a:

  • Bachelor's degree in economics or econometrics
  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, social sciences and sciences with sufficient elective courses in economics
  • Bachelor's degree from a University College with a specialization in sciences or social sciences and sufficient economics courses
  • Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) or in Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE) with sufficient economics and quantitative courses

  Students who do not meet the admission criteria can be:

  • admitted conditional on passing one or more Bachelor courses
  • requested to make up for deficiencies through self study
  • admitted to the transfer programme (a minimal GRE score may be required)

  Application steps

  1. Apply via Studielink before 1 June. You receive a VUnet-ID with password unless you already have one.
  2. Complete your application in your VU Dashboard by answering additional questions and uploading the Master Application File. You can find the application file on the SBE master application webpage. In this file you can see which documents are required. Please note: we can only process your application when you uploaded a complete Master Application File. 
  3. The Admission Board will review your application and notify you by email.

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) bachelor’s degree

  If you hold an HBO bachelor’s degree, you must first complete a transfer programme to bridge the gap to the WO level. The Master’s in Economics requires a solid academic foundation in economics, so this transfer programme is quite extensive, amounting to 42 ECTS and is typically completed over two years. If you prefer a shorter transfer route that can be finished within one year, you may want to consider the Master’s in Spatial and Applied Economics.

  The transfer programme consists of

  1. Minimum GRE score (VR 152, QR 160, AW 3.5)
  2. Courses in 1^st year:
     • Quantitative Research Methods II (E_EBE2_QRM2, Period 1)
     • Microeconomics I (E_EBE1_MICEC, Period 2)
     • Macroeconomics I (E_EBE1_MACEC, Period 4)
  3. Courses in 2^nd year:
     • Quantitative Research Methods II (E_EBE2_QRM2, Period 1)
     • Macroeconomics II (E_EBE2_MACEC, Period 4)
     • Microeconomics II (E_EBE2_MICEC, Period 2)
     • Quantitative Research Methods III -  Economics and Finance (E_EBE3_QRMEF, Period 4)

  Application steps

  1. Apply for the MSc Economics via Studielink. You receive a VUnet-ID with password unless you already have one.
  2. Complete your application in your VU Dashboard by answering additional questions and uploading the Master Application File. You can find the application file on the SBE master application webpage. In this file you can see which documents are required. Please note: we can only process your application when you uploaded a complete Master Application File. 
  3. The admission board will send you an admission decision which contains all relevant information.

• I have an international degree

  Academic requirements

  Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years). Please find more information about your admissibility with a non-Dutch degree here. 

  Programme specific requirements

  We expect you to have successfully completed courses on the following subjects at the specified level, with content that is comparable to the listed example textbook: 

  • Microeconomics An intermediate-level course that covers, among others, topics such as i) consumer theory ii) producer theory ii) equilibrium, exchange, and welfare iii) game theory iv) monopoly and oligopoly. Example textbook: Varian, H.R., Intermediate Microeconomics, Norton, 9th ed., 2014, Chapters 1-6, 14-16, 19-26, 28-30, 32-34. 
  • Macroeconomics An intermediate-level course that covers, among others, topic such as i) macroeconomic data ii) growth facts iii) Solow model iv) OLG Model v) dynamic consumption-saving model vi) fiscal policy. Example textbook: Garín, J., R. Lester, and E. Sims, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Claremont McKenna College, Typescript. v. 3.0.1, Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13. 
  • Econometrics and Statistics An intermediate-level course that covers, among others, topics such as: i) linear regression with one or multiple regressors ii) computing standard errors and hypothesis testing iii) heteroskedasticity iv) non-linear models such as interacted variables and log-transformations. Example textbook: Stock, J.H. and M.W. Watson, Introduction to Econometrics, Pearson, 4^th ed., 2019, Chapters 2-9. 
  • Mathematics for Economists An intermediate-level course that covers among others the concepts of i) functions of one and more variables ii) limits, sequences and series iii) differentiation and integration iv) unconstrained and constrained optimization v) basic linear algebra and matrices. Example textbook: Sydsaeter, K. and P. Hammond et al., Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis, Prentice Hall, recent edition. 

  If your application does not provide proof of completed coursework at the minimally required level, then it may be rejected, or you may be requested to make up for deficiencies through self study. Students with a strong technical background (Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics, and possibly Engineering) are encouraged to apply.

  How to demonstrate that you meet the above requirements 

  You are required to indicate in the course description section of the Application Form how you meet the programme specific admission requirements.  

  Whether you meet the admission requirements, is determined by the Admission Board based on your complete application. 

  English-language proficiency requirements  

  You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page. 

  Application documents

  • Scan of passport or national ID (EEA students only)
  • Completed Master Application Form
  • Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)

  After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. 

  Application fee & deadlines

  • €100 non-refundable application fee (valid for two years, only payable once even if applying for multiple programmes)
  • Deadlines are stated on the page explaining the application procedure. 

  Scholarships

  See VU Scholarships and study in NL for funding opportunities.

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  Do you have questions about student life at the VU and living in Amsterdam. Our International Student and Alumni Ambassadors are happy to share their experiences.