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Designing policy to deal with societal challenges

Public Economics and Policy (Spatial and Applied Economics)

Are you ready to build the government of the future? In a time of rapid technological change, demographic shifts, and increasing global uncertainty, the need for smart, effective public policy has never been greater. But designing good policy is not easy.

You will dive into important questions such as:

  • How can we make welfare, pension, and healthcare systems sustainable as populations age?  
  • How do we tackle rising inequality through tax reform without undermining work incentives?  
  • What is the right way to regulate big tech and curb the growing market power of dominant firms?  
  • And how should governments respond to unexpected shocks — from financial crises and pandemics to climate change and energy insecurity? 

In the specialisation Public Economics and Policy, you will gain the skills to answer these questions — and many more. You’ll start by learning how markets work and when they may fail. Then you’ll explore how economic policies influence behavior and shape society. You’ll see how well-designed policies can address market failures and promote a fairer, more resilient society. 

What sets this specialisation apart is the integration of core courses in public economics and applied policy analysis with a broad range of electives for exploring specific policy domains in depth. By the end, you’ll not only understand how public policies work, but also be ready to contribute to their design.

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Thursday 27 November 2025

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MSc Spatial and Applied Economics

Discover your ideal Spatial and Applied Economics specialisation

Why study Public Economics and Policy?

Studying Public Economics and Policy allows you to be taught by an expert staff that is leading in research and active in policy debates. The programme is unique that it allows you to choose courses in related fields, such as urban, transport, environmental, health, real estate, and development economics. Grounded in real-world data and rigorous empirical methods, the programme equips you to assess and shape policies at the household, local, and national level.

Recognized for its excellence, the programme has been ranked the Best Economics Master’s in the Netherlands by Keuzegids Masters 2025, consistently receives high ratings in the National Student Survey, and earned a bronze medal in Elsevier’s Best Studies 2023.

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