The Department of Economics at LMU Munich offers a 4-semester Master’s Program in Economics taught in English. The program starts each year in October (winter term) and leads to a Degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Economics.
After a successfull start in 2010 the Master's Program has undergone a reform. With consideration of some changes in the legal regulations and reacting on suggestions of former and current students, the restructured program focus' is even more on providing a sound methodological knowledge in advanced economics combined with the possibility of either a specialization within or picking different subjects out of the wide selection of modules.
The following information refers to the program as of 2013.
The program is structured into a number of modules. One module comprises 12 ECTS points and consists of a combination of lectures and tutorials that are coordinated both thematically and with regard to schedule. A total of 120 ECTS points must be acquired for graduation. The workload per semester is 30 ECTS points. Out of the total of 120 ECTS points, 60 ECTS points – including the Master’s thesis – must be gained in the Compulsory Modules (CM). The Optional Modules (OM) also account for 60 ECTS points.
In the first semester, students attend basic lectures in five compulsory courses. In the second and third semesters, students are flexible to freely choose their courses from a wide selection of optional modules. However, students also have the possibility to specialize in certain fields.
Furthermore, students have the option of choosing research-oriented courses that are taught on Ph.D. level (independently from their specialization).
Students write a Master’s thesis in the fourth semester, demonstrating their ability to produce independent scientific work in a specific area of economics.
The entry requirement for the Master’s Program in Economics is either a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics at LMU Munich or an equivalent degree; in both cases the grade "2.0" must have been achieved. Candidates with grades not "2.0" or better but at least "2.5" may take a written test.
If the equivalence in grade is unclear but the content of the course is sufficiently close to that of an Economics degree the applicant has to take a written test.
The application period for the Master’s Program in Economics is from April 1st to April 30th each year. All applicants must use the online applications portal on our website.
The credit points are based upon the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and the workload for lectures and tutorials. ECTS points capture formal teaching in lectures and tutorials, time spent for preparation and revision of the material as well as the requirements for exam preparation and the exam results achieved. One credit point is meant to correspond to 30 hours of work, as determined by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (Kultusministerkonferenz) of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany.
