Why this programme?
The Research Master programme in Economic and Financial Research is a high-level programme designed for bachelor graduates who wish to further challenge themselves. A limited number of students attend the Research Master in Economic and Financial Research which makes participating a unique experience. Because of the small group size, you have intense contact with your fellow students and tutors. Our best researchers and (inter-)national experts are involved in the coordination and education of the courses. Moreover, during your studies you have the opportunity to further tailor-make your study experience by following courses related to your personal specialty (within the university or elsewhere).
The Research Master programme is the ideal preparation for the PhD programme. The majority of our research master students therefore participate in our teaching activities (first year) and participate in a research internship (second year). Thus, while receiving a financial compensation for participating in these activities, you get a first impression of life as an academic professional.
Also if you decide to pursue your career in economics or finance, a Research Master diploma significantly improves your career prospects. As you are trained in research methodology and techniques, as well as in your chosen field of expertise, your diploma allows you to enter high-end positions in organizations. Nowadays, the skills to work with quantitative and qualitative data is an asset that is highly valued within governmental, private, and public institutes.
Graduates will receive a Master of Science degree in Economic and Financial Research.
Working towards a PhD
During my first year, I taught undergraduate courses for a semester, and I can’t imagine a more rewarding student job. In the next year, I’ll be specialising in Econometrics. I might even supplement that with a more statistical course at the RWTH Aachen. I’ll also be a research assistant to Jean-Pierre Urbain, who’s specialised in Time Series and Panel Data, and will initially work on programming some of the methods he’s developed. Actually, most students have found a supervisor for the research assistantship and also used the first year for teaching. When I started the programme, I was far from convinced I’d go beyond a master’s. Now I definitely plan to apply for PhD programmes in Econometrics, but everything else is still written in the stars.
Peter Thesling, Economic and Financial Research student
World-class education
It's never business as usual at Maastricht University. Not only do our academic programmes incorporate the latest developments in each field, but we also focus on research and innovation in education itself. One of our three university-wide research themes is Learning & Innovation. With the creation of EdLab and the continuing improvement of our education strategies, you can be confident that not only will you know your chosen discipline inside and out, but you will also have the best learning experience possible.
What will you learn?
Your learning experience will cover general research methodologies, including those that are specific to economics and finance. At the end of the programme, you will be able to:
- research economics and finance topics to the highest standards using the latest methodologies
- analyse and interpret recent literature in your field of interest
- demonstrate how to increase the impact of your research
What skills will you develop?
In this programme, you’ll focus on two main skill sets. You’ll learn the methodologies for close analysis that will allow you to contribute to the development of research in economics or finance, such as:
- computational econometrics
- operations research software
- experimental economic methods
- data analysis
You’ll also learn the general academic skills needed to succeed in research, such as:
- academic writing in English
- writing a review
- presentation skills
Student profile
Economic and Financial Research is a challenging programme that attracts the very best students. A bachelor’s degree in economics, finance or econometrics is a plus, but degrees in other disciplines demonstrating quantitative skills are also welcome. You may also be exempt from certain components of the programme if you already have a master’s degree.
Amazing education opportunities @ SBE
Excellence programmes
To help students to excel, we developed the following excellence programmes:
- International Triangle Programme
- Dual Degree Programmes
- Global Innovation Challenge
- MARBLE Programme
- PREMIUM Honours Programme
Internships Office & TIP
The Internship Office has an extensive database of internship opportunities and is on hand for guidance and counselling. Students also have the option of combining their thesis and internship. During the Thesis-Internship Programme (TIP), your thesis will be written on a topic relevant to a company or organisation during a part-time internship.
Career development & Maastricht Business Days
We believe that partnerships, networking and Problem-Based Learning are crucial to connect our students to the business world. Together with our partners and alumni, we organise events to support students in their development and expand their networks.
Collaborative learning
Master’s courses are taught weekly in seminar-style meetings with small groups of 12 - 24 students, often together with PhD students from Maastricht and other universities. Researchers from various fields cover different research methodologies each week, giving you a great overview of what methods are available and when to use them.
Teaching assistantship
To help lighten the financial burden of studying and to help you develop teaching skills, we offer teaching assistant positions for which you may receive a grant. You can apply for a teaching assistant position and the grant during the first year of the research master's programme.
Research assistant grant
During the second year of the programme, you can also work as a research assistant. You’ll work closely with a member of our academic staff to further hone your research skills, and you may receive a grant to help pay for your study expenses. You can apply for a research assistant position and the grant prior to the start of your second year.
International experience
Maastricht University is among the top 15 most international universities in the world. We encourage our students to see themselves as world citizens, and our educational programmes encourage study abroad, multilingualism, cultural exchange and sensitivity, and international career goals.
The International Classroom
UM offers an international environment where our differences become our strengths. From day one, you’ll be challenged with differing viewpoints and experiences as you interact with staff and students from all over the world. These interactions help foster your understanding and ability to navigate our globalised world. The School of Business and Economics is one of the most international faculties at Maastricht University, with international students (60%) and staff (55%) representing roughly 60 different nationalities.
We Are Global
Take your degree anywhere!
The SBE has the ‘Triple Crown’ of accreditations: from the American AASCB, the British AMBA and the European-wide EQUIS. This means that your degree is recognised in most places throughout the world: perfect for an international career or postgraduate studies abroad.
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