The aim of this programme is to train academics to understand and analyse current practical economic and social questions, explain and communicate their analyses to a wide range of audiences, put their analyses in wider contexts and go on to work with specialists from other disciplines. Various components such as a dissertation, seminars, group work, study reports and work placement reports will enable students to acquire skills in writing and expression required to practise economics at a professional level. To make the link between theory and practice, work placements and outside study visits (especially in developing countries) are available. Exchanges and other kinds of collaboration with foreign universities offer students the chance of becoming familiar with another culture, improving their foreign language skills and experiencing different kinds of teaching methods.
The programme is centred on a foundation which is both solid and covers a variety of subjects. Starting from this common foundation, three different focuses are available. The research focus develops methods of analysis and research. The professional focus enables students to acquire skills in a special area depending on their chosen career. The teaching focus is mainly designed for students who are aiming for a teaching career in higher secondary education.
This a joint programme run by UCL and the University Faculties of Notre-Dame de la Paix in Namur (Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix –FUNDP)within the Economics School of Louvain. The core subjects and professional focus are shared, being taught in French on one campus and English on the other (Louvain-la-Neuve and Namur respectively).
There is also close cooperation with the Economics Department of KULeuven : students may study up to three subjects from the relevant programme at KULeuven without having to seek special permission to do so.
A. course structure
The 120 credit Master in Economic Science (general) is made up of
- core subjects of 60 credits relating to the area chosen;
- a focus (research, teaching or professional) of 30 credits ;
- options and/or additional subjects relating to the focus for 30 credits.
Each year of the two year course must contain 60 credits.
Core subjects (60 credits)
The core subjects are made up of three components :
20 credits for basic training ;
20 credits for optional subjects ;
20 credits for a dissertation.
Focuses (30 credits)
Three kinds of focus are available :
- a research focus leading to research;
- a teaching focusleading to teaching (FUNDP in Namur, UCL in Louvain-la-Neuve);
- a professional focus leading to economics as a career.
Students select their focus on joining the course. It is possible to change this decision, at the latest by 1 November of the first year; however this may, to a greater or lesser extent, complicate the choice of possible subjects or other activities. (cf. below)
Options and optional subjects (30 credits)
Depending on which focus they have selected, students make up their programme with one or more of the following options and/or optional subjects.
1. Professional options (30 credits)
Students who select a professional focus can choose one of the following eight professional options (each of which is worth 30 credits).
1. Cycles, Growth and Globalisation (UCL in Louvain-la-Neuve)
2. Development Economics (FUNDP in Namur)
3. Financial Economics (UCL and FUNDP in Namur)
4. Public Economics and Social Policies, Norms and Institutions. (UCL in Louvain-la-Neuve)
5. Political Economy and Social Policies (UCL in Louvain-la-Neuve)
6. Economic Policy (FUNDP in Namur)
7. Economics of Business Strategies and Innovation (UCL in Louvain-la-Neuve)
8. European Business (UCL in Louvain-la-Neuve)
NOTE: These options are also available for students who choose the teaching focus.
2. Advanced Economic Analysis I Option (15 credits)
Students doing the research focus are strongly recommended to take this option which is reserved for them. They will have the opportunity of applying the most advanced methods of analysis to particular sectors of the economy.
3. Extra options
These extra options are open to all students irrespective of the focus they have chosen.
Options with a professional perspective (15 credits)
These options are open to all students irrespective of their focus. Students doing a research focus will acquire basic training in an area other than their main specialisation. (30 credits ; cfr above).
Options which enhance a specialisation (15 credits)
These options enable students with a professional focus to do more in-depth training in their chosen area of specialisation; this option is therefore only open to students with the relevant specialisation.
Quantitative Methods Option (15 credits)
Students who choose this option will consolidate their training in quantitative methods.
Professional Foreign Language Options (Louvain-la-Neuve ; 15 credits)
This option offers the opportunity for in-depth study of one of three Germanic languages (English, German or Dutch).
Language and International Outlook (Namur ; 15 credits)
This option offers the opportunity for in-depth study of one or two languages (English, German, Dutch and Spanish), learning a new language (possibly in the context of a work placement) and encourages an international outlook which puts language learning into context.
4. Optional subjects
Depending on their other choices, students may make up their programme with one or several subjects from the list of optional subjects (see the detailed list).
Whatever focuses and options are chosen, the programme for this Master must total a minimum of 120 credits, spread over two years of study. This corresponds to 60 credits per year.
