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.

Key Learning Outcomes common to all ESL Masters:

1. Analytical skills. When deploying and economic analysis of specific and often complex issues, the student will be able to

• 1.1. Identify the relevant issues, grasp the essential elements that are necessary to a proper understanding
• 1.2. Identify what makes an economic model useful, in which context it can be used, and be aware of the role of key assumptions underpinning that model
• 1.3 Identify, beyond the specific and diverse real-life problems, the general methods that are relevant to an economic analysis
• 1.4. Conduct a clear and rigorous analytical reasoning
• 1.5 Identify relevant empirical methods to evaluate theoretical and/or practical issues
• 1.6. Select and collect relevant data, assess their limitations, conduct appropriate statistical analysis,
• 1.7 Interpret the results of statistical/econometric analysis and explain the problems and limitations underlying these tools
   

2. Intellectual and methodological autonomy: when pursuing an economic analysis of diverse an complex issues , the ESL student will

• 2.1 be aware of the interactions between economic analysis and those stemming from other human and social sciences; and be able to adopt a critical stance vis-à-vis economics in general
• 2.2 be capable to distinguish the positive and normative moments of economic reasoning
• 2.3 be able to propose an original way, grounded in economic reasoning, of solving real-life economic problems
• 2.4 demonstrate an ability to use the tools of economics in innovative ways.
   

3. Depth knowledge in at least three areas of the economy

• 3.1. Over his student years at ELS student will deepen his/her knowledge in at least three areas of economics: macroeconomics, finance, development economics, international economics, labour economics, social economics, industrial economics, public economics ....
• 3.2 Students following the research track at ESL will have acquired research skills preparing them to attend top PhD programmes in Economics
• 3.3 Students following the didactic/pedagogical track at ESL, will have acquired the skills equipping them to become teachers

 

4. Communication and relational skills. The student will be able to

• 4.1 communicate effectively in written form,
• 4.2 communicate effectively in oral form,
• 4.3 express his view in a technical language,
• 4.4 express his view in everyday language,
• 4.5 develop collaborative skills and work in a team.

5. Act in a professional and international environment. The student will be able to

• 5.1 adapt and act in a demanding and changing professional world,
• 5.2 work in a multicultural and international environment, where English is the lingua franca,
• 5.3 mobilize its expertise as an economist to advise, manage and run companies, associations and government agencies,
• 5. 4. perform various tasks and have a real ability to influence the evolution of its environment.