Students enrolled on the Master [120] in Economics: General programme (jointly at UCL and UNamur) are working towards careers as economists, both locally and internationally, capable of (1) robustly and critically analysing economic issues and (2) applying their economic expertise in their socio-professional environment.
On completion of the Master’s, the graduates will:
- have mastered the fundamentals of economics;
- have acquired a global perspective of an economic situation: “Helicopter view and Strategic Thinking”;
- have developed “problem solver” skills to understand and analyse real-life contemporary social and economic issues;
- be able to accurately summarise the key elements required to understand these issues, in particular the importance of interdependencies, prices and market structures, incentives and governance in the functioning of economies and their components (financial markets, enterprises, territories, consumers, savers, workers, public authorities, etc.);
- with regard to these issues, be able to develop a clear and robust analytical line of reasoning, assess several arguments leading to diverse conclusions, identify the role of economic theories and assumptions in these arguments and assess empirically a number of these assumptions;
- have acquired and developed knowledge and specific skills in at least two areas of economics (through their choice of option), enabling them to tackle an economic issue using a multidisciplinary approach;
- be able to explain and communicate their economic analyses to a variety of audiences, both verbally and in writing;
- be able to use their knowledge, skills and a robust scientific approach to analyse the real-life complex socio-economic problems/issues of the 21st century and the challenges arising from them.
Through their choice of option, graduates undergo training geared towards the following professional careers:
- high-level researcher in the field of economics (Research focus), capable of joining the best economics graduate schools in Europe and worldwide;
- analyst, advisor or manager for businesses, associations or organisations in the public or private sectors (Professional focus), capable of participating in decision-making at local and international level with practical professional experience (work placement);
- teacher or trainer in economics and social sciences (Teaching focus), capable of introducing young people to and interesting them in economic reasoning.
In addition, through their choice of specialist options and classes, graduates will have honed their skills in two to four areas of economics (Finance, Development, Corporate Strategies, International Economics, Public Intervention, Non-Profit Economics, Economics and Society, Macroeconomics, Labour Economics and Human Resource Management) related to the sector(s) in which they plan to pursue a career (for example: banks, (inter)national public institutions, industries, consultancies, research, etc.).
Aware of the responsibility associated with their profession, the graduates will have adopted a critical academic attitude and be able to make and accept decisions completely independently. The graduates will have a variety of skills, particularly in terms of methodology, and will be able to question, improve and develop the contents, processes and purposes of professional practices and critically examine the innovations resulting from research and likely to shed light on professional practices.
They will be invested in a continuous development approach enabling them, as professionals, to demonstrate expertise, multiple skills and the ability to adapt and evolve positively in their socio-professional environment.
On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :
1. Develop an economic line of reasoning.
Develop an economic line of reasoning: develop an accurate economic analysis of real-life and often complex problems/issues, implementing a robust scientific approach and using the necessary analytical skills.
1.1. Identify the pertinent issue(s) and summarise the key elements required to understand them.
1.2. Identify and justify what makes a model useful and which context to use it in, particularly by identifying the role of assumptions.
1.3. With regard to real-life issues and their unique features, identify and justify the relevant analytical methods.
1.4. Develop a clear and robust analytical line of thinking.
1.5. Identify and justify the relevant empirical methods to assess and examine theoretical and/or practical issues.
1.6. Collect and select the relevant data, understanding the limits and conducting an appropriate statistical analysis.
1.7. Interpret the results of the statistical analysis, explain the underlying statistical problems and limits and form pertinent conclusions concerning the issues studied.
1.8. Master and use, in a critical manner, tools from a number of branches of economics and question their underlying assumptions and standards.
2. “Problem solver”
Consider, analyse and resolve a real-life and complex socio-economic problem in a pertinent, critical and innovative manner using an approach based on economic reasoning and in interaction with other human sciences disciplines, displaying intellectual and methodological independence.
2.1. Identify and take into consideration the interactions between economic analyses and analyses in other human and social sciences and critically analyse them.
2.2. Develop a critical and unique perspective, distinguishing the positive and normative aspects of economics.
2.3. Suggest an original way of considering and resolving an economic and social problem based on economic reasoning.
2.4. Demonstrate the ability to use economic tools in an innovative manner.
2.5. Examine, analyse and resolve a real-life complex socio-economic problem from a global perspective: “Helicopter view and Strategic Thinking”.
2.6. Develop a critical understanding of 21st-century economic issues and make a positive contribution to the development of all aspects of society.
3. Use specialist knowledge in at least two economic areas
Master and use, in a critical manner, a body of specialist knowledge and skills in at least two economic areas in order to be able to operate with expertise in these areas (according to the specialist option chosen).
- 3.1. L'étudiant approfondira ses connaissances dans au moins trois domaines de l'économie: macroéconomie, finance, économie du développement, économie internationale, économie du travail, économie sociale, économie industrielle, économie publique....
- 3.2. En finalité approfondie, l'étudiant sera formé à devenir un chercheur universitaire.
- 3.3. En finalité didactique, l'étudiant sera formé à devenir enseignant.
4. Communication and interpersonal skills
Communicate in French and English in a professional manner, both verbally and in writing, while adapting to the target audience and context, as well as interacting and collaborating respectfully and constructively with the different players involved in a given situation.
4.1. Communicate in writing, in a clear and structured manner, in accordance with the communication standards specific to the context and adapting the communication (content and form) to the target audience and intended purpose.
4.2. Communicate verbally, in a clear and structured manner, in accordance with the communication standards specific to the context and adapting the communication (content and form) to the target audience and intended purpose.
4.3. Put their arguments across pertinently using technical language, according to the audience.
4.4. Put their arguments across pertinently in layman’s terms, according to the audience.
4.5. Integrate and work effectively within a team and with different stakeholders involved in a given situation (in learning and professional contexts (work placement), nationally or internationally).
4.6. Communicate articulately in English, verbally and in writing, in a clear, coherent and well-argued manner on general matters or issues relating to the field of economics, adapting to suit the audience and the context.
5. Operate in an international work environment
Operate in an international work environment, using a scientifically well-founded approach, as critical and responsible academics committed to continuous development.
5.1. Adjust to varied and complex contexts and situations and act on them appropriately in a demanding and fast-changing world.
5.2. Develop in an international and multicultural environment in which English is the lingua franca.
5.3. Apply their skills as economists and act and make commitments and decisions independently and responsibly as analysts, advisors or managers for a business, association or public organisation.
5. 4. Embark on a career, applying a well-founded academic approach (from a theoretical and methodological perspective) characterised by critical detachment and with a genuine ability to influence the development of their environment.
5.5. Invest in the self-assessment, learning and continuous development required to evolve positively in a professional environment.
FA. If they pursued the Research focus, students will be able to: develop and acquire the knowledge and skills required to undertake a PhD or progress towards professional careers in high-level research or consultancy.
FA.1. Master and critically apply specialist knowledge in microeconomics.
FA.2. Master and critically apply specialist knowledge and skills in macroeconomics.
FA.3. Master and critically apply specialist knowledge and skills in econometrics.
FA.4. Conduct a scientific enquiry culminating in the production of a research paper satisfying the criteria for a scientific article.
FS. If they pursued the Professional focus, students will be able to develop and acquire the skills of an economist capable of participating in decision-making in the private and public sectors at local and international level.
FS.1. Demonstrate knowledge and critical thinking in relation to current economic events.
FS.2. Incorporate broader contexts and the multidisciplinary dimension into their analyses and collaborate with specialists from other disciplines.
FS.3. Develop skills related to initial practical professional experience (work placement), including the use of knowledge acquired at university to act pertinently in a real-life situation.
FS.4. Build up their profile as cross-functional and multi-skilled experts in economic and social issues, able to grasp the complexities of several fields.
FD. If they pursued the Teaching focus, they will be able to: apply the skills required to embark on a career as an upper-secondary level social sciences and economics teacher and to develop in that position.
FD.1. Work in a school environment, in partnership with various actors.
FD.2. Teach in authentic and varied situations.
FD.3. Adopt an enquiring attitude and be committed to continuous development.
For more details, consult "Upper-secondary" teaching qualifications (economics: general).
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