none (start of program: winter semester 2025/26)

For inclusion in a master's degree is the completion of studies at the Bachelor's level requirement.
The subject-specific entry requirements are set out in the current Aufnahme-/Zulassungsordnung (admission regulations).
It also includes the different deadlines for the provision of evidence.

If proof of German language skills is required: Information on German language skills.

The Master's program “The Economics of Global Challenges” does not focus on teaching detailed knowledge, but rather on the ability to develop complex solutions to problems that build on a broader economic foundation. The program aims to enable students to view and understand complex economic issues from different scientific perspectives and to derive economic policy implications. In addition to teaching in-depth research skills, the individual modules address the political Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formulated by the United Nations, which are intended to ensure sustainable development on an economic, social and ecological level worldwide.

Modules

The Master's program “The Economics of Global Challenges” consists of nine module areas, within which the political Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations are also dealt with:

• 1a. The Economics of Innovation I:
  This module deals with the theoretical-analytical foundations of innovation economics. In addition to established concepts, approaches from economic history, complexity research and technology management are applied in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the accelerating pace of economic change.
• 1b. The Economics of Innovation II:
  The empirical and policy aspects of innovation economics analysis are the focus of this module. Students learn about data-based mappings of creative processes in innovation systems and their specific form of governance.
• 2a. Economic Policy I:
  Economic policy implications of economic change and the actions of the public sector in complex economic structures as well as the current challenges to economic and innovation policy are addressed in this module.
• 2b. Economic Policy II:
  Fiscal issues in (federal) multi-level systems and aspects of international policy are the focus here. The focus is on their role in the financing and implementation of future public projects in response to social challenges. In addition, normative aspects of economic policy trade are discussed using the example of global environmental protection measures.
• 3 Advanced Economics:
  In this module, the tools available to students for the economic analysis of “Global Challenges” are expanded in the areas of advanced microeconomics and macroeconomics. The starting point is the skills acquired in the Bachelor's degree program.
• 4 Advanced Econometrics:
  This methods module teaches modern quantitative econometric skills. The focus is on the applicability of the methods. Students also learn how to interpret econometric results and classify their economic relevance.
• 5 The Economics of Growth and Development:
  The determinants and limits of economic growth, their formal modeling and the role of multinational companies in economic development are the subject of this module. Case studies of individual countries, sectors or regions are considered to illustrate these phenomena.
• 6 Understanding Human (Economic) Behavior:
  Behavioral extensions of the model of human behavior in economic contexts are included in this module, for example with regard to prosocial and cooperative dispositions of agents. Evolutionary-anthropological and socio-psychological findings on the nature of human cognition are drawn upon. In addition, the strategic interaction of agents is examined in game-theoretical analyses.
• 7 The Economics of Digitization:
  The economic implications of digitization and artificial intelligence as far-reaching outcomes of innovation-driven economic change are considered in this module. This also includes a business perspective on the digital transformation within organizations and their management.
• 8 Sustainability and the Economy of the Future:
  The establishment of ecologically sustainable economic processes and their macroeconomic modeling as well as the shared use of scarce common pool resources as central challenges of modern societies are the subject of this module.
• 9 Pluralist Economics:
  Pluralist currents within economic theory formation and problem definition and their application to societal global challenges are addressed in this final module, as are newer behavioral science elements in economics. This gives students an unusually broad conceptual approach to their discipline.

Modules 1 to 9 have the following links to the Sustainable Development Goals:

• Modules 1a and 1b address SDGs 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• Modules 2a and 2b address SDGs 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action).
• Module 5 addresses SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 1 (No Poverty).
• Module 7 addresses SDGs 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Module 8 addresses SDGs 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
• Module 9 addresses SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).

The coursework is completed with a research project. By conducting their own research projects, students deepen their academic skills and prepare for writing their Master's thesis. They also acquire the ability to analyze feedback, discuss it critically and present and defend their own ideas in front of the plenum.

At the end of the program, students write a Master's thesis. This proves that they are able to work independently on a research topic of their own choice.

A total of 120 CP is awarded in the Master's program, which are distributed evenly over the entire duration of the program at 30 CP per semester.
It is structured as follows:

1. year:
   In the first semester, students take modules 1a, 2a, 3 and 4.
   In the second semester, students take modules 1b, 2b, 5 and 6.
2. year:
   The third semester combines the development of in-depth specialist content with its application. Modules 7, 8 and 9 as well as the project module must be taken.
   The program concludes with the Master's thesis in the fourth semester. The thesis module takes up the entire workload of the final semester.

The Master's program does not include any designated areas of specialization. Students choose courses within the modules according to their own interests and thus develop an individual profile. All modules are compulsory elective modules and include options at course level.

Internships are not planned in the Master's program, but can be carried out at the students' own request and initiative during the lecture-free times. The faculty's Office for Practice and Transfer is available to answer any questions regarding internships. Students are also supported in their search for internships by the faculty's own career portal "7Careers" or by the central Career Center of the University of Bremen.

Although semesters abroad are not compulsory, they are recommended and the faculty supports and advises its students in their plans. The faculty cooperates with more than 80 partner universities in the ERASMUS region and worldwide (Africa, Asia, South and North America). There are also various scholarship opportunities, such as for the partner university with the University of the Freestate in Bloemfontein, South Africa (over 900 euros plus a travel allowance with a DAAD-ISAP scholarship). The faculty also offers tuition fee-free stays at US partner universities such as the State University of New York at Binghamton or Stony Brook.

A semester abroad is best integrated into the second year of study due to the lead times. In most cases, a semester abroad can be included in your study plans without delaying your studies. The Office for International Affairs of the faculty offers assistance in organizing a semester abroad.

The recognition of study achievements abroad is facilitated by the conclusion of Learning Agreements. Students need to discuss the courses they want to include in their learning agreements with the Office of International Affairs at the beginning of the planned semester abroad. (https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/wiwi/international-affairs/outgoing-bremen-students-abroad).

To apply for a study abroad position, check the necessary foreign language requirements. Within the framework of the Erasmus program, the B2 level of the respective language of instruction at the host university must be proven. This B2 level must be proven by means of language certificates.

Teaching regularly takes place in the form of seminars. In contrast to a lecture, seminars are geared more towards student participation.
In the project module, students apply the knowledge they have already acquired, e.g. in solving case studies and subject-specific problems.

• StudyPlan_TheEconomicsOfGlobalChallenges_2024 [pdf] (95.9 KB)

Various forms of examination are used (written examinations, presentations with written paper, seminar papers, oral examinations). At the beginning of the semester, students are informed in the individual courses which form of examination will be used in the respective semester.
All written and oral examinations take place at the end of the lecture period.

• of 23.06.2021: DigiPruefO-UB-06-21 [pdf] (68.6 KB)
• of 19.03.2024: AT-MPO-01-22_Lesefassung_berichtigt_automatVerz.pdf [pdf] (481.1 KB)

The Master's program “The Economics of Global Challenges” is based on research-based teaching and also teaches generalist professional skills, such as in-depth analytical skills, the application of modern modeling tools or the interpretation of scientific (e.g. econometric) findings in the light of practical challenges. These skills can be of social and individual benefit in a wide variety of positions and fields of activity: Examples include consulting firms, government agencies and authorities, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, large companies, think tanks and non-profit organizations. The demand for these skills on the job market remains high. In addition, this Master's degree lays the foundations for a further career in academia.

The degree qualifies for admission to a doctoral program.

Expertise

Homepage: https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/wiwi/research/research-at-the-faculty/

Our Topics

- Finance, Accounting & Taxation

- Innovation Economics

- Logistics

- Management and Entrepreneurship

- Marketing and

- Statistics and Econometrics.

The graduate group "Diginomics - Digitization, Economy and Society" investigates entrepreneurial, ethical and socio-political issues for emerging or newly forming digital markets, value chains and organizations. Content includes issues related to blockchain, digital finance, artificial intelligence, and the platform economy. Likewise, work is being done on the development of innovative methods such as self-learning algorithms.

Comprehensive information on the research areas, projects and fields of work can be found on the faculty's homepage at 
www.uni-bremen.de/en/wiwi/research/research-at-the-faculty.

22 professors in the subjects business studies and economics

four honorary professors, four researchers, two university lecturers and scientific staff

University of Oldenburg

Study Abroad: www.uni-bremen.de/en/wiwi/international-affairs/outgoing-bremen-students-abroad/partner-program-semester-abroad/partner-universities