The Economics of Global Challenges
Five good reasons for studying "The Economics of Global Challenges"
1. Tackle the World’s Biggest Issues:
Address key global issues from an economic perspective
2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Focus:
Gain skills that contribute directly to achieving the United Nations’ global sustainability goals
3. Multidisciplinary Approach:
Combine knowledge from various fields to tackle complex economic problems
4. Research and Career Opportunities:
Prepare for careers in business, research or international organizations
5. International Scope
Acquire the skills for global career paths
The Economics of Global Challenges
As a consecutive study program, the Master's program The Economics of Global Challenges builds on a completed Bachelor's degree in economics or a related field. Upon completion of the Master's degree, students can enter the profession directly or deepen the economic knowledge acquired up to the Master's degree as part of a doctoral program. The language of instruction is English. Individual elective courses can be offered in German.
What the Program Provides
The Master's degree program The Economics of Global Challenges, which is closely oriented towards current economic research, enables students to look at the most challenging economic problems and crises of global societies from different perspectives and to penetrate them analytically. To this end, a wide range of academic skills are acquired. These include various quantitative econometric methods, advanced micro- and macroeconomic instruments as well as economic policy, economic history, behavioral science and innovation economics concepts. This extensive range of skills is taught in the course of dealing with specific areas of application - the “global challenges”. These global challenges were described by the United Nations in its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the goals for socially, ecologically and economically sustainable development and a just future. In order to gain a deeper understanding of these challenges, insights from other disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, sociology and evolutionary biology are also drawn upon. This analytical approach develops interdisciplinary skills on the part of the students.
What’s on the Curriculum
The Master's program "The Economics of Global Challenges" has a standard period of study of four semesters and leads to the degree “Master of Science” (M.Sc.). As a consecutive study program, it builds on a completed Bachelor's degree in economics. The Master's degree program aims to enable students to view and understand complex economic issues from various 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. All modules are offered in English, individual courses can be held in German in modules with course-level options, as long as an English-language course is also available.
Course of Study
The Master's program consists of nine modules in the area of coursework, which are generally designed as seminars. There is no major in the degree program. The compulsory elective modules 5 and 6 can be regarded as a small area of specialization.
Students are supported in developing their methodological academic skills throughout their studies. The content of the modules is based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and aligns economic expertise with the real problems of the future. In the project in the third semester, students apply what they have learned to practice-oriented problems and practice methodical work on scientific issues before writing their Master's thesis in the fourth semester.
1a. The Economics of Innovation I
This module deals with the theoretical and 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.
2b. Economic Policy II
The focus here is on financial issues in (federal) multi-level systems and aspects of international politics. 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.
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 on 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 results 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.
9. Pluralist Economics
Pluralistic currents within economic theory formation and problem definition as well as their application to social global challenges are discussed in this last module, as are more recent behavioral science elements in economics. This gives students an unusually broad conceptual approach to their discipline.
Research Project
In this practice-oriented project, students apply literature research, methodological skills and theoretical concepts from the Master's program.They deepen their knowledge and skills on the basis of real issues and become familiar with different fields of work and economic research. In this way, they prepare themselves for their Master's thesis in scientific work and combine a scientific and practice-oriented approach to solving complex problems.
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).
Application and Admission
Entry Requirements
For admission to a Master's degree program, a Bachelor’s degree is required. The subject-specific admission requirements are regulated in the current Admission Regulations. This also includes the different deadlines for providing proof.
The admission requirements include:
- a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 180 ECTS from an economics (or similar) degree program
- a minimum grade point average of 2.7
- language skills English at a C1 level
- knowledge of statistics/econometrics amounting to at least 9 ECTS
- proof of economic knowledge amounting to at least 12 ECTS
Approval
Admission is limited, admission according to approval / admission regulations.
Deadline for application / enrollment beginner
- 31.05. for the winter semester
Deadline for application / enrollment advanced
- 31.05. for the winter semester
- 15.1. for the summer semester
Application Portal
Detailed information on the application process can be found in the Master-Portal of the University of Bremen.
Examinations
Examination Period
The written examinations take place in the first three weeks after the end of the lecture period. The examination dates of the other examination forms are not limited to this period.
The retake examinations of the previous semester take place in the 1st week after the lecture period. The examinations of the current semester take place in the 2nd and 3rd week.
You can find an overview of the examination periods in the examination annual overview.
Examination Registration
Students of the master's program Business Studies register for their examinations via the Central Examination Office (PrüfungsAmt Bremen Online, PABO) (www.uni-bremen.de/pabo). The rooms and the results for written examinations can also be found on PABO.
The regular registration periods for examinations are:
- winter semester: 10 December till 10 January (cancellation of enrollment 10 December till 31 January).
- summer semester: 10 June till 30 June (cancellation of enrollment 10 June till 30 June).
Students must re-register for the retake examinations via PABO. There is no automatic registration.
If you have problems registering via PABO, please contact your examination office directly.
Examination Schedules
Examination Annual Review
Examination Schedules
in the winter term 2024/25,
1st date (as of: 30. November 2024)
Study Platform Stud.IP
The University of Bremen uses the learning and course management system Stud.IP (study-related internet support for classroom teaching). Registration is done with the user name and password of the account assigned by the Center for Networks (ZfN) for e-mail and other network services. Students receive an activation ID and an activation password with their enrollment documents. They should register for their courses via Stud.IP at the beginning of the semester. Course materials and announcements from lecturers are stored there. Students can also use it to manage their timetable, use discussion forums, access the notice board and much more.
Semester Abroad
Studying abroad is not compulsory on the Master's program "The Economics of Global Challenges". However, the final year of the programme is structured in a way that allows for an optional semester abroad. The recognition of academic achievements abroad can be facilitated in advance by concluding Learning Agreements. The courses and achievements are determined in consultation with the International Office before the start of the planned semester abroad. Further information can be found on the faculty's homepage at International Affairs - Outgoings.
Internship
Internships are not part of the Master's degree program, but can be carried out at the student's own request and initiative during the lecture-free period. The Office for Practice and Transfer of the Faculty of Business Studies and Economics is available to answer any questions regarding internships.
Perspectives
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 program lays the foundations for a further career in academia.
The Master's degree qualifies students for admission to a doctoral program.