Economics: Data Science and Policy Master's study programme

Aside from academic success, your time at Halle University can and should be very enriching personally. Staff and student tutors, the Orientation Week and events organized by the International Office will help you settle in quickly and you will make friends that just might accompany you throughout your studies and potentially for the rest of your life.

The city of Halle is the largest and most densely populated city in the Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt. Architectural monuments, an opera house, the Händel auditorium and multiple theaters and stages, make Halle an important historic and cultural destination. The banks of the Saale river as well as numerous parks and pubs invite students to pursue recreational activities and to hang out with friends. With its university and two colleges, renowned research institutions for economics and biosciences as well as a booming logistics industry, Halle is also one of the thriving cities in the region.

Halle University does not charge tuition fees but only a small social contribution, i.e. a semester fee, which includes public transport. Students should anticipate total monthly expenses of approximately 750 Euros including rent, food, transportation and health insurance. Students typically live in either dormitories, shared accommodation or single appartments that range from 150-300 Euros. There are only limited financial support schemes available for international undergraduate students but you may work a limited number of days to support your studies. Our International Office will be happy to assist you in these matters.

The programme prepares for employment in the private sector or public administration or for a research-oriented career at a research institute or university. Graduates are qualified to successfully work in various professional areas where an understanding of economic issues is essential. Our graduates have entered the following fields:

• Research institutes / Think Tanks
• International organisations
• Business
• Ministries
• Parties / Associations / Unions
• Media / Journalism

The study programme is accredited. Detailed information available at www.akkreditierungsrat.de.

The programme is structured as follows:

1. Compulsory modules (15 CP)
2. Master's thesis (25 CP)
3. Economic Data Science (35 CP)
4. Economic Policy (35 CP)
5. Electives (10 CP)

Compulsory modules in advanced microeconomics, advanced macroeconomics and advanced monetary economics bring all students up-to-date in these core subjects. The economic data science and economic policy building blocks both contain 3 compulsory classes, 1 seminar and 3 additional classes you are free to choose. That way every student is exposed to key concepts of the respective fields and acquires the skills required to both work with empirical data and to apply the results in the context of evidence-based policy advice. Two electives allow you to choose additional data science/policy classes or to select from a wider range of content. A master's thesis concludes your studies.

The content, learning objectives, workload, requirements and prerequisites of specific modules are published in the module catalogue and in the study and examination regulations (non-official reading version in English), respectively.   

An internship in business and administration is recommended but not compulsory.

We recommend for you to study one semester at a foreign university but an exchange semester is not compulsory. The Faculty of Law and Economics of Halle University maintains partnerships with several universities abroad, which include student exchanges. However, students can also organize and arrange stays abroad on their own initiative. Students are advised by the Faculty of Law and Economics on their planned studies abroad and are supported during the exchange.

Applicants for the MSc Economics: Data Science and Policy must

• hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a business- or economics-related programme (at least 60 ECTS in economics-related modules) with a minimum grade of 2.5 or better according to the German academic grading scale, and

• provide proof of their proficiency in English at B2 level.

Exclusively, the following proofs are accepted:

1. Cambridge: minimum FCE with grade C;
2. Placement test B2 at Halle University: passed, if offered*;
3. Native speaker of English: A native speaker is defined as someone who has obtained the university entrance qualification or bachelor's degree or an equivalent educational qualification in one of the following countries and has completed at least the last 2 years of the school or university education there: Australia, Ireland, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, USA;
4. IELTS: minimum total band score of 6.0;
5. TOEFL ibT: minimum score of 72;
6. UNIcert II
    

*If you wish to participate in the placement test at Halle University, you need to be able to travel to Halle for this purpose: We do not issue invitation letters for visas to take the test. Please also read our FAQ to learn about the advantage of submitting an internationally recognised test score.

The above-mentioned accepted proofs of English language proficiency are all recognised as valid for an unlimited period of time.

A sound knowledge of mathematics, statistics and experience in using information and communication technologies is strongly recommended.

This chapter consists of excerpts roughly translated into English. Only the study and examination regulations are legally binding.

The admission to the MSc Economics: Data Science and Policy is currently restricted (Uni-NC).

• Applicants with a German bachelor's degree (or equivalent) please apply via www.uni-halle.de/bewerben by 15 July.

• Applicants with a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from abroad please apply via www.uni-assist.de by 15 June. > Information and Application procedure 

Required documents

The following documents must be submitted with the application for admission:

1. A hard copy of your bachelor's degree or equivalent (i.e., graduation certificate and transcripts). Important note: Applicants via uni-assist upload their certificates and transcripts (both in original language and official translations, unless the originals are in English or in German) with their online application. For those applicants it is not necessary to hand in any additional hard documents.

2. Halle University does accept provisional graduation certificates, if your degree is scheduled after the application deadline. Please submit your transcripts indicating minimum 2/3 of your total credits to be passed / your senior student stage, accordingly. The final graduation certificate shall be submitted with enrolment, respectively by no later than 31 January in the year following admission.

3. Subject relevant respectively basic knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics /statistics, economic policy to be proven by modules completed in the Transcript of Records or as demonstrated by suitable evidence and/or degree thesis on an economic topic

4. Recognised proof of the proficiency in English language as outlined in the selection regulations (see also admission requirements)

5. Proof of any relevant practical experience as outlined in the selection regulations

For more detailed information, please refer to the selection regulations.

This chapter consists of excerpts roughly translated into English. Only the study and examination regulations are legally binding.

Information for international applicants

For any questions regarding application and admission - except eligibility - please see website or contact the International Students Section (Student Registration Office) via international.students@uni-halle.de.