The specialization in Applied Economic Analysis puts emphasis on acquiring theoretical and empirical problem-solving skills that can be applied in a wide variety of settings. It provides a general analytical approach: a way of thinking rather than detailed knowledge about narrowly-defined issues.
This approach will serve you well throughout your career. Economics works on many levels, ranging from the micro to the macro to the international.
Micro level
At the micro level, it deals with the problems facing individual producers, consumers and factor owners, and the implications of their decisions for the economy as a whole.
Macro level
At the macro level, the focus is on the behavior of economic aggregates like the rates of inflation and unemployment, and on how public policy choices affect aggregate economic outcomes.
International level
At the international level, the focus of attention is on the implications of interactions between countries such as international trade and factor movements, as well as the reasons why some countries experience more favorable development trajectories than other countries.
Deep understanding of economics
The objective of the Master in Economics is to give students a deep understanding of economics. The Master in Economics combines a rigorous theoretical approach with extensive real-world applications. You will learn how to use economic theory and quantitative methods in solving complex problems in many areas of economics. This will be accomplished through a structured learning environment where a solid theoretical understanding will be acquired during the first part of the program, and where a practically oriented problem-solving ability will be the focus of the second part of the program.
Leading economics department
The Department of Economics is one of the leading economics departments in Europe with around 15 full-time faculty and around 35 PhD students. Important research areas at the department include behavioral economics, development economics, economic geography, economic growth, economic policy, game theory, industrial organization, international trade, health economics, macroeconomics and microeconomic theory. Faculty publish regularly in top economic journals and teach courses in their areas of expertise. According to the Financial Times ranking of Master programs (10-5-2009), the SSE is 3rd in Europe when it comes to economics.
Economics graduates are frequently found in the upper ranks of all these organizations/fields.