Master of Arts in Economics (MEcon) or Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F)
Why study economics at the University of St. Gallen? Do you want to study the great challenges to create and sustain welfare in a modern society? When studying economics, students will be confronted with the major policy problems of a modern society, ranging from growth and inequality, unemployment, inflation, globalization and free trade, ageing and reform of the welfare state, the role of financial markets in steering capital to the most profitable businesses, and many more. professors provides benefits in defining research topics or thesis work. The excellent network of the university and its administration offers students support with international exchange programs, job placements, recommendation letters etc. "Economic knowledge is a prerequisite for my communicative consulting services to decision makers in companies, associations and politics." The studies in economics at the HSG built the foundation." Do you want to set the stage for a business career? Students need a sound training in the tools of managerial economics to sharpen strategic thinking in a competitive business environment and to understand how management incentives and corporate governance are essential in creating shareholder value. Do you want to be sure that your training at university reflects the latest insights from cutting edge scientific research? A research oriented university will provide modern teaching and research results. The Economics department of the University of St. Gallen has established a great reputation for excellent research, high quality teaching, and active scientific policy advice to major national and international institutions. Studying economics in St. Gallen offers unique career advantages. Apart from access to jobs with salaries that are on average substantially higher for graduates of St. Gallen, the choice of where to study economics should be guided by some other important considerations as well. High quality teaching standards at the University of St.Gallen Dr. oec. HSG Urs Rellstab Ass. Director, Head Communications economiesuisse and designated CEO Burson-Marsteller Switzerland Economics for a career in management and finance The University of St. Gallen is a leading business school in Europe and is known for its great reputation in the business community. Studying economics in St. Gallen offers unique opportunities for a successful business career. Strategic thinking is key for top management positions. Microeconomic theories improve this process. There is a close link between human resources management and microeconomic incentive theory. The design of corporate governance in realigning managersʹ and investorsʹ interests is part of the core curriculum of modern managerial economics. In studying economics, students may choose a specialization with extensive training in asset pricing, banking and financial markets to prepare for a career in the financial industry. A large number of graduates of the Master of Arts HSG in Economics start their career in the private sector. They successfully compete for top positions in management, consulting, investment banking etc. Student evaluations award the University of St. Gallen regularly high rankings for excellent teaching. The Master in Economics (MEcon) and the Master in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQEF), are both offered by the Economics department. These programs have small classes with an outstanding student teacher ratio. Students stay in close contact with their professors and have easy access in getting support even on short notice. The close relationship between students and Economics for a career in public policy Economics can help a modern society to better cope with the great challenges of our times, ranging from recession, to globalization, ageing, unemployment, income inequality, long run growth, environmental sustainability, tax reform, and many others. To understand the fundamental economic trade offs that legislation is confronted with, insights into the policy process is key. The 2 Master of Arts HSG in Economics (MEcon) / Master of Arts HSG in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F)
University of St.Gallen has an excellent reputation among policy makers. The policy challenges are precisely defined in active policy advice. Core faculty members of the Economics department at the University of St. Gallen enjoy a high international reputation for scientific advice, and have been influential in the Swiss and international policy debate. This is an excellent preparation for a career in the public sector or government. Economics for a scientific career The requirements for professional opportunities in science, but also in international organizations, government institutions and affiliated research institutes (KOF, National Bank, ifo, DIW etc.) and the private sector are challenging. Successful candidates need to be equipped with the modern tools of rigorous economic and managerial analysis. Studying at a research oriented university ensures that graduates meet these requirements. Keeping options open and getting prepared for a career in the private or public sector The University of St. Gallen has fully redesigned its teaching program in line with the new European Bologna model. The economics courses in the first assessment year provide a road map for further studies. The subsequent Bachelor program in economics offers deeper specialization and trains the basic tools required for Master education. Students can opt for the Master of Economics (MEcon) with an emphasis on modern economic theory, applied empirical research and a wide variety of possible specializations in economic policy and managerial economics. The Master in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQEF) is an English speaking program with extensive training in econometric and quantitative methods and a strong specialization in finance. Both programs prepare for a career in public institutions, international organizations, private industry, or for further doctoral studies. The quantitative orientation of the training in finance and econometrics, mathematics and statistics within the Master programs in Economics is a unique feature that cannot be found in other Master programs of the University of St. Gallen. The Economics department in St. Gallen ranks among the top research Universities within the German speaking countries as well as in an international comparison. Core faculty members are well integrated in international research networks such as CEPR, CESifo, IZA and various others. This ensures teaching of the latest cutting edge research in the most important areas of modern economics and management science. The most successful researchers in the Economics department are teaching in the two masters programs and are responsible for the new PhD program in Economics and Finance (PEF). It offers a high quality, policy oriented doctoral education which will be ideally suited for career paths in public administration, international organizations and private industry. The departmentʹs teaching programs are consistently designed from the very first year of assessment study up to the scientifically oriented PhD program to meet the highest international standards. Students can choose among all relevant options for alternative career goals, depending on abilities and interests. Studying economics keeps career options open. Studying economics in St. Gallen offers excellent opportunities for a career in management and consulting in the business sector or in the financial industry as well as the public sector. Graduates will also be well equipped to target a scientific career. 3 Master of Arts HSG in Economics (MEcon) / Master of Arts HSG in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F)
Overview Master of Arts HSG in Economics (MEcon) The MEcon combines excellence in research with committed and creative teaching, which leads to a unique program in the field of economics. The program is designed for students interested in a broad economic education. It introduces students to the current state of research, focuses on current issues of economic and social policy and develops studentsʹ application and transfer skills. MEcon students get in depth training in the core areas of economics, including micro and macroeconomic theory as well as applied fields such as public economics, labor economics, international trade, industrial and managerial economics, and finance, banking and insurance. Training in empirical and statistical methods is application oriented. Students are clearly focused on the key economic policy issues of our times such as globalization, growth, ageing and welfare state reform, distributional policies, or the relevance of financial markets for economic performance. The program prepares students for a successful career path in international organizations, the public sector, management and finance and in scientific research. Curriculum MEcon The MEcon program is designed to be completed in three semesters of full time study. It can be started either in the spring or fall semester. Students must earn a minimum of 90 ECTS credits. The curriculum consists of 6 compulsory courses with 4 credits each (2 courses with 3 credits), a choice of Core Electives, a choice of Independent Electives and a variety of Contextual Study courses. Choose your MEcon courses and create your specialization Students enjoy great opportunities to tailor their own individual study profile. The different specialization areas include optional econometrics courses which are important to prepare for empirical applications and to become competitive in the job market. The five specialization areas can be flexibly combined. Students will choose their Core Electives and have the possibility to create their profile by specializing within a field of their interest: International economics Government and the economy Labor, population and health Corporate finance and financial markets Firms and markets The areas of specialization for the elective courses can be individually chosen from a large menu of courses (also from other programs). The detailed course list can be downloaded from the website. 4 Master of Arts HSG in Economics (MEcon) / Master of Arts HSG in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F)
Overview Master of Arts HSG in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F) The MiQE/F offers a high quality graduate education in economic theory, finance and quantitative methods. Students can choose to specialize either in Economics or Finance, or a combination of both. It is an international program and it is entirely taught in English. MiQEF is a specialized Master program which strongly emphasizes quantitative methods, i.e. mathematical, statistical and econometric tools and offers tracks in quantitative finance, empirical economics as well as corporate finance, banking and insurance. The program prepares students for a successful career path in the financial industry, international organizations, management, the public sector and in scientific research. Curriculum MiQE/F The MiQE/F program is designed to be completed in three semesters of full time study. It can be started either in the spring or fall semester, though it is recommended to start in the fall semester Students must earn a minimum of 90 ECTS credits. The curriculum consists of 6 compulsory courses with 4 credits each (2 courses with 3 credits), a choice of Core Electives, a choice of Independent Electives and a variety of Contextual Study courses. Dr. oec. HSG Ingo Borchert Economist at 'The World Bank' in Washington, DC, USA "The economics faculty at the University of St.Gallen embraces innovative teaching methods that bring theory to life. The program's emphasis on current problems in international economics was both a motivation and an excellent preparation for my doctoral studies in international trade. Upon graduating from St.Gallen, I was well equipped to address policy questions on trade and development as they arise in an international development institution." Choose your MiQE/F courses and create your specialization Students enjoy great opportunities to tailor their own individual study profile. The different specialization areas include optional courses in econometrics, finance and economics which are important to prepare for quantitative applications and to become competitive in the job market. The three specialization areas can be flexibly combined. Students will chose their Core Electives and have the possibility to create their profile by specializing within a field of their interest: Quantitative economics Quantitative finance Corporate finance, banking and insurance The program commission suggests the areas of specialization for the elective courses. They can be individually chosen from a large menu of courses (also from other programs, need to be in English). The detailed course list can be downloaded from the website. 5 Master of Arts HSG in Economics (MEcon) / Master of Arts HSG in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F)
Practice Credits To establish contacts for their future career start, students are encouraged to acquire practical experience. For this reason, practice credits are awarded for qualified internships. These are credited to curricular courses (ʹLeadership Skillsʹ and ʹ Independent Electivesʹ). A maximum of six practice credits can be accepted (corresponds with an internship of around three monthsʹ duration). International Exchange The Masterʹs program committee recommends its students to study one semester abroad. The University of St.Gallen has an excellent network of partner universities for student exchange. Please contact us for any further information. Executive Director Martina Flockerzi University of St.Gallen Varnbüelstrasse 19 CH 9000 St.Gallen Phone: +41 (0)71 224 2325 Fax: +41 (0)71 224 3135 E Mail: mecon@unisg.ch Program Commission Christian Keuschnigg, Prof. Dr. Program Manager E Mail: christian.keuschnigg@unisg.ch Admission B.A. or B.Sc. in Economics or similar Major: Enrolment with a Bachelor's degree in a different major (e.g. Law) is not possible. In this case, students may be admitted to the Bachelor's level only. Application deadlines (External applicants): For a start in fall 2010: April 30, 2010 For a start in spring 2011: November 30, 2010 Additional admission requirements for MEcon: German proficiency: Applicants, whose native tongue is not German or who have not passed their secondary school leaving examinations in the German language must provide a language certificate C1 or C2 (CEF). More detailed information under: www.goethe.de. Additional admission requirements for MiQE/F: English proficiency: Levels of C2 (CEF) by examination in English at Proficiency Level II at the University of St.Gallen or examinations by TOEFL (paper-based: 600; computer-based: 250; internet-based: 100) and IELTS (minimum score: 7.5 academic version). Prof. Francesco Audrino, PhD E Mail: francesco.audrino@unisg.ch Prof. Dr. Uwe Sunde E Mail: uwe.sunde@unisg.ch More information on our study programs and career profiles of successful graduates: Economics Department: www.vwa.unisg.ch Master in Economics: www.mecon.unisg.ch Master in Quantitative Economics & Finance: www.miqef.unisg.ch PhD in Economics and Finance: www.pef.unisg.ch GRE general test: Minimum score is 740 in the quantitative section; the test result must not be older than five years. 6 Master of Arts HSG in Economics (MEcon) / Master of Arts HSG in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MiQE/F)