Do you meet the requirements for admission?

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for the selection procedure to the MSc Economics at the University of Hamburg.

University degree

Depending on the profile of your first degree, applicants shall apply in one of the following three application categories, which have different requirements:

a) a degree in Economics or 'Volkswirtschaftslehre'
b) a degree in a related subject, with sufficient advanced training in Economics
c) a mathematically oriented bachelor’s degree program (e.g., mathematics, business mathematics or statistics)

A. Applicants who have completed a degree in Economics or 'Volkswirtschaftslehre' are considered to have sufficient economic background to apply to the program.

B. Applicants with advanced training in Economics (i.e., a degree with strong focus on Economics) must show sufficient training in advanced economic analysis.
The Transcript of Records must document the following courses:

two lectures* in general economics, i.e., basic micro- and macroeconomics,
three lectures* on advanced topics in economics, of which at least one must cover predominantly theoretical and one predominantly applied issues
three lectures* in mathematics, statistics and econometrics, of which at least one must be in mathematics and one must be in either statistics or econometrics

* Each course must be equivalent in content and size to a two-hour lecture per week at the University of Hamburg. If you have more courses than required, you have to choose which courses you want to have considered in the selection process. Clearly identify the required courses at the STiNE-online application form and on your degree certificate or provisional Transcript of Records.

Performance in the aforementioned mathematical courses may alternatively be substituted with a GRE revised General Test with at least 155 points on the quantitative section, or at least 700 points on a GRE Mathematics Subject Test.

C. Applicants with a mathematically oriented bachelor’s degree program (e.g., mathematics, business mathematics or statistics) must show sufficient training in advanced mathematics.
The Transcript of Records must document the following courses:

Courses* on linear algebra and analysis
Courses* on statistics or econometrics

* Each course must be equivalent in content and size to a two-hour lecture per weekat the University of Hamburg. Clearly identify the required courses at the STiNE-online application form and on your degree certificate or provisional Transcript of Records.

You can apply even if you have not yet received your degree certificate. Please then submit your Transcript of Records by the application deadline on 31. March of each year. If you are admitted to the program, you must submit your degree certificate by the end of the first semester of your Master's program.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Because the master’s program is conducted in English, all applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. Sufficient knowledge must be demonstrated as follows:

TOEFL internet-based test (test date scores): at least 92 points with at least 22 points per skill (Listening, Writing, Speaking, Reading)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic: Overall Band Score with at least 6.5 (Good Competent User) with at least 6.0 per skill
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
Cambridge Higher Business English Certificate (BEC)
University degree program entirely taught in English (proven by a written confirmation from the university)

Test results remain valid for two years (counting back from the beginning of the application period on 15 February).

For details of the legal basis for the admission requirements, please see the Bylaws Regarding the Special Conditions of Admission for Degree Programs in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences (only in German).