M.SC. ECONOMICS - INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

Program Content

The major in International Finance is aimed at students who wish to focus on national and international financial and capital markets. In addition to a well-founded basic education, the following aspects are core elements:

  • Understanding of national and international capital markets,
  • Analysis of agents, institutions and incentive mechanisms in capital markets,
  • Monetary policy and its effects,
  • Financial crises and their consequences

Specialization modules

In addition to the general compulsory modules of the M.Sc. Economics programme, the following specialization modules are offered:

  • "Monetary Policy and the EMU" deals with monetary policy in general, monetary policy within a currency union, especially the EMU, and in particular financial crises
  • "International Macroeconomics" deals with macroeconomic issues in open economies, such as the choice of exchange rate regime and the implications for monetary and fiscal policy or the causes and consequences of currency crises
  • "Applied Financial Econometrics" provides the fundamentals of time-series econometrics. Using statistical software, numerous examples are used to describe and forecast macroeconomic and financial market data
  • Finance modules from the Master's program in Business Administration
  • Specialization Modules M.Sc. Economics

Registration of additional modules

As listed in the appendix of the examination regulations (Link), it is generally possible to choose modules with a maximum scope of 20 CP as "additional modules". This means that successfully completed modules are listed on the transcript after graduation, but the grades are not included in the calculation of the overall final grade. The examination office must be informed via e-mail about the participation in an examination as part of such an additional module prior to examination registration via Porta. As soon as the examination office confirms the assignment of the examination as an additional module, participation in this context is possible. Note: Once an examination has been taken in another module, it cannot be subsequently converted into an additional module.

Professional Outlook

The major in International Finance naturally opens up a wide range of employment opportunities in the financial sector, for example in banks and other financial institutions. In many cases, internships in the nearby financial centre of Luxembourg open the door to future employment while you are still studying.

For economists with a specialization in finance there are also great job opportunities at a large number of national and international public institutions, such as the Bundesbank, ECB or the European Commission, management consultancies and national or international companies with a focus on finance.

In addition, there is an increasing demand for qualified economists from private institutions, political parties, foundations and associations as well as from banks, commercial and industrial companies with an international orientation, regardless of the individual specialization.

The master's degree also provides an excellent foundation for subsequent doctoral studies and an academic career at a university or research institution such as the ZEW or the DIW as well as graduate schools.