Erasmus School of Economics - Erasmus University Rotterdam
Research Master in Economics
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jun 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 2,601 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* * For EEA. (Non-EEA 1 February 2026)
** Statutory fee: Dutch / EEA students; institutional fee: Dutch / EEA students: € 19.950; non-EEA students: € 19.950
Key Summary
Research Master in Economics
The Program offers research training equivalent to training in the first two years of PhD Programs at top US economics faculties. This implies a first year of rigorous and common training in core subjects of economics, econometrics, and finance at a high level that can only be managed by a selected group of students. In the second year, students specialise in their choice from among the institute’s many fields of research through field coursework and research master thesis research.
The research master is a small-scale, intensive Program for students who want to pursue a PhD in Economics, Econometrics or Finance at one of the schools in business and economics of Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the school website for more information.
The first year of the research master offers rigorous training in the core of economics, econometrics, and finance. In the second year, students specialize in their choice from the institute's many fields of research through field coursework and thesis research.
Mode of education
At the start of the academic year, students choose the economics, econometrics, or finance track. All tracks include 13 core courses, 2 field courses, and a programming course. During the year, the research departments of the schools present themselves to the students in a seminar series. The seminar series allows the students to explore potential supervisors and fields of specialization and allows potential supervisors to scout out talented students.
In the second year, students have to complete 27 ECTS of specialized coursework, 3 ECTS of research internships, professional skills and personal growth courses, and write a Master thesis (30 ECTS).
Credits: 120 ECTS
Master of Science
The program is a two-year research master (120 EC) aiming to train future Ph.D. students who will start their doctorate at one of the Schools in business and economics of the three partner universities. The program helps students to jumpstart their Ph.D. trajectory not only through solid training but also with direct experience in research. Students who successfully complete the pogrramme are assisted in finding Ph.D. positions at one of the three partner universities.