ESCP Business School

MSc in Economics & Policy for Business

The MSc in Economics and Policy for Business will gain hands-on experience through consulting projects, internships, and a professional thesis, while benefiting from ESCP’s European network and global outlook.

Upon completing the MSc in Economics and Policy for Business, graduates are equipped to pursue diverse international careers at the crossroads of business, economics, and public policy.

Opportunities exist within multinational corporations, consulting firms, international organisations, regulatory bodies, and policy-focused institutions, as well as within innovative start-ups and think tanks across Europe and worldwide.

Typical roles include:

• Economic or Policy Analyst
• Strategy or Management Consultant
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist
• Government or Public Affairs Manager
• Business or Market Analyst
• Corporate Strategy Associate
• Sustainability and ESG Consultant
• Trade and Investment Analyst
• Public Policy Advisor
• Risk and Geopolitical Analyst
• Research Associate (Think Tank or NGO)
• International Development Consultant
• Economist (Public or Private Sector)
• Innovation or Project Manager 

Graduates of this programme build the analytical insight and strategic mindset required to shape policy, influence regulation, and guide evidence-based decision-making in complex international environments.

The 15-months of in-class study combine advanced courses in economics and policy with practical training in consulting and business. Delivered across London and Paris, the curriculum is designed to provide both theoretical depth and applied experience, preparing students for careers in international, regulated, and policy-driven environments.

Knowledge of Economic & Regulatory Ecosystems

Gain a systematic understanding of organisations, economic systems, and regulatory environments to generate original insights into complex relationships between business and the state.

Cognitive & Analytical skills

The programme cultivates the ability to think critically and analytically about contemporary economic, political, and regulatory challenges through the business prism.

Research & Enquiry skills

Train in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, enabling you to design and carry out independent, evidence-based investigations.

Practical & Professional Skills

From real-world consulting frameworks to applied economic analysis, practical learning is embedded across the curriculum, culminating in a professional work experience term lasting at least four months.

The programme begins in October* and is organised as follows:

Core Courses - Term 1

Jul-Sept: Online | For candidates with less than 240 ECTS previous degree (or equivalent)

• Economics
• Quantitative Methods
• Accounting & Finance
• Marketing
• Leadership
• Strategy

*These six modules are compulsory only for candidates with less than 240 ECTS (or equivalent), as well as students without prior economics studies. They run in an online format between July and September before the London terms. Candidates may obtain exemption from attending these modules based on their previous work experience if they have more than three years of post-study work experience.

SPECIALISATION COURSES – TERMS 2, 3 & 4

Oct-Jun (Oct-Feb: London Campus | Mar-Jun: Paris Campus)

Term 2 & 3 - LONDON, October - February

• Sustainability Management
• International Trade: Geopolitics meets Regulation
• Consulting: Tools, Frameworks and Practice (I)
• Public Relations and Stakeholder Management
• Industrial Economics and Competition Policy
• Economics of Sustainable Finance
• Digital and AI Policy and Regulation
• International Macroeconomics
• Business Law and Governance

Term 4 - PARIS, March - Jun

• Applied Monetary Policy
• World Political Systems and Philosophies
• Data-based Economics
• Applied Fiscal Policy
• Geopolitics and Country Risk Analysis
• Environmental and Development Economics
• Consulting: Tools, Frameworks, and Practice (II)

COMPANY CONSULTANCY PROJECT – TERM 4, PARIS CAMPUS

Apr-Jun: 8- to 12-week experiential learning project with a company

During Term 4, students undertake an 8- to 12-week experiential consultancy project with a company or institution, applying the analytical and strategic skills developed throughout the programme to a real-world business or policy challenge.

Working in multicultural teams of four to five, students conduct in-depth research and analysis, formulate actionable recommendations, and present solutions that can be realistically implemented by the client organisation.

For MSc in Economics & Policy for Business participants, these projects often focus on industries at the intersection of markets, policy, and regulation, including finance, sustainability, and technology. The experience offers an exceptional opportunity to engage with the business–government interface, gaining practical insights into how policy decisions shape corporate strategy and market outcomes.

Each team is supervised by an ESCP faculty member, who provides academic guidance and ensures that projects meet the School’s rigorous standards.

Through the Company Consultancy Project, students learn how to work efficiently as a team and enhance their skills in:

• Critical Thinking
• Responding creatively to emerging challenges
• Project planning and management
• Data collection and analysis
• Development of hypotheses and recommendations
• Customer service
• Public speaking and presentations
• Client Interaction

These are essential competencies for future leaders in international organisations, regulatory bodies, and global firms.

PROFESSIONAL MASTER THESIS & RESEARCH SEMINAR – TERM 5

Jul-Dec: Writing and defending a Professional Thesis

Students are required to complete a Professional Master thesis, which, in some cases, may be completed in partnership with a sponsor organisation.

The thesis is an individual applied research project for the Master degree and must be approximately 12,000 words. It is a theory/praxis-driven investigation into a relevant business or management issue. Each student conducts the thesis under the supervision of a faculty member.

Students are encouraged from the start of the specialisation to think about a topic for their thesis. At the end of the specialisation, a written thesis is submitted. A viva voce oral examination is also held, at which the research is presented to and assessed by an academic jury.

The professional thesis represents 17 of the total of 90 ECTS credits earned over this academic year.

During this time, students will also participate in a mandatory Research Seminar held by an ESCP professor. This seminar represents 3 ECTS credits of the total 90 earned over this academic year.

The Master thesis requirement enables students to:

• Develop skills in problem identification and formulation
• Select appropriate research methods
• Plan a complex piece of work
• Collect and interpret relevant data
• Carry out a critical analysis and formulate recommendations