Master's Degree in Economics, Regulation and Competition in Public Services
Barcelona, Spain
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
Spanish, English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 19 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 19.37 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2025-2026
Key Summary
About: The Master's degree in Economics, Regulation and Competition in Public Services at The University of Barcelona offers specialized training for engineers and holders of bachelor's and pre-EHEA degrees in economics, law and administration. It focuses on regulation of network services (energy, telecommunications), provision of territorial services (water, transport) and on policy reform to introduce competition in public service management. The program combines economic analysis, regulatory frameworks and competition policy, preparing students for technical and managerial roles in public and private sectors.
Career Outcomes: Alumni include regulators, policy analysts, legal and economic consultants, utility managers, public directors and sector advisors.
The master's degree in Economics, Regulation and Competition in Public Services provides specialized training in the professional area of economics, regulation and competition in public services for engineers and holders of bachelor's degrees and pre-EHEA undergraduate degrees in economics, law and administration.
The degree provides specialized training in the regulation of network services (energy and telecommunications), in the provision of territorial services (water and transport) and, more generally, in the reform of policies on the regulation and introduction of competition in the management of public services.
Fundación Carolina Scholarships
The Master’s programme is supported by the Fundación Carolina, a public–private institution that promotes cultural relations and cooperation in the fields of education and science between Spain and the countries of the Ibero-American Community.
To apply for the scholarship, candidates must complete and submit the online application available on the Fundación Carolina website by 2 March 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
The master's degree in Economics, Regulation and Competition in Public Services is a professionally-oriented program designed to prepare holders of an undergraduate or bachelor's degree in economics, law or business administration for careers in the economic and legal areas of public service provision, also known in the European Union as services of general interest or universal essential services.
To this end, the master's program offers specialized professional training in the field of public service economics and law, competition policy, market regulation of network services (energy and telecommunications), the provision of regional public services (water and transport) and public services reform policy.
The course is designed to provide students with the skills and competences to address the problems encountered in public services in a confident and instinctive manner. In particular, the program prepares graduates to deal with problems related to the liberalization of economic public services, leading to freedom of establishment and competition among providers in the provision of certain services.
The University of Barcelona consistently ranks among the top institutions nationally, in Europe, and worldwide. Its performance in the most prestigious international rankings reflects excellence in teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and global engagement.
- Ranked 1st nationally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
- Ranked 1st nationally in the THE (Times Higher Education) World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 68th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 27th in Europe in the Best Global Universities Rankings
Studying at the University of Barcelona means joining a world-class academic community recognized for its innovation and impact.
Among the more than 250 former students of the program are qualified engineers, legal professionals and economists who perform operational or management roles in the following areas:
- Regulation, corporate strategy and institutional relations, and general directorates of public and private operators providing services of general interest.
- DGs and education and research sectors in public regulation and market supervision agencies or authorities for the promotion and defence of competition.
- Legal consultants for public and private operators, regulatory and supervisory bodies and competition authorities.
- DGs and technical departments of government offices responsible for the planning and regulation of public services.
- Technical and management areas of economic, legal and strategic consulting firms, and in legal consultancies.