The quality of this master's programme has been positively assessed by the Accreditation Organisation of The Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme students will receive a legally accredited master's degree in Econometrics and the title Master of Science (MSc).
The MSc Econometrics has three tracks:
• Econometrics
• Financial Econometrics
• Mathematical Economics
Econometrics emphasises statistical techniques for both micro economic and macro econometric analysis, whereas
Financial Econometrics focuses on mathematical and statistical techniques and their application to financial models and time series.
Mathematical Economics emphasises mathematical modelling of economic and financial markets. The specialisation depends upon the electives and field courses chosen; a flexible mixture of these three specialisations is an option as well.
The MSc in Econometrics is divided into two semesters; each semester is divided into two study periods called quarters. In the first semester 4 core courses (Advanced Econometrics 1+2, Game Theory and General Equilibrium Theory) and 2 electives have to be taken. In both semesters field courses such as Caput Mathematical Economics, Financial Econometrics, Microeconometrics, Nonlinear Economic Dynamics and Stochastic Calculus can be taken. In the second semester a master's thesis in one of the three specialisations, supervised by one of the researchers at the Department of Quantitative Economics must be completed.
Semester | Quarter |
| Semester 1 |
| Advanced Econometrics 1 | I |
| General Equilibrium Theory | I |
| Elective | I |
| Advanced Econometrics | II |
| Game Theory | II |
| Elective | II |
| | |
| Semester 2 | |
| Field Courses | III |
| Master's Thesis | lV |
| | |
| *Field Courses: | |
| Semester 1 | |
| Nonlinear Economics Dynamics | I |
| Caput Mathematical Economics 1 | ll |
| Semester 2 | |
| Caput Mathematical Economics 2 | lll |
| Financial Econometrics | lll |
| Micro Economics | lll |
| Stochastic Calculus | lV |
* Electives can be chosen from the list above or from master's courses from other MSc programmes in Economics, Business Economics or Mathematics at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.
Designed to be completed in twelve months of full-time study, the curriculum is demanding. The programme is expected to start on September 1 of the first semester. During the courses, students take classes usually 12-15 hours a week on different days. Class preparation (reading), homework, debates, casework an computerwork will demand a further 25 hours a week.
The courses are characterised by an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and a strong international orientation. The Faculty of Economics and Business has an excellent international reputation. As well as its regular study programmes, the Faculty offers several postgraduate courses such as the prestigious Master programme in International Finance and international postgraduate courses in Accounting and Controlling.
The PhD programmes provided by the Faculty of Economics and Business are co-ordinated by the Tinbergen Institute (the Netherlands Research Institute and Graduate School for General and Business Economics). The Institute is named after the Nobel laureate Professor Jan Tinbergen.
There are a number of student clubs and organisations at the Faculty. They include the organisation of international study trips, company visits, career weeks, conferences, seminars, skills training and internships. Many of these organisations are internationally oriented, and assist both Dutch and international students to adjust to life in Amsterdam.
The career perspectives for graduates with a Master's degree in Econometrics are excellent and diverse. Many graduates in Econometrics find employment in research departments for economic policy (e.g. central planning bureaus or governmental institutions) or in the financial sector (pension funds, investments banks, insurance companies). The MSc in Econometrics also provides an ideal background for a scholarship for a PhD programme. Furthermore , graduates frequently find employment with multinationals, in the computer industry or as a consultant.
