Master of Science in Economics - Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies

The Department of Economics and Management of the University of Pisa and the Laboratory of Economics and Management of Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies have developed a challenging two-year Master of Science (MSc) Program in Economics.

The Master Program provides students with advanced training in economics supported by complementary quantitative and statistical tools. The central aim of the program is to enhance the abilities of students of analyzing economic phenomena at different levels: firm, industry, national and international. This range of skills represents the ideal foundation for the development of professionals able to interpret the fast-changing economic environments of the 21st century.

This two-year degree is designed for students aiming at knowledge-intensive careers in dynamic firms and corporations, consultancies, and public organizations. It offers a solid foundation for those willing to pursue an academic career in the field of economics or other professional activities characterized by strong research content.

Admission Requirements

In order to gain admission to the MSE program, the applicant’s curriculum studiorum must meet some minimal requirements and the candidate must exhibit personal qualifications, as well as an adequate command of the English language.

Minimal requirements

During their Bachelor studies, applicants should have already obtained a minimum number of credits in key disciplines. In particular:

• 18 credits in Economics;
• 9 credits in Statistics;
• 9 credits in Mathematical Methods in Economics, Actuarial Science and Finance;
• 45 credits in a wider range of disciplines including Economics; Economic Policy; Public Finance; History of Economic Thought; Econometrics; Applied Economics; Accounting; Economics and Business Administration; Economics of Financial Intermediaries; Economic History; Private Law; Public Law; Political Sciences; Contemporary History; Geometry; Mathematics; Probability and Mathematical Statistics; Operations Research; Experimental Physics; Theoretical Physics, Mathematical Methods, and Models.

For prospective applicants who have not graduated from an Italian University, the fulfillment of minimal requirements is assessed by examining in detail the contents of the courses taken in their previous academic careers.

Personal qualification

The candidate must possess a good knowledge at the undergraduate level of the theoretical and quantitative tools (math and stats) needed to profitably attend the MSE program. 

The overall profile and the undergraduate performance must show a solid background and inclination toward the subjects and specializations offered in the program. 

The assessment of the personal qualification is made by the Admission Committee after careful scrutiny of the curriculum vitae and the undergraduate career of the candidate.

Command of English

All candidates must be able to understand and express themselves both in spoken and written English: the minimum level required is a B2 in the framework of CEFR. 

In particular cases, documentary evidence of the command of the English language (TOEFL, IELTS, CBT, etc.) can be substituted by a personal declaration.

Course Structure

It is a two-year master (120 ECTS), completely taught in English. In the 1st year, students find mandatory and fundamental activities, while the 2nd year is demanded to elective activities, where students can tailor a personal specialization track toward the final Master Dissertation.

The program is available in two different curricula:

• General Economics (GE);
• Official Statistics (OS) - labeled by the European Commission with EMOS

(European Master in Official Statistics).

Curriculum Overview

FIRST-YEAR (60 ECTS)

• Advanced Econometrics (9 ECTS)
• Advanced Macroeconomics (12 ECTS)
• Advanced Microeconomics (12 ECTS)
• Advanced Statistics (9 ECTS)

Curriculum General Economics (GE)

• Mathematical Methods for Economics (12 ECTS)
• European Economic Law (6 ECTS)

Curriculum in Official Statistics (OS)

• Official Statistics (Internship) (12 ECTS)
• European Economic Law (6 ECTS)

SECOND-YEAR (60 ECTS)

Student’s choice for a total of 12 ECTS:

• Business and Society (6 ECTS)
• Corporate Finance (6 ETCS)
• Economics of Management and Innovation (6 ECTS)
• Regional Development (6 ECTS)

Curriculum General Economics (GE)

Student’s choice for a total of 24 ECTS:

• Small Area Methods for Analysis of Multidimensional Poverty Data and Seminars (9 ECTS)
• Analysis of Survey Data and Small Area Estimation (6 ECTS)
• Classical Economics (3 ECTS)
• Computational Economics (6 ECTS)
• Economic Growth in History (9 ECTS)
• Economic Policy (6 ECTS)
• European Indicators of Poverty and Vulnerabilities for Sustainable Development Goal and Seminars (9 ECTS)
• European Statistical System and Data Production Model (6 ECTS)
• Financial Economics (9 ECTS)
• Public Economics (6 ECTS)
• Globalization and Economic Development (6 ECTS)
• History of Economic Thought (6 ETCS)
• Industrial Economics (6 ECTS)
• International Political Economy (6 ECTS)
• Labour Economics in a European Perspectives (6ECTS)
• Mathematical Methods for Financial Markets (6 ECTS)
• Survey Methods (6 ECTS)
• The Economics of European Regions (9 ECTS)
• The Economics of European Union (6 ECTS)
• Time Series Econometrics (6 ECTS)
• Student’s free choice (9 ECTS)

Final dissertation (15 ECTS)

Curriculum in Official Statistics (OS)

• European Statistical System and Data Production Model (6 ECTS)
• Survey Methods (6 ECTS)

Student’s choice for a total of 6 ECTS:

• Analysis of Survey Data and Small Area Estimation (6 ECTS)
• Time Series Econometrics (6 ECTS)

Final dissertation in Official Statistics (30 ECTS)

Tuition Fees

University fees depend on the student’s country of origin and can vary from $461 up to $2,665 for the academic year.

Scholarships

Students of MSE can be eligible for these types of financial support:

Scholarships provided by the University of Pisa

The top eighteen international students enrolled in the academic year will be able to benefit from one of the merit scholarships that the University of Pisa will allocate in order to increase the number and the quality of international students in the University.

Each scholarship will be consist of:

• First-year of course: $6,788 net and exemption from University fees.
• Second-year of course: $9,051 net and a reduction of 50% of the University fees if the student has obtained at least 36 CFU credits with an average grade of at least 25/30.

Eligibility

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of a unique ranking, made by a committee that will evaluate the following factors:

• CV
• Interview
• CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
• Country of origin of the applicant, giving priority to the less economically advantaged countries.

Scholarship Application

In order to take part in the allocation of the scholarships, candidates must apply to the course of study of interest by one of the deadlines suggested by the course of study itself, but in any case not later than the 30th of March.

The allocation of the scholarships will happen before the enrollment so that eventual non-EU winners applying for a VISA will be able to use it during the pre-enrollment phase to demonstrate sufficient economical means to afford to study in Italy at the competent Italian diplomatic Representation.

Support by Azienda DSU Toscana

This financial support consists of a mix of supporting activities, as free accommodation, free access to the canteen, partial exemption from fees, etc. 

The assignment of this type of financial support is decided by Azienda DSU Toscana.