Universiteit Leiden

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Economics and Governance (MSc)

The Economics and Governance specialisation of the Master in Public Administration teaches you to formulate problem-solving approaches to concrete policy issues found at the intersection between economics and public administration, specifically focusing on welfare states and markets. This specialisation is a unique joint offering of the Department of Economics and the Institute of Public Administration.

Laura Farci

Student Economics and Governance

Laura Farci

'I believe that there is so much added value in learning both economics and public administration, as they truly complement each other in their pursuit to understand and capture the complexity of the social world.'

Governance and Economy

This MSc programme has exceeded my expectations in so many ways. First and foremost, I find the content I am being taught every day stimulating, challenging and diversified. In this sense, I think it reflects the need in society for professionals with a broad, holistic range of different perspectives and competences very well. I believe that there is so much added value in learning both economics and public administration, as they truly complement each other in their pursuit to understand and capture the complexity of the social world. If you have a curious mind, delving into the literature of these disciplines is definitely something to recommend. In the same week, I may be learning about the ethics and values in public policy and decision-making, the laws of market competition, the economics of the welfare state, or learning how to use STATA for my research projects. This not only enhances my intellectual curiosity, but it also equips me with a wide range of both soft and hard skills. So far, the programme has helped me understand the multifaceted societal issues that interest me, and I know that I will be better prepared to tackle them in the real-world after I graduate. 

I also find the people in my course extremely interesting and bright, they all come from very different backgrounds, carry different ideas, perspectives, knowledge and hopes for the future. Each with their own story and journey that brought them here.

Last, but not least, the city of The Hague, where all the lectures are, has been such a pleasant discovery for me. I had never been here before, and now I enjoy spending time in the city, the architecture, historical importance, and vibrancy. Most of all, I am at the doorstep of great institutions, where maybe one day I will be lucky enough to work! 

Gonçalo Veiga da Silva

Alumnus, Trainee at the European Commission

Gonçalo Veiga da Silva

'I acknowledged the importance of also being empowered with a better understanding of economics and skills of economic reasoning. The MPA specialisation in economics and governance was the opportunity to develop those skills and knowledge, with an additional advantage: not only I would expand my knowledge on economics, as I would also be studying how public administrations work.'

    I always had a strong sentiment about public service. When I finished my bachelor´s in law, I felt I had developed a good picture of how the World works and how society is regulated and their different fields ´operate`. Simultaneously, however, I did recognize that if I wanted to deliver a positive change to the World in a future professional career, some steps were still to be taken. In this context, I acknowledged the importance of also being empowered with a better understanding of economics and skills of economic reasoning. The MPA specialisation in economics and governance was the opportunity to develop those skills and knowledge, with an additional advantage: not only I would expand my knowledge on economics, as I would also be studying how public administrations work.     The combination between courses on economics and public administration is the greatest advantage of this Master, and definitely what makes it unique. On the one hand, we are being taught public policy and administration theory. On the other hand, we are developing skills in a central field of the governance of our societies: economics. I believe this complementarity has the potential to empower future public servants, politicians and people motivated about public affairs with the capacity to not only understand the environment in which they will work, but also to contribute for better public policies.     In fact, I feel I am applying myself some of the skills I developed in this Master. In my traineeship in the European Commission, I am constantly performing tasks that require me to be able to understand and analyse economic data and research. I also feel that on discussions on different policies` design, implementation, and evaluation I can devote a critical look to what is under consideration and reflect myself on the consequences of a given decision or intervention. Moreover, I sharpened my ability to read the policy cycles and the political phenomena inherent to the work of the Commission. Lastly and even before starting my traineeship, the Master gave me the opportunity to devote a Master`s thesis to the economic impact of the EU`s cohesion policy. This not only provided me the space to deep my expertise on the field I am currently working at, as it also forced me to develop very important skills for my career, including the ability to conduct economic research, apply econometric models and use statistical software.     I would recommend this programme to all those interested to devote a career to public service and/or affairs. The Master is particularly useful for those that aim at being competent in a very relevant field of the governance of our societies – economics -, but who also want to be prepared to understand the environment in which public policies are born and shaped – administrations/organizations.

Prof. dr. Olaf van Vliet

Professor

Prof. dr. Olaf van Vliet

'What is unique about this programme is the combination of two disciplines. On the one hand you will apply sound economic analysis to design effective policies to address societal challenges and on the other hand you will learn how to operate successfully in a complex decision-making process.'

In Economics and Governance students apply modern economics to address societal issues such as reforming pension and healthcare systems in ageing societies, global environmental challenges, the impact of globalization on labour markets and income inequality, and pressure from immigration.

Our graduates have both strong analytical skills to design and evaluate effective policies and they have the right skills for managing policy processes.  They go on to work as economic policy-advisors or as financial professionals at a government ministry or at a consultancy firm, but we also have alumni who started a career at well-known multinational companies or in the financial sector.

Study Economics and Governance, specialisation of the Master Public Administration

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What does this master's programme entail?

In Economics and Governance students apply modern economics to address societal issues such as reforming pension and healthcare systems in ageing societies, global environmental challenges, the impact of globalization on labour markets and income inequality, and pressure from immigration. This programme offers advanced knowledge and analytical tools on how to use data and statistics in doing analyses, which has become more and more important on today’s and tomorrow’s labour market. Moreover, our programme allows students to increase their economic reasoning skills and to critically evaluate various policy instruments.

The Economics and Governance specialisation aims to develop professionals who are able to analyse and address policy problems broadly, and in the field of social policy and market regulation specifically. The focal point is on welfare states and markets. You learn about the role of government in creating, facilitating and controlling markets. You also examine the status of the current welfare state, such as the pension system, social security, labour markets, and income distribution in society; and the challenges the welfare state currently faces. You are provided a strong multidisciplinary preparation for a professional career in areas such as socio-economic policy- making or market regulation. The combination of applied economics and public governance forms a solid base for policy-makers, consultants and future leaders.

Read more about the Economics & Governance programme.

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Why study Economics and Governance?

What is unique about this programme is the combination of two disciplines? On the one hand you will apply sound economic analysis to design effective policies to address societal challenges and on the other hand you will learn how to operate successfully in a complex decision-making process. A unique aspect of the programme is that courses are being taught by professors in economics and professors in public administration with hands-on experience in advising policy-makers. Students have the possibility to customise the programme to their individual preferences, with emphasis on either more economics oriented or public administration oriented electives.

  • You will learn to solve key societal problems at the intersection of economics and public administration.
  • You will combine theoretical knowledge with academic and professional skills.
  • You will be instructed by driven professors who are involved in high-level research within your subject and who are experienced with strategic policy advice in practice. 
  • As you will be examining international cases on issues that involve economics and governance.
  • You will develop unique skills that prepare you to become a policy advisor, policy analyst, or consultant after graduation.
  • You will be studying in the heart of The Hague - a bustling, cosmopolitan urban centre and the administrative heart of the Netherlands - amidst government ministries, international organisations and multinationals. Find out more reasons to choose Public Administration.

Find out more reasons to choose Public Administration.

Economics and Governance: the right master’s programme for you?

  • Are you interested in developing your skills in economic reasoning, conducting economic analysis, and working with data and statistics?
  • Are you interested in the interplay between governance and the world’s economies?
  • Do you want to find solutions to societal issues through a multi-level, multi-stakeholder governance perspective?
  • Do you want a multidisciplinary Master of Public Administration that combines economics and public administration and is taught at a high academic level?

Then this is the study for you! 

Read more about the admission requirements.