Master's Programme in Economics, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies. A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognised university with a major in Economics. Special requirements: 90 ECTS in Economics (or the comparable experience), including a mandatory undergraduate thesis worth 15 ECTS or the equivalent writing experience. If you are still working towards your undergraduate degree, you need to include with your application a document from your current University, outlining when you are expected to graduate as well as a course outline for the last semester.

Degree

Master of Science (60 credits). Major field of study: Economics
Master of Science (120 credits). Major field of study: Economics. Specialisation in Environmental- and Resource Economics or Health.
 

Description of the education for current education cycle

Description of the education for current education cycle

Description of the education within the second cycle
Education on advanced level should build further upon knowledge retained during basic level studies or the equivalent.
Advanced level education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education
- further develop students' ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,
- develop students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development.
Higher Education Act 1 cpt 9 § (Högskolelagen 1 kap 9 §)

National goals for current degree

National goals for current degree

National goals for Master of Science Degree 60 credits
Knowledge and understanding
For Master of Science Degree 60 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and abilities
For Master of Science Degree 60 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits;
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing  present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development work or to work in other advanced contexts.
Ability to evaluate and approach
For Master of Science Degree 60 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the  main field of study to make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal  need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

National goals for Master of Science Degree 120 credits
Knowledge and understanding
For Master of Science Degree 120 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and abilities
For Master of Science Degree 120 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively  identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits and by so doing add to the knowledge development and to evaluate this work.
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development work or to work  independently in other advanced contexts.

Ability to evaluate and approach
For Master of Science Degree 120 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within main field of study to make judgments with regards to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal  need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Higher Education Ordinance, Appendix 2 - System of Qualifications (Högskoleförordningen, Bilaga 2 – examensordningen)

Local goals for current degree

For a Degree of Master in Science (120 Credits) in Economics with a specialization in Environmental- and Resource Economics the student should:
-    Show knowledge and understanding regarding the interplay between economic factors and the environment but also how economic models and econometric methods can be used for evaluations and development of environmental policy instruments.

For a Degree of Master in Science (120 Credits) in Economics with a specialization in Health Economics the student should:
-    Show knowledge and understanding regarding economic aspects of public health but also how economic models and econometric methods can be used for evaluations and development of health systems.

Examination format

See course syllabuses.

Grades

The program applies a three-point grading scale with the grades, Pass with distinction, Pass and Fail, unless otherwise stated in the syllabus for a particular course. Those who pass an exam cannot redo the exam aiming for a higher grade.

Transfer of Credits

Recognition of courses
Students have the right to apply for recognition of previous courses or activities that can be accepted for credit transfer. For more information see Higher Education Ordinance as well as: http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/transfer-of-credits

A negative decision on recognition of previous courses is possible to appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board. A negative decision should also be motivated in writing.

General

Program outline
The program contains mandatory courses as well as electives. The choice of electives is made after a discussion with the program coordinator or the study advisor. The courses on the program are read in the order described in the program outline presented below. The order of the courses can be changed in the future. Information about the individual courses is found in the course syllabuses.

The student will during the third semester study courses within the profile area, if a profile is chosen. The choice of profile will also determine the profile course on the fourth semester. Students not selecting a profile can choose their own courses during the third semester but must take one of the profile courses offered during the last semester.

Independent work /Essay
To graduate with a One-year Master’s Degree must the student fulfill the course requirement including an independent work (essay) of 15 ECTS. For a Two-year Master’s Degree must a second independent work of at least 15 ECTS be completed.

Program outline

Deferment of studies

Deferment of study entry
Deferment of study entry may be granted if special circumstances exist. Examples of specific reasons are social, medical or other special circumstances such as child care, military or civil service, student union assignments or postponed leave according to law (1974:981) on work labor rights to time off for education. Application for deferment is to be submitted to Student Centrum.
A negative decision on deferment of enrollment may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.
 

Approved leave from studies

The student admitted to the program can apply for a study break. The application is submitted to the program coordinator. Study break with a guaranteed seat may be granted for the following reasons: social, medical or other special circumstances such as child care, military or civil-service or student union assignments.
Negative decision to resume studies after study breaks can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.
 

Discontinuation

Students who interrupt their education shall notify their dropout to the Program Coordinator.
 

Other

Threshold Determination
Access to courses in the program is governed by the course syllabus.