Content and Structure

Table of contents

1. 1. Semester 1: Foundations
   2. Semester 2 and 3: Electives
   3. Semester 4: Research Design and Master Thesis

The standard period for full-time study of PIE is four semesters. The total workload amounts to 120 credit points, spreading evenly across semesters.

The study plan below delineates the compulsory and elective elements of the program, presuming the four-semester line-up. Compulsory modules are indicated in yellow, electives in green, and the Master's Thesis in blue. Except for Semester 1, all modules have five credit points or whole multiples.

Semester 1 comprises compulsory modules to equip you with essential methodological and content-related foundations. Semesters 2 and 3 form the elective area with many intriguing economic policy issues in a globalized world. Semester 4 concludes with designing and realizing your research topic in the thesis.

Before detailing content and structure of the program, let us point out that you may study PIE also on a flexible part-time basis. In that case, only 15 credit points must be earned per semester. You can adjust your study plan smoothly by deferring or stretching modules. Find more detailed information in the regulations for part-time studies at the TU Dresden (in German only, alas).

Semester 1: Foundations

The modules of the first semester endow you with up-to-date methodology to go about economic problems. We teach theory and empirics equally. The 12 credit-point module "Principles in Public and International Economics" covers theoretical aspects, whereas "Microeconometrics" (5 credit points) and "Empirical Economics" (7 credit points) address the empirical side. In conveying these contents, we attach great importance to hands-on applicability.

In that vein, the module "Academic Writing" (6 credit points) imparts the proper use of scientific principles in economic research. You will be able to handle relevant literature, including working with literature databases and citing correctly.

Teaching and learning materials are provided in OPAL - the online platform for academic teaching and learning at TU Dresden. You will find the links to the OPAL-courses of the first semester on the OPAL landing page Master Public and International Economics, Class of 2024!

Semester 2 and 3: Electives

These semesters provide you with ample opportunities to strengthen and deepen your knowledge according to your interests. There are no compulsory modules, and you can combine the elective modules very freely. Here are the few restrictions on your choice:  Of the 60 credit points, you must acquire

• at least 35 credit points in Core Electives, and
• at least 10 credit points in Presenting and Discussing.

The remaining 15 credit points can be filled by  Free Electives alternatively to further Core Elective and Presenting and Discussing modules.

Core Electives

This is the heart of the program. The modules offered here address timely and multi-faceted issues in public economics, economic policy, international economics and economic development.  Some examples of current core elective modules are Development Economics, Economics of the Welfare State, Theory of Taxation, International Financial Markets, Exchange Rates, International Public Economics, and Economics of Migration.

Take a look at the website Core Electives for the full list of modules. We update this list regularly to cater to new developments and issues in the field.

Presenting and Discussing

Of course, knowledge in the field is essential for a later career. But communicating expertise and keeping up over time are just as important.

The area "Presenting and Discussing" targets exactly these skills. You will work through recent scientific contributions in the seminar and project formats offered, present them and discuss them with us. The mutual exchange between teachers and students is the best basis for application-oriented learning!

Each participating Chair offers modules in this area at least annually. Topics vary, taking up current scientific debates and advances. See the website Presenting and Discussing for a schedule of the modules.

Free Electives

This area offers various interdisciplinary approaches and topics from related disciplines to supplement your profile. It also includes an internship and a language course in German as a foreign language.

See the current list of offers on the website Free Electives!

Semester 4: Research Design and Master Thesis

The Master Thesis (20 credit points) and the Research Design module consume the final semester. For the Master Thesis, you will work independently and scientifically on an economic topic for 18 weeks. You receive the necessary analytical and methodological skills and repeated feedback from your supervisor in the concurrent module Research Design (10 credit points).

You are allowed to start with the Master Thesis only if you have already acquired 75 credit points in total before. Also, you must begin no later than the semester after passing the last exam.

The Chairs of the Faculty have different regulations on topic assignment, registration and (formal) requirements for the thesis. Please inform yourself here at the Chair of your choice!