Master of Science in Quantitative Economics for Sustainability Leipzig University

The Master’s programme in Quantitative Economics for Sustainability (QuESt) is a full economics programme that focuses on the sustainable economy. Based on quantitative methods of economics and in interdisciplinary collaboration with natural sciences, QuESt asks how the economy can and should be transformed towards ecological and social sustainability.

The central focus is on a sustainable economy. QuESt asks how the private and public economy can be transformed to preserve the natural resource base and to be oriented toward intra- and intergenerational justice. Increasingly, the sustainability is understood as quantitatively measurable. For example, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their 169 sub-targets are tracked by means of quantitative indicators. Accordingly, QuESt focuses on quantitative methods, specifically:

a) statistical and econometric methods for processing and analysing data from observations and experiments,

b) methods of economic and integrated economic-natural science modelling to study the consequences of different courses of action for the future development of the economy and its natural basis (climate, biodiversity, resources).

Graduates are well prepared for careers in the private sector, public administration, research institutions, NGOs and international organisations. Possible fields of employment include ministries, environmental agencies, planning offices, financial institutions, sustainability departments and data- or risk-analysis roles. At the same time, the programme provides a strong basis for doctoral study and for an academic career, particularly in sustainability economics and related interdisciplinary research fields (e.g. the research training group Economics of Connected Natural Commons: Atmosphere and Biodiversity (ECO-N).

The MSc Quantitative Economics for Sustainability (QuESt) at Leipzig University comprises 120 ECTS credits and is normally completed over four semesters. The curriculum includes 50 ECTS credits of compulsory modules, 20 ECTS credits of compulsory elective modules, 30 ECTS credits in the free elective area, and a Master’s thesis worth 20 ECTS credits.

First semester: students begin by building a strong analytical and methodological foundation in economics and sustainability economics. They take the following modules:

• Advanced Microeconomics (10 ECTS)
• Advanced Econometrics and Statistics (10 ECTS)
• Quantitative Sustainability Economics (10 ECTS)

Second semester: students continue their core training and deepen their chosen profile through further compulsory and compulsory elective modules:

• Advanced Macroeconomics (10 ECTS)
• One compulsory elective module (10 ECTS)
• One compulsory elective module (10 ECTS)

Third semester: students complete the free elective area, which can also be achieved by spending a semester abroad. The free elective area may consist of modules from the faculty of business and economics, other faculties at Leipzig University, or interdisciplinary modules, particularly in cooperation with the faculty of physics and Earth system sciences and iDiv.

• Free elective modules / semester abroad (30 ECTS)

Fourth semester: students complete the final research phase of the programme:

• Research Methods in Sustainability Economics (10 ECTS)
• Master’s thesis (20 ECTS)

For the compulsory elective area, students must choose at least 20 ECTS credits from the following modules:

• Climate Economics (10 ECTS)
• Biodiversity Economics (10 ECTS)
• Environmental Economics (10 ECTS)
• Institutional Economics of Sustainability Transitions (10 ECTS)

Other modules listed in the programme documents for the free elective area include:

• Ecological-Economic Modelling for the Sustainable Use and Conservation of Biodiversity (10 ECTS)
• Interdisciplinary modules on climate change and/or biodiversity change
• Modules from the MSc Economics
• Modules from Management Science
• Modules from Business Information Systems
• Modules from Business Education and Management Training
• Modules from other faculties at Leipzig University, particularly under cooperation agreements with the faculty of physics and Earth system Sciences and iDiv

Students may undertake a research internship, working on an independent project under academic supervision.

Application period for applicants with a German higher education degree:

• first-semester students starting in the winter semester: beginning of May to 31 May
• If you want to apply for a higher semester, please see this website.

Application period for applicants with an international higher education degree:

• to start in the winter semester: beginning of April to 31 May
• International students apply here.

Eligibility requirements

• You will need a completed Bachelor's degree programme with business and economics content.

Selection criteria

• Previous academic performance (GPA or average mark)
• Academic background and fit to the study programme

A semester fee of around 300 EUR must be paid, which includes a ticket for local public transport. For more details, see this website.

Students in Leipzig should budget 850 EUR per month for living costs.

The following website lists student jobs at the university: Job portal.

Students of the Master's programme can also find research assistant positions at the university or one of the many research institutes in the city.

The Career Service of Leipzig University offers counselling and orientation services to prepare students for the transition from studies to the labour market.

Accommodation is available through the Student Services Office or on the private market.

The cost for a single room in the dorms is approx. 250 to 350 EUR per month. More information can be found here.