Economics, Institutions, and Behaviour (MSc) Marburg University

The MSc in Economics, Institutions, and Behaviour offers comprehensive training in economics and is taught entirely in English. This programme distinguishes itself from standard MSc Economics curricula through its distinctive focus on the economic analysis of institutions, integrating behavioural perspectives. This emphasis stems from the understanding that an economy's performance critically depends on its institutions — ranging from formal laws, regulations, social security systems, and central bank design to informal institutions like social norms.

After completing foundational courses, students can tailor their studies by choosing from three specialisation areas: Political Economy; Sustainability; and Money, Accounting, and Finance.

Students in the MSc in Economics, Institutions, and Behaviour benefit significantly from joining an international cohort, experiencing small class sizes that foster intensive interaction with lecturers, and engaging with a programme backed by many years of successful delivery.

In accordance with the Bologna guidelines for European higher education, the programme is structured for students to achieve 30 ECTS credit points per semester, culminating in a total of 120 ECTS.

The curriculum is composed of the following modules:

• Foundations (24 ECTS): This module provides introductory courses in Institutional Economics and Behavioural Economics, while also establishing essential groundwork in Theoretical Microeconomics and Empirical Analysis for subsequent studies.
• Institutions and Behaviour: Theory (18 ECTS): Focuses primarily on advanced courses in institutional economics, characterised by a theoretical methodological approach.
• Institutions and Behaviour: Empirics (18 ECTS): Offers advanced courses in institutional economics, distinguished by an empirical methodological approach.
• Specialisation Areas (Up to 30 ECTS can be chosen from one or more areas):
  • Political Economy: Explores the interplay between the political sphere and the economy, analysing factors like political competition and the role of politicians as self-interested actors.
  • Sustainability: Addresses diverse societal and organisational sustainability challenges, employing various methods within an interdisciplinary framework to identify potential solutions.
  • Money, Accounting, and Finance: Provides perspectives from both economics and business administration on financial markets, equipping students for careers in this sector.
• Electives (up to 18 ECTS): This area allows students to broaden their academic scope by exploring other disciplinary perspectives or to gain practical, career-oriented insight through an internship eligible for academic credit.
• Master's Thesis (30 ECTS): The programme concludes with the Master's thesis. In this final phase, students conduct an independent research project under the supervision of an experienced professor, applying the analytical skills and knowledge acquired throughout the programme.

The programme is designed as a consecutive programme for students with a BSc/BA in Economics or a BSc/BA with an Economics major.

At the time of application, students should have been awarded at least 144 ECTS points. Students who have studied another programme with a clear emphasis on economics can also apply. In this case, the requirements are 72 ECTS in economics courses (not business!) and research methods, particularly mathematics and statistics.

There is a semester fee, which includes the mandatory student union membership (required by state law) and a free travel pass for public transport in the state of Hesse and beyond, as well as access to subsidised accommodation and meals. In the summer semester of 2026, the semester fee amounted to approx. 406 EUR.
https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying/life-at-umr/finance

Living costs depend on individual lifestyles and on regional prices. The Marburg foreigners' registration office ("Ausländerbehörde") requires international students to prove that they have at least 992 EUR per month at their disposal in order to cover their living costs.
https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying/life-at-umr/finance

Within certain legal limits, job opportunities are available for international students. Fluent German is required for most jobs. Employment for international students must be approved by the foreigners' registration office. There are hardly any legal restrictions on taking academic assistant jobs at the university.

Further information on job opportunities and university career services: https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying/life-at-umr/work-1

Our Career Advisory Service supports students transitioning from their studies to professional life. Each semester, Marburg University offers a wide range of workshops and events on topics such as job applications, career planning, and entering the workforce, which are open to students from all faculties. In one-on-one counselling sessions, some in cooperation with the Employment Agency’s Career Team in Marburg, students receive advice regarding career orientation and career options in Germany. Our staff support students in integrating their strengths, interests, and values in order to actively shape rewarding career paths.

The market situation for accommodation is not easy in Marburg. However, the university assists international students in finding suitable and affordable accommodation. The student services office ("Studierendenwerk Marburg") maintains student residence halls with a total of approx. 2,100 units. Apart from single rooms, there are two- to three-room flats for student families. Only students registered at Marburg University are entitled to a place in a residence hall. The "Konrad Biesalski House", in which handicapped and non-handicapped students live together, offers round-the-clock assistance. A bus service and services such as physiotherapeutic exercises and massage baths are offered. Many students live in private accommodation or shared flats. The supply of flats in the centre of Marburg is limited, especially in the Old Town ("Oberstadt"). The situation on the outskirts of Marburg and in the immediate vicinity is better. There are good bus connections. Experience shows that demand for accommodation is highest at the beginning of each semester (April, October), so you should start looking for accommodation around the end of the previous semester (February, July) if possible.
https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying/life-at-umr/housing

Marburg University is not just a German university steeped in tradition. Founded in 1527, it is also the oldest Protestant university in the world. It has been a place of research and teaching for nearly five centuries. Currently, approx. 21,000 students are studying in Marburg, and international students comprise 23% of the student body. With the exception of the engineering sciences, almost all scientific disciplines are represented at Marburg University. Numerous organisations complement and enrich the university’s range of services. These organisations carry out special research activities or support Marburg University in the areas of communications, information technology, and foreign languages.

Total number of students
21,000

International students
23%

The university is an integral part of the scenic town of Marburg, which lies 100 km north of Frankfurt. Marburg is situated on the Lahn River and is marked by the castle on the hill. With its 80,000 inhabitants (approx. 50,000 in the centre), the town has over 21,000 students and about 4,000 people working for the university. The saying "Other towns have a university; Marburg is a university" reflects the unique historic atmosphere of the city. Wherever you are in town, you are part of a vibrant academic community. Marburg can easily be reached by plane, public transport, or by car. For detailed descriptions of the different routes to Marburg and to find one's way around the town, see: https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying/during-studying/life-in-marburg/transport.