Master in Economic Research
Prague, Czech Republic
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 Mar 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Oct 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 8,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* https://www.cerge-ei.cz/ma-in-economic-research/tuition-financial-support-maer
Key Summary
Introduction
CERGE-EI (Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute) is a joint workplace of Charles University (Faculty of Social Sciences) and the Economics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
We currently offer following programs:
Master in Economic Research is a 2-year western-style program designed for students interested in applied economic research and public policy. The aim of this program is to prepare students for their careers in public policy institutions (central banks, ministries, government advisory bodies), international organizations, think-tanks, and private sector companies. Graduates receive a Czech degree fully accredited by Charles University.
PhD in Economics is a western-style program designed for outstanding students interested in economic research and who desire a rigorous graduate education in Economics at a prestigious international institution. Similar to top western institutions, the program consists of two years of MA-level coursework and two or more years of dissertation research. After two years, students receive a US MA in Economics degree. Graduates receive both US and Czech doctoral degrees. The majority of students receive a tuition waiver and a living stipend.
Admissions
Curriculum
Students of MA in Economic Research function as full-time students for the whole duration of their studies, and are strongly recommend to devote full-time effort to their study plan.
Students must accumulate 120 ECTS:
- 39 from passing compulsory courses
- 72 from passing elective courses from a specified list
- 9 from optional courses (CERGE-EI elective courses or courses of other departments of Charles University)
First Year
During their first year, students follow a set curriculum that provides a strong theoretical and empirical foundation in economic theory and its applications. Students cannot select their elective courses in the first year. In the spring semester, students register their planned MA thesis topic and supervisor.
Second Year
In their second year, students must pass two compulsory subjects – Research Writing II and the Master Thesis Seminar. The rest of their classes are electives and optional courses – we recommend that students enroll in 2 to 3 elective economics subjects per semester. At the end of their second year, students complete their studies and defend their MA thesis.
Gallery
Rankings
CERGE-EI (Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute) is a joint workplace of Charles University and the Economics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
Global Impact and Reputation
CERGE-EI IS ranked in the top 5% research institutions worldwide by the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) and Research Papers in Economics (RePEc). It is the Central and East European Regional Network representative for the Global Development Network (GDN) – a leading worldwide network of policy and research institutes in the area of development economics.
CERGE-EI graduates pursue academic careers in prestigious university departments around the world, such as Max Planck Institute, Tilburg University or New York University, hold high-level positions in international organizations, including the World Bank, IMF, government ministries, central banks, think tanks, and private sector organizations. Many find jobs in international business sectors, including major banks and consulting firms such as Moody’s Analytics, EY, or Erste Group.
CERGE-EI operates under Charles University, the oldest university in Central Europe, ranked among the top 200 universities in Economics and Econometrics by the 2024 QS World University Ranking by Subjects, the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024 (Shanghai Ranking), and World University Rankings 2024 by Subject (Times Higher Education Ranking).
Western-style Graduate Economics Education
CERGE-EI has an absolute charter issued by the New York State Board of Regents in the United States, and is fully accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports of the Czech Republic.
Ideal Students
Educational background requirements
| 1) | BA degree |
| A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent that can be recognized in the Czech Republic, or the expectation of completing a Bachelor’s degree by September of the year for which you are applying. |
| 2) | Proof of English proficiency level |
| Highly functional English (speaking, listening, writing, reading) to be able to fully engage with courses and course materials in professional-level English. Applicants who are not native speakers (not born in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland or the United States) are required to provide a valid proof of their English proficiency. This should be an internationally recognized exam certificate (IELTS, TOEFL – IC 2403, Cambridge or Duolingo English Test). |
| 3) | Solid background in mathematics |
| Calculus: Convergence of numerical sequences; functions of one variable and many variables; limits and continuity of functions; differentiation and integration; partial and full derivatives | |
| Algebra: Simple linear algebra (elementary operations including matrix multiplication and matrix inversion) | |
| Statistics: Random variables and probability distributions, foundations of statistical estimation and inference |
| 4) | Previous education in economics recommended |
| However, applicants from non-economic fields with a solid mathematical background are also encouraged to apply. |