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Completion of this pre-Master's grants you access to 2 of our Master’s: Economics and Business Economics. The programme is designed to complement your prior education. It will help you to fully catch up on subjects such as econometrics, microeconomics and macroeconomics. Within 1 academic year, you will have all the necessary knowledge and skills to start your Master’s in Economics or your Master’s in Business Economics.

This pre-Master's grants access to:

Why this pre-Master’s programme

If your prior education does not (completely) fit the entry requirements, this pre-Master’s is your stepping stone to getting admitted to our Master's Economics or Master's Business Economics.

Obtaining your MSc degree is a great step for your career. Expert teachers will challenge you to think differently and form your own views and opinions to tackle complex issues. You will also start building your network of experts and leaders in your specialisation (track). Future employers will reward these achievements with a relatively high starting salary and endless promotion opportunities.

Study programme

You have a full academic year to successfully complete the 36 ECTS or 42 ECTS programme. Throughout this year, you can expect excellent teaching and support from our professors, each highly respected in their field of expertise. For your convenience we selected a fixed set of 6 or 7 courses for you. 

  • Statistics 2 for Economics (6 EC)

    Learn about the theories and techniques of estimation and hypothesis in approaching problems in economic practice. Acquire the skills to interpret output of statistical analyses, for drawing conclusions and for diagnostic purposes.

  • Econometrics (6 EC)

    Learn how to explain and apply different econometric models to real data and interpret the estimation results. Do the basic assumptions hold? If not, what are the consequences and can you apply an alternative estimation technique?

  • Mathematics 2 for Economics (6 EC)

    Learn how to apply mathematical techniques to microeconomic optimisation problems and give an economic interpretation of the results.

  • Microeconomics 2 (6 EC)

    Focus on the thorough quantitative analysis of the foundations of microeconomic theory. How is value determined in a competitive economy? Study how consumer and producer behaviour can be analysed, and how to derive market outcomes and their welfare properties.

  • Macroeconomics 2 (6 EC)

    Study economic behaviour at the aggregate level and try to explain phenomena such as economic growth, unemployment and inflation. Deal with the design of monetary and fiscal policies that may improve the working of the economy.

  • Game Theory (6 EC)

    Game theory is about strategically interdependent decision-making. It offers several concepts and insights for making better strategic decisions. Learn how a game should be formulated and analyse strategic interactions.

  • Mathematics 1 for Economics

    Mathematics 1 provides the basis for the mathematical models you will encounter as an economist. We start from the basis where you identify economic problems that require application of mathematical techniques as part of the solution and interpret the conclusions properly. The tools you will learn to use range from basic arithmetic techniques and summation formulas to limits, inverse function, differentiation and (for an economist crucial) optimisation.

Our pre-Master’s in brief

Language English
Duration 1 academic year
ECTS 36 or 42 ECTS
Start pre-Master's September
Start MSc Economics Following academic year in September (choose 1 of 6 tracks)
Start MSc Business Economics Following academic year in September (choose 1 of 3 tracks)
Cost You pay tuition fee per ECTS. Calculate your tuition fee

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for this pre-Master’s programme depend on your previous education.

  • Previous education from a Dutch research university

    Your eligibility is based on the following citeria: 

    1. Academic Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as law, public policy, or a programme with a minor in Economics. Knowledge of mathematics, statistics and economics at a level comparable to the following courses: Principles of Economics or both Microeconomics 1 and Macroeconomics 1Mathematics 1 for Economics.
    2. GPA selection minimum of 7.0 (with a GPA lower than 7.0, you need excellent grades on the courses mentioned above).
    3. Mathematics VWO Wiskunde A or B with a grade of 6 or higher. Note that the mathematics requirement must be fulfilled on or before the application deadline.
  • Previous education from an international research university

    Students with an EU academic degree + EU nationality:

    Your eligibility is based on the following citeria:

    1. Academic Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as law, public policy, or a programme with a minor in Economics. Knowledge of mathematics, statistics and economics at a level comparable to the following courses (It is required to upload course descriptions of these courses in your online application): Principles of Economics or both Microeconomics 1 and Macroeconomics 1Mathematics 1 for Economics
    2. GPA selection minimum of 7.0.
    3. You need to hand in a GRE test score minimum of 155 for the Quantitative Reasoning section (please take your GRE test before the application deadline).
    4. We require evidence of English language proficiency. Good English skills are essential for successful class participation and understanding. In some cases, you might be exempted from the English test requirement. If not, we'll assess your English skills through specific proficiency tests: 
    • TOEFL iBT Test: minimum total score of 92 with a minimum of 22 per subscore. You can use the institution code 9011 to have your score report sent to us. 
    • IELTS Academic: overall band score of 6.5. Minimum score per subscore: Speaking and Writing a 6.5 and Listening and Reading a 6.0. Please note that the IELTS Indicator test is not allowed. 
    • Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: overall score of 180 and a minimum of 180 per skill. 

     

    Other test versions or modules are not accepted. Examples of this include but are not limited to: IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL Home Edition, TOEFL MyBest Scores, etc.

    Validity of scores 

    Test scores may not be older than 2 years, counting back from the start of the programme. For example, if you are applying for the September 2025 intake, we do not accept English proficiency tests taken before September 2023. Scores older than 2 years are only valid in combination with certain study programmes (check the exemptions). Sufficient test scores received after the application deadline are accepted, as long as your English proficiency test was taken before the application deadline. 

     

    Students with a non-EU degree + non-EU nationality

    If you are a student with a non-EU nationality, you may consider applying for a Master’s-qualifying programme at the Cambridge Education Group.

  • Previous education from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO)

    We do not have a pre-Master’s programme available for students with previous education from a Dutch University of Applied Science (HBO). You can apply for our Bachelor's Economics and Business Economics.

How to apply

If you meet all the admission requirements, you can apply for the pre-Master's programme. Please complete these steps to apply. Only applicants who complete these steps will be considered.

If you have received the great news that you are (conditionally) admitted to the programme, it's time to focus on other essential matters like arranging a visa (if necessary), finding accommodation, and preparing for the start of your academic journey. Want to get an early idea of what you need to consider? Visit one of these helpful pages: practical information / praktische zaken (Dutch info).