Quantitative Economics
Master
Overview
The Master in Quantitative Economics is a two-year graduate program oriented towards research and advanced quantitative methodsin economics. Entirely taught in English, it seeks to train top-notch economists who are open and reactive to the many questions and challenges facing contemporary economics. At the same time, graduates will have mastered the quantitative tools to address such challenges in terms of data, especially in light of changes brought by Big Data to the world of public and private decision-makers.
After acquiring the fundamental economic concepts in the first year, you will then specialize in a specific economic field through one of the two Master 2 tracks: the Quantitative Economic Analysis track provides training in economic research, while the Digital Economics track is focused on professional training. In addition to quantitative methods, the curriculum also features instruction on massive database processing, as well as the use of computer programming to solve complex economic issues.
The Master in Quantitative Economics offers a high-level education enabling graduates to apply to a PhD program, as a professional economist in public or semi-public institutions including international organizations (federal departments, economics research institutes, central banks, etc.), or in the private sector (as data analyst, consultant, economic analyst, etc.), in France or abroad.
This master's degree is part of PSL's graduate program in Economics.
Learning outcomes
- Acquire training in economic research and reflect on the public and private stakeholders’ decision-making procedures
- Learn about quantitative methods for processing massive databases, and about how advanced computer programming can solve complex economic issues
- Address the economic problems facing various sectors of the economy: Health, public policies, macroeconomics, finance, energy and environment, development, …
- Make use of statistical and econometric tools to obtain reliable and robust answers, shedding light on businesses’ and public or semi-public institutions’ options
- Report on economic, statistical and/or econometric results to different audiences, orally and in writing
Tracks
Master’s Year 1 : a unique track
- Quantitative Economics: common core, focused on learning the fundamentals of economics.
Master’s Year 2 : two tracks with the common goal of training you in the most advanced quantitative methods, including the processing and modeling of complex databases
- Quantitative Economic Analysis
- Digital Economics
Quantitative Economic Analysis Master 2 track
The Quantitative Economic Analysis track offers excellent training in economic research, which also aligns with the real needs of the public and private decision-making world, in the various economic fields: health, labor economics, public policies, macroeconomics, finance, energy and environment, development economics, ... The curriculum combines cutting-edge specialization courses in economics with advanced quantitative methods, including innovative methods in data science. In addition to fundamental quantitative techniques in economics, the curriculum features courses based on advanced database processing, as well as operational research and decision support. These areas are at the leading edge of current economic research and directly relevant to the questions entailed in economic decision-making, in the private and public sectors alike.
Digital Economics Master 2 track
The Digital Economics track provides expert training in digital economics and methods for analyzing massive data. Harnessing this type of large datasets requires new skills to be able to process high volumes of input and extract useful information. The Digital Economics track therefore aims to train quantitative economists in processing and modeling large, complex datasets to shed light on the decisions of businesses and institutional stakeholders, especially in light of changes brought by Big Data. Employment opportunities are highly varied: data analyst, data scientist, consultant, etc.
Opportunities
The advanced and technically rigorous nature of the program enables students to apply to PhD programs in economics in France or abroad or to embrace careers requiring high technical skills in governments, central banking and international organizations. You will also be well positioned to apply with large and medium-sized companies and consulting companies looking for economists able to understand and clarify the decisions taken by private stakeholders, particularly with respect to digital transformation.
Structure
The program includes two years. The first year of the Master provides a solid knowledge of the fundamental concepts in economics, enabling you to reflect on the public and private stakeholders’ decision-making procedures in a wide area of economic problems. During the second year, you will specialize in a specific economic field through one of the two Master 2 tracks: Quantitative Economic Analysis and Digital Economics.
Master 1
The first year of the Master provides an excellent knowledge of the core economic concepts in microeconomics, macroeconomics, game theory, industrial organization. The strong emphasis on quantitative methods in econometrics and data management will also allow you to become familiar with a variety of techniques for processing and analyzing data. You will be trained to the use of Stata, Matlab, Dynare and Python software.
See the summary of the Master 1 program here and see the detailed syllabus
Master 2
The second year of the Master offers two specialization tracks: the Quantitative Economic Analysis track and the Digital Economics track.
- Quantitative Economic Analysis Master 2 track
The Quantitative Economic Analysis program allows to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the field's foundations, applications, and policies covering theoretical and empirical approaches in economics in general. It offers cutting-edge research training in your field of specialization to choose out of 3 options: Theory, Social and Public policies, or Macroeconomics & Finance.
The program is made of two semesters. During the first semester, students follow two mandatory courses: Information Economics and Machine Learning. In addition, they choose courses consistent with their specialization field, organized in two units: Quantitative Methods and Specialization Courses. During the second semester, students continue their specialization by following advanced courses in their field and an in-depth research seminar, designed to be closely related to the topics of the Master thesis to be defended between late April and early September.
- Digital Economics Master 2 track
The Digital Economics track aims to train quantitative economists in processing and modeling large, complex datasets to shed light on the decisions of businesses and institutional stakeholders, especially in light of changes brought by Big Data.
The program is made of two semesters. The first semester is devoted to fundamental methods and techniques (using econometrics, operating large-scale databases, implementing suitable models, and evaluating parameters).
During the second semester, students choose one of two specializations: Network Economics or Finance. They also attend a seminar on "Data, Regulation and Firms" where private sector’s practitioners and regulators expose the new practices and public policy challenges raised by the digital transformation. The students should also complete an end-of-studies internship lasting at least 4 months. The curriculum includes guest lectures by visiting professionals on issues related to Big Data, providing another means of connecting with relevant business circles.
Costs
Funding
Admissions
Qualifications
- Prerequisites for M1: Students from France and abroad who hold a bachelor’s degree (graduate degree equivalent to 180 ECTS) or equivalent diploma obtained in France or abroad may apply. It is preferred but not mandatory that students have an academic background in these fields: economics, mathematics applied to economics, and computer science applied to economics.
Language requirements
CEFR