Economics

Programme structure

This page shows the programme structure for students admitted autumn 2017 or earlier.

Common structure

  • Common mandatory courses: 30 ECTS
  • Optional courses: 60 ECTS
  • Mandatory master's thesis: 30 ECTS

Students who have not completed introductory econometrics (ECON4150 or equivalent) as part of their bachelor's degree are strongly recommended to take ECON4150 as part of their master's degree.

This table gives an overview of the master's programme. You must click on the programme option in order to see a schedule specified for the track you have chosen.

4. semester ECON4091 – Master Thesis
3. semester Optional ECON4000 course or programme option course Optional ECON4000 course or programme option course Optional ECON4000 course or programme option course
2. semester Optional ECON4000 course / ECON4150 – Introductory Econometrics Optional ECON4000 course or programme option course Optional ECON4000 course or programme option course
1. semester ECON4120 – Mathematics 2: Calculus and Linear Algebra ECON4200 – Microeconomics and Game Theory (discontinued) ECON4310 – Macroeconomic Theory
  10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits

Common mandatory courses

If you have already passed any of these courses as a part of your bachelor's degree at UiO, you must replace the courses with an optional 4000-course in economics.

Programme options

The master's programme has the following three programme options that encompass both mandatory and optional courses. You must sign up for one of these programme options in StudentWeb during your first semester of the programme.

Economics

The Economics programme option includes six optional courses. This allows you to choose freely among the Department’s master’s courses, and tailor your degree according to your academic interests and career plans. 

4. semester ECON4091 – Master Thesis
3. semester Optional ECON4000 course Optional ECON4000 course Optional ECON4000 course
2. semester Optional ECON4000 course / ECON4150 – Introductory Econometrics Optional ECON4000 course Optional ECON4000 course
1. semester ECON4120 – Mathematics 2: Calculus and Linear Algebra ECON4200 – Microeconomics and Game Theory (discontinued) ECON4310 – Macroeconomic Theory
  10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits

Environmental-, Resource- and Development Economics

Environmental-, Resource- and Development Economics (ERDEC) are amongst the Department's core research areas and are highly relevant in our society. The courses in this programme option are taught by leading researchers in these Fields.

4. semester ECON4091 – Master Thesis (with ERDEC topic)
3. semester ECON4925 – Resource Economics Optional ECON4000 course in Economics Optional ECON4000 course in Economics
2. semester Optional ECON4000 course in Economics / ECON4150 – Introductory Econometrics ECON4910 – Environmental Economics ECON4915 – Development Economics
1. semester ECON4120 – Mathematics 2: Calculus and Linear Algebra ECON4200 – Microeconomics and Game Theory (discontinued) ECON4310 – Macroeconomic Theory
  10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits

Mandatory courses for the Environmental-, Resource- and Development Economics programme option

Optional courses

Research

You should choose the Research programme option if you plan for doctoral studies or if you want to extend your skills to the research frontier.

4. semester ECON4091 – Master Thesis (with Research topic)
3. semester ECON5000-course (two of three) ECON5000-course (two of three)
2. semester ECON4150 – Introductory Econometrics Optional ECON4000-course Optional ECON4000-course
1. semester ECON4120 – Mathematics 2: Calculus and Linear Algebra ECON4200 – Microeconomics and Game Theory (discontinued) ECON4310 – Macroeconomic Theory
  10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits 10 ECTS credits

Mandatory courses for the Research programme option

You must choose two courses from the list, and write a master thesis so it could form the starting point for a future doctoral thesis. Additionally ECON4150 – Introductory Econometrics is mandatory if you have not completed this course in your bachelor's degree.

Mandatory master's thesis

See more information about rules and regulations, how to obatin a supervisor, formal requirements, deadlines and submission.

You are responsible for planning your own programme structure

We recommend that students follow the common programme structure. If you do this, you are guaranteed that exams in obligatory courses do not collide. If you choose to organize a different programme structure, you have to check the prerequisites, teaching schedules and time and place for the exams. If you want to retake an exam, we cannot guarantee that the date and time for the exams will not collide with other courses you are taking.

There are restrictions on retaking certain exams after you pass courses that are more advanced.

Recognition of education

If you have education from another higher education institution, you will find information about what to do here.

External economics courses

You can apply to take economics courses at another higher education institution while studying the 2-year master in Economics. Please note that at least 60 ECTS must be submitted at UiO, and that the master thesis can not be submitted or completed at another educational institution if you want to obtain a diploma at UiO. 

External courses in another field of study

If a course from another higher education institution or Department at UiO is relevant enough to the field of Economics to essentially be an economics course, you may apply to replace up to 20 credits in the category "optional ECON4000 course" with other master's level courses within the following fields:

  • Mathematics
  • Statistics
  • Informatics
  • Economic history
  • Health economics
  • Business (only courses like investment analysis, budgeting, accounting and finance. Not marketing, management, organization and psychology). 
  • ENERGI4010 – B?rekraftig energiomstilling

You may apply to replace up to 20 credits in the category "optional ECON4000 course" with other bachelor’s level courses within the following fields:

  • Mathematics
  • Statistics
  • Informatics

Note that the total of credits recognized in another field of study may not exceed 20 credits.

How to apply

You want to take a course:

  1. Contact the relevant department / the higher education institution to ask if you can get access to the course.

  2. Send an e-mail to post@econ.uio.no with information regarding the course you want to take (course content, learning outcome and syllabus). In the application there should be given a justification for why the courses strengthen the qualifications in your degree.

  3. Apply for recognition of education when you get a passing grade in the course.

You have taken a course:

  1. If you have taken the course, apply for recognition of education here.

A semester abroad

We recommend that you go on exchange during your second semester (Spring semester) and take courses that can be approved as optional ECON courses at 4000-level. See more information about a semester abroad.

Diploma and degree

This programme leads to the following degree: Master of Philosophy in Economics

Published Apr. 5, 2018 1:24 PM - Last modified Mar. 2, 2021 2:37 PM