Program Structure
Tinbergen Institute Research Master’s Program focuses on Economics, Econometrics and Finance.
Before the start of the academic year, refresher courses are offered in mathematics and programming in econometrics.
In the first year, students receive rigorous training in the core subjects and tools of economics, econometrics and finance. In the second year, students specialize in their choice of the institute’s many research areas through field coursework and thesis research. More than 40 field courses are offered in the second year of the program.
First year of the Curriculum
First year overview:
| Block | Micro/Macro/Finance | (Advanced) Mathematics, Statistics and Econometrics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Introduction | Refresher courses in Programming, Mathematics and Microeconomics | |
| I | Microeconomics I | Fundamental or Adv Mathematics; Statistics or Asymptotic Statistics | Introduction to scientific integrity |
| II | Microeconomics II and Macroeconomics I | Econometrics I or Advanced Econometrics I | Introduction to TI research groups |
| III | Two of the following courses: Microeconomics III, Macroeconomics II or Asset Pricing | Econometrics II or Advanced Econometrics II | Introduction to TI research groups |
| IV | Two of the following courses: Microeconomics IV, Macroeconomics III or Corporate Finance Theory |
Econometrics III or Advanced Econometrics III | Introduction to TI research groups |
| V | Three field courses selected from a dedicated list (at least one of them in the field macroeconomics) | Introduction to TI research groups | |
See full list of courses (EUR Course Catalog).
In the first year of the program, students have to complete 60 ECTS. Depending on their educational background, students decide whether they take the normal or the advanced versions of the courses in mathematics, statistics and econometrics. If a student wishes to take an advanced course, this decision must be explicitly discussed with and approved by the TI Director of Graduate Studies.
The first-year of the curriculum includes 12 core courses, 3 field courses (to be chosen from a selection of field courses organized in block V), and the Introduction to TI research groups (visits to the research departments of the schools). The visits allow students to explore potential supervisors and fields of specialization, and vice versa, allow potential supervisors to scout out talented students. Attendance at courses and seminar series is mandatory.
In blocks III and IV, students have the option to replace a Micro or Macro course for a course in finance (Asset Pricing and Corporate Finance Theory).
In block V, students select three field courses out of a designated list of field courses. Please note that at least one first year field courses must be completed within the Macro field. First year field courses cannot be replaced by first year core courses, second year field courses or by a field paper. Students who fail first year field courses need to retake a first-year field course in the second year of the program.
Throughout the first year, students join organized visits to the research departments of the partner schools. During these visits, students are introduced to all research groups connected to the program, meet with scholars and learn about the ongoing research projects.
Second Year of the Curriculum
In the second year, students have to:
- complete 27 ECTS of specialized coursework (students can replace one 3 ECTS course for a research internship);
- complete the courses on Academic Writing (1 ECTS), Presenting in Academia (1 ECTS) and Scientific Integrity (1 ECTS);
- write and publicly defend a thesis (30 ECTS). The thesis is the final examination of the research master program.
More than 40 field courses are offered. The TI field courses for 2024-2025 are listed here; course descriptions are in the Erasmus course catalogue.