Master of Science in Applied Economics

The University

The University of Neuchâtel was established in 1838. In 2024, we have been ranked among the top 26 small universities (< 5000 students) worldwide by Times Higher Education and among the top 3 Universities to do a master's by Inomics. We are dedicated to offering our students the best possible learning experience, with proximity between teaching staff and students being a priority. Neuchâtel enjoys a central location in Switzerland and a magnificent environment, near the lake and mountains. Zurich and Geneva can be reached in less than 1.5 hours by direct train connections.

Courses and instructors

The cohort size is below 20 students, which favors a profound learning experience and gives participants privileged contact with instructors. All courses are in English. They are taught by academic professors and practitioners, including PhD economists with a policy background at the World Trade Organization, the Swiss National Bank, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Structure of the program

The full-time study program includes three semesters of courses (72 ECTS) and a master's thesis written during the third semster (18 ECTS), either on an academic topic (e.g. for students who wish to pursue a PhD) or as part of an internship. The program can be extended to six semesters to accommodate professional activities and family life. In addition, there is an option to set up a personalized study program for candidates planning to spend less than four days a week studying.

Specializations 

• Data Science
• Sustainability

To obtain a specialization, students must complete a specific set of courses and a master's thesis on a topic in the field. However, students do not have to commit to a specialization before the end of the study program. The relevant courses are listed in the study plan.

Fees

Application fee: CHF 100. Tuition fee: CHF 515 per semester for Swiss residents and CHF 790 for non-Swiss residents. 

Job prospects

We strive to place our students in excellent jobs. The quantitative skills acquired during the program are highly relevant on the job market. Our students enjoy many opportunities for internships and jobs. Past students were employed in the financial and real estate sectors, public administration, consulting companies, higher education, and non-governmental and international organizations. Moreover, many students started PhD studies at, for example, the University of Maryland, the Jonkoping International Business School, the University of Bern, and the University of Lausanne. A 2024 survey among our graduates shows that 91% found a job less than three months after graduation. Data from a 2016 Swiss Federal Statistical Office survey reveals that 12 months after graduation, they have an average salary of CHF 75k annually.

Academic prizes

Henri Grandjean Prize for the best dissertation on an economic or social topic: CHF 500

Interdisciplinary Academic Prize for Sustainable Development: CHF 2'500

Admissions

The official starting date is September each year, but the programme can also be started in the spring semester (February). The deadline to apply for the spring semester (February intake) is 30 November, and the deadline to apply for the fall semester (September intake) is 30 April. Applications are reviewed year-round. On average, complete applications receive a response within four weeks. For more information, please consult our admission page.

Students with a degree in economics or business administration/management from Switzerland are directly admitted. Other applications are evaluated on a competitive basis. Students with less than 30 ECTS in economics and quantitative methods can be offered a pre-program with tailored bachelor-level courses to complement their academic background. 

We offer personalized pre-programs for students with bachelor's degrees in political science, international relations, other quantitative fields, and Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences. For more information, please get in touch so that we can evaluate your specific needs.

We recommend visa applicants apply at least six months before the beginning of classes.