MSc/PhD in Economics (IDEA) - Barcelona

The IDEA Master of Research in Economics is a two-year academic program (120 ECTS) that provides you with a solid foundation in Economics and Finance, with a focus on rigorous analytical thinking and advanced quantitative and computational methods. You will also have the opportunity to specialise in a wide range of fields.

IDEA is taught by renowned economists and will prepare you for the most demanding careers in economics and finance. It is particularly suitable for students who plan to pursue a PhD. IDEA graduates are highly sought-after by employers in academia, the private sector, and government agencies. IDEA is a truly international program, with students and faculty from all over the globe.

If you are interested in specialising in International Finance and Banking, you can also apply to the IDEA-MIBF Double Degree Program. This programme allows you to combine the IDEA Master of Research in Economics with the Master of Science in International Banking and Finance (MIBF) from Lingnan University in Hong Kong. The MIBF curriculum provides internationally-focused training in the core areas of banking and finance and also covers related topics in accounting and regulation.

Faculty

Faculty members are internationally recognised researchers with an outstanding record of publications in top international journals. The diversity of our faculty has contributed to our program's success in training students in a wide range of fields of specialisation. Our students also benefit from the visits of prestigious international scholars who regularly teach and advise in our program.

Careers

Upon graduating, some students continue to a Ph.D., either in the IDEA Ph.D. Program or abroad, while others join the labour market. Graduates of the master's programme successfully take on high-quality occupations in finance companies, consultancy services, big-data companies, regulatory bodies, and research centres. The adequacy rate of job offers to studies is 100%. 

Some past placements

• Competition and Markets Authority (UK)
• Deloitte (Spain)
• Inter-American Development Bank (Washington DC)
• Morgan Stanley
• OECD (France)
• Office of Health Economics (UK)
• PhD Student IDEA
• PhD Student MIT
• PhD Student University of Minnesota

How to Apply

Admission to the IDEA Master's Program is based on academic excellence. Students with a university degree and a good mathematical background are encouraged to apply. Applications are evaluated continuously from November 15 until enrolment reaches capacity. Formally, admissions close on June 30. 

Applications must be submitted online. You will need to attach the following documents to your application (in PDF format):

1. Original transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. If your transcripts are not English, Spanish, or Catalan, you will need an official translation. You may also hand in documents written in French, Italian and Portuguese, but they will need to be translated for the official enrolment at the beginning of the academic year. You must also include transcripts of all your graduate work if applicable.
2. A statement of purpose (in English) describing your motivation to pursue a graduate degree in Economics. If you have a specific interest in a particular field of Economics, please describe it in your statement of purpose.
3. GRE and English proficiency test scores. Although these documents are not compulsory, we encourage you to include them with your application.
4. Once you have uploaded all the necessary documentation, two letters of recommendation will be automatically requested from your letter writers. Your letter writers will receive email instructions on how to upload the reference letter.

There is a non-refundable 60€ application fee.

Important: all admission offers are conditional on the original supporting documentation being submitted upon arrival.