Applied Economics and Sustainability

Applied Economics and Sustainability

Master of science (2 year) Full time

Study at one of Norway’s leading schools of economics. NMBU offers an applied and policy relevant degree in economics and sustainability, guided by an internationally oriented faculty.

Apply here Study structure
Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Economics or similar

Application deadline:

April 15th
International applicants:
December 1st

Number of students
25
Study start
Autumn 2023
See more
Study advisor(s)
Contact study advisors
Send e-mail
Contact info

Student Information Centre
sit@nmbu.no, +4767230111

The Faculty: +4767230111

Educational Quality

Application deadline for Norwegian, Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: 15th of April. 

Application deadline for students outside EU/EEA: 1st of December.

The master programme in applied economics and sustainability is set to prepare you for life as an economist, emphasising relevance for the workplace, public life and society, and the role of sustainability.

Responsible faculty is internationally renowned in their fields, but also are engaged in national and international policy development.

The fields of expertise spans from environmental, energy and climate economics, development economics, public economics and housing economics, to financial and commodity market analysis.

Structure
The programme consists of a set of mandatory courses, a set of optional courses and a master thesis. These sum up to 55, 35 and 30 ECTS points respectively. The mandatory courses cover core microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, empirical methods, and public economics and sustainability. The optional courses can be chosen freely, or you can choose a specialization among:

The specific structure and requirements within each specialization is detailed if you follow the link. For those choosing their optional courses freely, they must achieve at least 25 ECTS points from master courses (300-level) in Economics or Business. The remaining 15 ECTS can be from any intermediate or master courses (200-level or higher) in the School of Economics and Business or from any introductory course (100-level) from another NMBU institute.

Courses at the School of Economics and Business (English)

Courses at NMBU (English)

Full overview of programme structure

Job opportunities

Economists have specialized knowledge on how the economy influences societies and the well-being of inhabitants. This makes economists well suited to work on issues in environmental policy, energy systems, development aid, enterprise development, trade policy and general economic policy. Economists are therefore in high demand in the private and public sectors as well as by many non-governmental organizations.

Meet former students

Learning outcomes

NMBU School of Economics and Business will give you skills in economic analysis and broad insights on how economies work. You get extensive training in economic theory and analysis, in accordance with national and international standards. In many of the more advanced courses, class sizes are small, allowing for more problem-oriented learning approaches where in-class discussion is central to the learning process.

Some examples of topics analysed in the programme:

  • How to integrate environmental effects in economic analysis of ecosystem management, air and water pollution, and climate change.
  • How to combine economic growth and environmental protection - both at the firm level and at the national level.
  • How to design and implement international treaties, for example on climate issues.
  • How to reduce poverty and manage natural resources to increase human well-being without compromising resources or the environment.
  • How to organize energy markets to avoid monopolies and market manipulation.
  • How to analyze consequences of international trade agreements; and
  • How to explain why food, energy and other commodity prices are so volatile.

Admission requirements

Application deadline for Norwegian, Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: 15th of April. 

Application deadline for students outside EU/EEA: 1st of December.

Applicants must demonstrate English language ability in accordance with the NMBU regulations for programmes taught in English.

Applicants with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics or other relevant fields. The degree should include courses in mathematics and statistics and intermediate level courses in micro- and macroeconomics. A weighted average grade of C or better is required for admission to the programme.

Detailed information about admission requirements can be found here: Admission requirements | NMBU.

- A study in economics will first and foremost give you a framework for how the world works. I believe this is useful no matter where you work.

Helene Lillekvelland, Norwegian Agricultural Co-operatives

Study structure

Content

Each specialization has a set of required core courses that can be supplemented with electives from organizational sciences and business management.

Alternatively, you can choose a general program with a more interdisciplinary profile, by selecting electives from other faculties at NMBU such as in natural sciences, technology or other social sciences to tailor your education to your special interests.

The completion of the degree culminates with the submission of a thesis and the successful oral defense of the work.


Full overview of programme structure

Admission requirements

 

Study content

Social relevance:

Modern economies are characterized by complexity, interconnectedness, and the exposure to rapid changes, which can originate domestically or internationally. Decision- and policymakers in both the private and public sectors require an ever-greater information and data base to assist them in responding to the challenges and opportunities that confront them. The theoretical and methodological foundation of an economist equips them to address real-world problems. The master’s program in Applied Economics and Sustainability provides comprehensive training in economic theory and quantitative analysis, and exposes the student to topics in sustainability, approaches, and methods that enable them to conduct economic and/or market analysis at the macroeconomic, sectoral and the firm or household level. The program also qualifies candidates for further studies at the doctoral level.

Learning outcomes:

Learning outcomes

A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes:

An economic mindset:

  • Has advanced theoretical foundation in economics, particularly in producer and consumer behaviour, market structure and analysis, and uncertainty;
  • Has the aptitude to consult independently the economics literature to apply theory and reasoning when conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis to understand causal relationships, correlations, and the link between theory and empirical results;
  • Is able to assemble economic datasets to analyse and interpret trends to present to management and colleagues;
  • Has in-depth knowledge and understanding of methods of analysis among survey design and econometric modelling to analyse economic data, with the proficiency to interpret and report results and communicate insights, through written and oral presentation, to specialists in the field, decision makers in business, policy makers in government and to society at large.

Equipped to address real-world problems with sustainability as a guiding principle:

  • Can identify contemporary problems to formulate researchable questions by which to analyse microeconomic behaviour of individual agents and markets, and macroeconomic phenomena;
  • Is able to formulate researchable questions that links understanding of economy theory with its relevance for natural and environmental sciences, other social science, development studies, finance and commodity market analysis, or food and agricultural sciences; and
  • Has an acute awareness of how economic sustainability involves understanding trade-offs and opportunity costs in production, consumption, resource use and the government’s role in defining societal targets.

Social skills that prepare graduate to work collegially with consciousness and integrity:

  • Can conduct economic analysis in accordance with ethical guidelines for research, understanding the limitations of their data, and the constraints of their modelling construct and underlying assumptions; and
  • Can work independently, or with direct responsibility to a diverse multicultural team, through their ability to organize, plan and conduct their assigned tasks within a given deadline.

Contents and structure:

The master’s degree consists of 120 ECTS, including a 30 ECTS master’s thesis. The compulsory courses amount to 55 ECTS and include: mathematics for economists; economic theory (micro and macroeconomics); quantitative analysis (data analysis, econometrics; and impact assessment); taxes, inequality and sustainability; economics of sustainability; and research methods. The specializations include core courses and electives that complete the student’s academic profile. A general studies option provides flexibility for students to tailor their own program, taking economics or business across specializations and pursing interdisciplinary studies by taking courses offered in other faculties.

Learning activities:

The coursework involves a combination of lectures, seminars, and independent or group work on exercises. There is considerable use of independent study and semester assignments such as case studies, papers or semester projects requiring presentation and/or a final defense. Teaching is based on traditional theories, up-to-date research and issues of current interest. Academic discussions make up an important part of the learning experience. The master’s thesis is a student-driven research task on a problem selected by the student, carried out under faculty supervision with regular feedback and guidance. After submission of the written thesis, the student must present and orally defend the work.

Evaluation:

Students are assessed throughout the learning process (assignments requiring discussions and feedback and oral presentations) and by final oral and written examinations. The ability to structure complex problems and a scientific approach to problem solving are important assessment criteria.

Admission requirements:

Applicants with a Bachelor degree in economics or other relevant fields. The degree should include courses in mathematics and statistics and intermediate level courses in micro- and macroeconomics.

All the grades from the bachelor degree will be counted in the average grade. A weighted average grade of C or better is required for admission to the programme.

Applicants must demonstrate English language ability in accordance with the NMBU regulations for programmes taught in English: Language requirements for programmes taught in English at NMBU | NMBU

Cooperation with other institutions:

NMBU School of Economics and Business is a member of the National University Board for Economics and cooperates with other Norwegian universities.

Arrangements, incoming exchange students:

We highly welcome incoming guest students and will do our best to adapt our courses to facilitate student exchange.