MSc in Economics
Our programme is designed to provide a solid education and equip you with the tools needed by an economist to conduct economic research and analysis.
Overview
The MSc in Economics at the University of Barcelona (UB) is a high quality Master Programme intended to train and educate economists to undertake top research in one of the best places to study worldwide. This programme has been accredited with Excellence by the Universities Council which recognises outstanding achievements and performance. The programme has also achieved the Additional Dimension of Internationalisation with the maximum score of Quality-level Compliant.
The MSc in Economics at UB is the perfect programme for new graduated students to develop their research skills through a broad selection of courses entirely taught in English by our top researchers. Since this is a two-year Master, you will have the chance to get very solid methodological foundations and get specialized in some areas of interest at the same time.
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You may be interested in applying if you are looking for:
- Solid foundations to initiate independent research in economics.
- Advanced tools for the analysis and solution of complex economic problems.
- Stronger skills to assess and evaluate the effects of economic policies.
- Enhanced decision‑making, leadership, and teamwork skills.
- Improved academic writing and research communication abilities.
- A programme that prepares you to pursue PhD studies.
Requirements:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, or another discipline with strong mathematical foundations, such as Mathematics, Physics, or Engineering, and have obtained a satisfactory average grade.
- Proficiency in English: B2 level or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or its equivalent.
Key information
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
2 years (120 ECTS)
Start date
September
Location
Barcelona
Director
Mikel Álvarez-Mozos
All you need to know about
the programme
Programme overview
A structured programme combining core economic foundations, specialisation tracks, and supervised research.
Syllabus and outline
Check out the master’s programme structure, the list of courses, their syllabi, and the lecturers for the academic year 2025-2026.
Timetable and exams
Check the timetable for the courses and the exams calendar, as well as public holidays for the academic year 2025-2026.
Life at the University of Barcelona
We are an inspiring university, a place to study and enjoy unforgettable experiences.
UB Master's webpage
Learn more about the MSc in Economics programme at the University of Barcelona.
Graduate destinations
This programme is designed to train highly qualified researchers in economics, providing students with the analytical and methodological foundations needed to pursue successful research careers.
Our graduates go on to pursue research careers in leading international PhD programmes and to hold positions in prestigious public and private institutions. In recent years, our alumni have joined doctoral programmes at universities such as the University of Chicago, University of Arizona, Trinity College Dublin, HEC Lausanne, the University of Nottingham, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Uppsala University, the University of Luxembourg, and many others.
Outside academia, graduates have taken roles in organisations including the European Central Bank, OECD, Inter-American Development Bank, European Commission, CNMV, Bloomberg, Deloitte, Endesa, Nestlé, Repsol, and several ministries, consultancies and research centres worldwide.
These outcomes reflect the strong analytical preparation offered by the programme and the diverse career paths our graduates successfully pursue.
Career support
Students have access to a set of activities that support their academic and professional development, including practical workshops on job‑search skills, CV preparation, and professional communication, as well as employer‑led sessions with organisations from consulting, finance, and the public sector.
The programme also organises an annual PhD information session and career orientation talks with alumni, offering insights into research paths and job opportunities in academia, industry, and international institutions.
Fees and funding
Student’s fees for university master’s degrees are decreed on an annual basis by the Catalan government and the UB. Please find below the tuition fees for one year that correspond to the academic year 2025-2026:
EU/EEA + eligible
1,162.20 euros
Non‑EU/EEA
4,920 euros
- 1,162.20 euros (60 credits; 19,37 euros/credit) for nationals of EU Member States, of countries in the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein), or of Switzerland, Andorra, and China; or students holding a residence permit in Spain (permit type: Residencia). This exemption does not apply to students holding a Spanish residence permit for study purposes (stay permit for studies).
- 4,920 euros (60 credits; 82 euros/credit) for foreign students who are not nationals of EU Member States, countries in the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein), or Switzerland, Andorra, and China; or who hold a stay permit in Spain for study purposes.
Additional costs
Pre-sessional introductory courses:
- 58.11 euros (3 credits; 19,37 euros/credit) for nationals of EU Member States, of countries in the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein), or of Switzerland, Andorra, and China; or students holding a residence permit in Spain (permit type: Residencia). This exemption does not apply to students holding a Spanish residence permit for study purposes (stay permit for studies).
- 246 euros (3 credits; 82 euros/credit) for foreign students who are not nationals of EU Member States, countries in the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein), or Switzerland, Andorra, and China; or who hold a stay permit in Spain for study purposes.
In addition to the price per credit, the following service fees must be paid at the time of enrolment for each year:
- Management of the academic record: 69.80 euros
- Specific services and learning support: 70 euros
- Mandatory school insurance (only for students under 28 years old): 1.12 euros
Finally, there is a fee for the official transcript of grades (27.27 euros) and the diploma certificate (218.15 euros).
More information about the tuition fees, deductions and increases HERE.
Funding
- General Grants – Spanish/Catalan Government
- “Equitat” Grants – Catalan Government
- General internships – Universitat de Barcelona
You can find information at the University of Barcelona’s website.
Loans
- Erasmus+ Master Loan (loans for postgraduate studies)
- Banco Santander (loans for postgraduate studies)
- AGAUR – Generalitat de Catalunya (loans for tuition fees)
International experience
Second‑year students have the opportunity to complete part of their degree abroad. Current opportunities include exchange agreements with world‑class universities such as:
- Toulouse School of Economics (France)
- University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
- University of Göttingen (Germany)
- Aix-Marseille School of Economics (France)
- ENSAE (France)
- University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy)
- University of Bologna (Italy)
- Kyoto University (Japan)
Ready to apply?
Applications are open for the 2026-2027 academic year: from December 3, 2025, to June 8, 2026.
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Excellence
The University of Barcelona stands among the leading universities worldwide, consistently achieving top positions in major international rankings for teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and internationalisation. You can explore detailed subject rankings in economics and the social sciences. Key highlights:
- UB: Best university in Spain and 145th in the workd (THE World University Rankings)
- UBSE: Top 10% of economics departments worldwide (RePEc/IDEAs)
- MSc in Economics: Excellence Accreditation (AQU Catalunya)
- MSc in Economics: Highest distinction in Internationalisation (AQU Catalunya)
