Labour Economics

Introduction

The interuniversity master's degree in Labour Economics aims to respond to the growing demand for analysts and researchers who have a solid understanding of theories, methods and quantitative tools for studying the different aspects of the labour market (supply, demand, setting of wages and unemployment rate) as well as understanding the design of economic and social policies aimed at improving the well-being of society and studying their impacts with a view to enhancing their functioning.
This new master's programme offers theoretical training and quantitative tools for studying labour markets, understanding their dynamics, and analysing policies that affect their function. The master's degree in Labour Economics is the fruit of a collaboration between the University of Barcelona, the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the University of Girona and is the ideal programme for anyone interested in training as a specialist in labour market analysis. The lecturers involved in teaching the master's degree are internationally renowned researchers who will bring you closer to the frontier of research and the practice of applied labour market analysis. The master's degree in Labour Economics is intended for graduates in economics or related disciplines, and is taught entirely in English, as it has a markedly international focus. This master's degree is a good starting point for careers in local and international public and private institutions that analyse phenomena related to labour markets, as well as in the human resources departments of large multinational companies. It is also a potential pathway to doctoral studies and a career in research.

Learning objectives

The general objective of the master's degree in Labour Economics is to provide professional and research training in the applied economic analysis of labour markets. The globalization process alongside technological change and demographic evolution, in both Western and emerging economies, is producing unprecedented changes in the functioning of labour markets. The social changes that are taking place in parallel with this – such as an increasing focus on gender equality and the fight against discrimination – are also entwined with the functioning of labour markets. There is, therefore, a growing need across different fields and disciplines for specialized professionals who understand the factors in the ongoing evolution of labour markets, such as the impact of these transformations on unemployment, activity, migrations, income inequality and gender and other forms of discrimination, and who can identify the most suitable public policy channels for addressing new challenges (for example, educational reform). This applies both to the private sector (organization of production and human resources) and the public sector (phenomena that influence transformations, speed and impact of changes, policies implemented and anticipated effects, and policies that need to be designed and implemented). In each of these areas, therefore, there is demand for professionals with the training to understand, interpret and manage these phenomena.