International and Monetary Economics

Overview

In the field of academic activities described above, the skills to be acquired are clearly outlined. Graduates of the International and Monetary Economics Master’s program at the University of Basel should:

• understand the role of central banks and banking supervision for macroeconomic stability; in particular, with regard to the system’s international embedding;
• understand the role that central banks, banking supervisory and regulatory bodies, as well as private investors (commercial banks, institutional investors etc.) play in the international financial markets;
• have gained the competence to prepare or assess monetary policy decisions based on optimal academic criteria;
• be acquainted with the historical background of international economic developments;
• know the approaches to monetary policy and financial market regulation;
• be equipped to reflect and comment on policy discussions and issues in this context.

The MIME program is not to be seen as competing with the standard master’s program in economics, which both participating universities (Basel and Bern) will continue to offer. It should rather be seen as a supplement for students who, subsequent to obtaining their bachelor’s degree, wish to specialize in the fields mentioned above and gain greater knowledge of quantitative aspects and who, perhaps, envisage doing a doctorate. To get admitted to this master program, it is essential to provide deep and profound knowledge in economics (bachelor with a major in economics) and quantitative methods.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this International and Monetary Economics Master’s program at the University of Basel would typically seek a professional career opening in the following areas: Macroeconomic analysis with reserve banks and commercial banks, Public authorities (e.g. finance or tax administrations), Financial markets supervisory bodies, Media communications, Expert groups of political governing boards or international organizations, Academia.