Economics and Governance

Overview

This programme offers advanced knowledge and analytical tools on how to use data and statistics in doing analyses, which has become more and more important on today’s and tomorrow’s labour market. Moreover, our programme allows students to increase their economic reasoning skills and to critically evaluate various policy instruments.

This programme  aims to develop professionals who are able to analyse and address policy problems broadly, and in the field of social policy and market regulation specifically.  The focal point is on welfare states and markets. You learn about the role of government in creating, facilitating and controlling markets. You also examine the status of the current welfare state, such as the pension system, social security, and income distribution in society. You are provided a strong multidisciplinary preparation for a professional career in areas such as socio-economic policy- making or market regulation. The combination of applied economics and public governance forms a solid base for policy-makers, consultants and future leaders.

Reasons to choose Economics and Governance at Leiden University

• You will learn to produce solutions to current issues found where economics and public administration meet. You will analyse the ways in which social-economic policy and regulatory governance can be improved, and how to realise those improvements in dynamic and refractory settings, in which you will be confronted with politics and differing interests.

• You will combine theoretical knowledge with academic and professional skills, in doing so, preparing yourself for a career as a policy advisor, policy analyst, or consultant.

• You will be instructed by driven lecturers who are involved in high-level research within your subject and who are experienced with strategic policy advice in practice. 

•  As you will be examining international cases, performing comparative research and having discussions with your fellow students based on their international perspectives, you will develop a broad perspective on issues that involve economics and governance.

• You will be studying in the heart of The Hague - a bustling, cosmopolitan urban centre and the administrative heart of the Netherlands - amidst government ministries, international organisations and multi-nationals.