Advanced Master in Political Economy
Who is the programme aimed at?
Profile
This program seeks Master students or junior professionals with a degree in economics, political science or statistics (but also in other disciplines - such as maths, management or finance), with strong academic background, the intellectual curiosity and discipline that are necessary to succeed in a very demanding environment and willing to take up global political and economic challenges.
Key admissions criteria
Eligibility criteria- Bachelor or Master or equivalent: 4 or 5 years of study overall
- Proficiency in English is a must
Your benefits
By the end of this Advanced Master, you will be able to gain a firm understanding of the incentives and behavior of economic (consumers, firms) and political agents (legislatures, government agencies, judicial institutions, NGOs, activist groups, the media), explore the technological and political constraints that shape government interventions, cultivate a deep understanding of the reciprocal relationship between politics and markets and design better government regulations by the investigation of corporate stakeholders and their motivations.
The Brussels-Washington joint degree in Political Economy is an innovative one-year program combining the strengths of two internationally-renowned institutions. Learn from expert decision-makers in Europe and North-America and explore the specificities and differences between the approaches taken on each continent, their impact in various geopolitically crucial regions around the world and the complex relationships with other actors within this global governance architecture.
Every year, we organise for the students of the Advanced Master in Political Economy on-site meetings that guide students through the inner-workings of international institutions, both in Europe and the US, such as at the European Commission, the World Bank, the OECD, the IMF and various think tanks.
Develop strong new competencies and acquire a toolbox which will help you rigorously analyze both the economics and the politics behind the key policy questions of the 21st century. Develop your soft skills and become more prepared and self-confident to face recruiters.
Our career service will help you in building your career thanks to our strong connection with the business sector and to our dynamic team who will accompany you into the professional world. From self-assessment to networking opportunities, our team assists you to realise their full potential. Through a wide range of seminars, coaching sessions, workshops, events and other resources, we help you to discover the career path best suited to your personal fulfilment.
85% of our students find a job within 3 months after graduation!
Experience our teaching methods which are very hands-on and participant-centred. Courses are mainly structured into real case studies, assignments, essays, simulations, company visits and on-the-job learning.
The faculty comprises Solvay, Georgetown and ULB professors bringing in their theoretical insight and the latest research expertise from their respective fields, as well as top-level practitioners and regulators shaping the evolution of economic policies around the world, driven by a real passion for education bringing in their practical insight and on-the-field experience. Top-of-the-line guests are also invited for additional workshops or sessions.
- Prof. George Akerlof, Georgetown University https://
gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/ contact/00336000014Su4DAAS/ george-akerlof - Prof. Laurent Bouton, Georgetown University https://sites.
google.com/site/boutonllj - Prof. Adriana Kugler, Georgetown University https://
gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/ contact/00336000014RkLPAA0/ adriana-kugler - Prof. Abraham Newman, Georgetown University https://
gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/ contact/00336000014RcmSAAS/ abraham-newman - Prof. Martin Ravallion, Georgetown University https://
gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/ contact/00336000014Th24AAC/ martin-ravallion - Ms. Shéhérazade Semsar-de Boisséson, CEO, Politico-Europe https://www.
politico.eu/staff/sheherazade- semsar-de-boisseson
Classes are limited to small cohorts (max 30 students), ensuring maximum participation and easy access to the faculty and the advanced masters academic or administration team.
Diversity in class in terms of gender, academic background and culture enhances your student experience. Benefit from an international experience at the heart of global policy-making decision powers, with full immersion in both Washington DC, host of all US institutions and Brussels, capital of Europe and host of all European institutions.
Diversity in class in terms of gender, academic background and culture enhances your student experience. Benefit from an international experience at the heart of global policy-making decision powers, with full immersion in both Washington DC, host of all US institutions and Brussels, capital of Europe and host of all European institutions.
Overview of the programme
The Advanced Master in Political Economy aims at providing you the knowledge and the skills needed to evaluate and address global and local economic challenges, which require a solid understanding of the institutions and political settings in which they arise.
Curriculum
1 GETTING STARTED in BRUSSELS
August
- Math Bootcamp
2 FALL TERM in BRUSSELS
September - December
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Political Economy
- Data analysis
3 SPRING TERM in BRUSSELS
January – April
Select 3 electives:
- International trade and EU trade policy
- Impact Evaluation
- Industrial and development policies: EU, US, and beyond
- Policy workshop: competition policy in the single market
4 SUMMER TERM in WASHINGTON DC
May – August
Select 3 electives:
- Time series analysis
- Public economics
- Environmental economics
- Energy economics
- Law and economics
- Monetary theory and policy
- Development economics
- Open-economy macroeconomics
- Labor market institutions and policies
- Urban economics
More programme features
ADMISSION PROCEDURE:
1- Complete and submit the online application form together with the required documents.
2- Receive feedback from the Academic Committee.
3- Have a personal interview with the Academic Director.
4- Receive feedback on your admission. If positive, please note that you will have two weeks to finalize your registration by paying a deposit of $2000.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICATION:
- Online application form (different steps)
- Non-refundable application fee ($90)
- Academic statement of purpose (max. 500 words)
- Two Letters of Recommendation (one must be from an academic)
- GRE exam (GMAT not acceptable)
- Resume/CV in English
- Official Transcripts (all prior institutions)
- Minimum GPA 3.0 on 4.0 (U.S.) scale where available.
- TOEFL score of at least 100 IELTS score (7.0) is also acceptable. The test is waived if a previous degree has been obtained at an English-speaking university.
Participants.
The program taught me a new way to think about the intersection of public policy and economics. It forced me to dive deeper into the intersection of the two and changed my understanding of how, and often times why, certain policy decisions are made. It was an all-around amazing experience and has helped me excel in my career.
I wouldn’t have been able to obtain this job without this Master. Of course, the data analysis skills and understanding of micro/macroeconomics are directly relevant to my position. But perhaps more importantly, I think the uniqueness of this degree really set me apart as an applicant.
In studying a diverse curriculum taught by numerous brilliant professors from two world-class institutions, I had the opportunity to study under a number of circumstances. By gaining such a wide range of experiences in just twelve months, I am now more adaptable to different environments.
We learned from a variety of professors from top-level economists at the Fed and ECB to game theorists and political economists that are widely published and respected within the field. [...] Getting a different perspective from European professors combined with a US experience was key! This program takes the added step of giving students an understanding of outside forces that clean economic models ignore. I am now able to apply both a global perspective and an analytical approach that combines economic theory with real-world reality. If I had to describe my experience in one sentence: 'A learning opportunity both inside and outside the classroom that provided a unique and rewarding experience.'
Lecturers
John Rogers
Senior Adviser in the International Finance Division of the Federal Reserve Board
Lecturer
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this master, you can look forward to job opportunities with a faster advancement potential in a broad range of institutions and companies, including:
- International institutions (EC, WTO, World Bank, IMF, OECD, NATO, ETC.)
- Multinational enterprises (lobbying and consulting firms, investment banks)
- Governmental institutions (regulatory agencies, central banks, foreign affairs)
- Global NGOs & Think Tanks
- Higher Education (through PHD programs)
Any questions?
- Merit-Based Mobility Scholarships for EU students: EU candidates applying before April 16th, 2019 can apply for one of two 2 mobility scholarships, worth 10.000$ each.
- Instalments option for the tuition fees available. Contact us for more info.
- 15 Postgrad Solutions study bursaries across a number of subject areas. Click here to apply.
Upon successfully completing the program, each student will receive::
- a "Masters of Arts in Political Economics" from Georgetown University
- an "Advanced Master in Political Economy" university certificate delivered by Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management - Université libre de Bruxelles
which will bepresented side by side. Both documents will reference both degrees and will include the name of the other institution.
Find out what our alumni think of the Solvay Advanced Master in Political Economy.
Testimonials >>