Master's Degree in Specialized Economic Analysis: Economics of Public Policy Program

Program Director

portrait of Lídia Farré

Lídia Farré

PhD, European University Institute

IAE-CSIC and BSE

Scientific Director

faculty

Joan Llull

PhD, CEMFI

IAE-CSIC and BSE

The Master's program in Economics of Public Policy provides students with the theoretical and empirical fundamentals to answer questions that impact entire populations.


How and why do particular public policies get implemented? How are they designed? How do we know if they work? Why are some policies more successful than others?

Finance and planning at the national level involve big numbers: pensions, health systems, income support, social programs, and so forth. Having successful public policies can make all the difference for the lives of millions of individuals, with numbers and effects becoming much larger for developed countries and faster growing in developing ones.

Students will be trained in commanding advanced empirical public policy evaluation tools, and will be ready to use these tools in practice.

Students will familiarize themselves with the views of experts from fields other than Economics in order to build an appreciation for the multidisciplinary nature of public policy design and evaluation. A master's advisor will guide each student in completing an independent master's project by the end of the program, allowing specialization in a policy topic of the student's choice.

Our graduates will be prepared to take on analytical positions at public institutions, international organizations, consulting firms, research institutions, and think tanks.

Graduates will also be well-prepared to pursue advanced post-graduate study of Policy or Economics.

Program Structure

This Master’s program is part of Economic Policy and Markets. This means you will be able to choose from different courses that are also available in the Competition, Regulation, and Markets Program and the Economics of Energy, Climate Change, and Sustainability Program. These three programs share the same fundamental basic courses that will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of how economic policy and markets work. At the same time, each program provides its own specialization courses that will make you an expert in one of the specific fields.

Program schedule: 

The course offer displayed is for next year's edition. Course offer is subject to change.

Course list for current students

 

Master project

The master project is a required component of all BSE Master's programs. Working individually or in groups, students use the tools and knowledge they've acquired during the entire year to explore a topic of their choice. A professor supervises throughout the project.

Examples of master projects from recent Economics of Public Policy cohorts

Select a project to view a summary on the BSE Voice, our student and alumni blog:

Recent cohorts

Class of 2023

Class of 2022

Class of 2021

Previous years

Master's degree awarded

Upon successful completion of the BSE Economics of Public Policy Program, students will receive a Master's Degree in Specialized Economics Analysis awarded jointly with Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF).

All Barcelona School of Economics Master's degrees have been recognized by the Catalan and Spanish Education authorities within the framework of the Bologna Process (in Spanish, “Master Universitario o Master Oficial”).


What skills and knowledge will I acquire in this program?
  • Confidence in examining and discussion of Economic theory behind the design and evaluation of public policies
  • Applied analysis in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Information Economics, Game Theory, and Political Economy
  • Command of state-of-the-art empirical tools to evaluate policies and impacts
  • Expert knowledge of institutional framework contexts where public policies are designed and implemented
  • Ability to communicate in written technical and non-technical policy reports based on multidisciplinary approaches
Who will benefit from this program?
  • Students with Business Administration, Economics, International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, or Statistical backgrounds
  • Junior analysts or professionals from the workforce looking to upgrade their analytical skills
  • Aspiring PhD students who want to build a solid foundation

Student profile in more detail

Who hires Economics of Public Policy graduates?
  • Consulting Firms
  • Financial Services
  • Government & Authorities
  • International Organizations / Non-profits
  • Research & Academic Institutions
  • Other Industries

Examples of recent placements:

  • AIREF - Research Assistant (Madrid, Spain)
  • Alma Economics - Economist (London, United Kingdom)
  • Banco Sabadell - Research Assistant (Barcelona, Spain)
  • Center for Economic Inclusion - Analyst (Minneapolis, MN, United States)
  • CEPA - Junior Consultant (London, United Kingdom)
  • Fitch Rating - Senior Analyst (Sao Paulo, Brazil )
  • IABD - Inter-American Development Bank - Consultant (Washington, DC, United States)
  • Ministry of Finance Costa Rica - Senior Economist (San Jose, Costa Rica)
  • NTT Data - Business Consultant - Public Sector&Health (Barcelona, Spain)
  • OECD - Intern (Paris, France)
  • University of Zurich - Predoctoral Fellow (Zurich, Switzerland)

Alumni career paths in more detail

Can I enter another BSE Master's directly from this program?

Students who successfully complete the Economics of Public Policy Program are eligible for direct admission to the following programs, if they stay for a second consecutive year:

Master’s Degree in Data Science:

OR

Master’s Degree in Economics and Finance:

A 20% discount will be applied on the second program's tuition fees. All BSE Alumni are eligible for this discount at any time.

Read more about taking a second BSE Master’s degree

Faculty

Students

Economics of Public Policy Student Profile 2023-24

15 students from 11 countries (93% international)

Most represented countries this year:

  • Australia, Colombia, Peru, United States (2 students each)

Most common academic backgrounds:

  • Economics
Chart displays years of work experience for BSE Economics of Public Policy Students

Alumni

EPP alumni career paths

An overview of EPP career paths for recent cohorts (Class of 2021, 2022, 2023)

  • Most EPP alumni (92%) enter or return to the professional work force
    8% continue their education in a PhD or other post-graduate program
  • Most common industries:
    Government and Authorities, International Organizations and Non-profit, Research and Academic Institutions
  • Cities with the most Public Policy alumni:
    Barcelona, MadridLondon, Paris, Zurich 
     
Economics of Public Policy Alumni by Industry
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    alumni

    Agrima Sahore '19

    Consultant
    Originally fromIndia
    Currently living inIndia
    The Master's is a wholesome experience, teaching you more than just what's part of the course work. Barcelona is also a wonderful city to live in, and the coming together of people from all parts of the world is truly amazing! The faculty is top notch, approachable and great with students!
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    marie_thylen_barcelonagse_alumni

    Marie Thylén '19

    Senior Policy Analyst
    Originally fromSweden
    Currently living inGambia
    Considering that this program is very specialized combining public policy and economics so clearly, it does give you a unique profile. The Master’s definitely helped me to get my current job and prepared me well for my tasks, which are reviewing all the policies and base them on evidence and analysis, which are also the core of the Economics of Public Policy program of the BSE
  • universidad_peruana_ciencias_aplicadas
    cesar_mora_barcelonagse_alumni

    Cesar Mora '19

    Micreconomics and econometrics lecturer
    Originally fromPeru
    Currently living inPeru
    It was such a valuable experience not only for the professional part but also for my personal growth. I met a lot of talented students from around the world with different perspectives. I also learned a lot from them.
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    alumni

    Benjamin Anderson '15

    Data Strategist
    Originally from
    Asheville, NC
    United States
    Currently living in
    Durham, NC
    United States
    The expertise in quantitative methods and economics of public policy knowledge that I gained at BSE is essential to help bridge the communication and information gap between empirical evidence and the decision-making of practitioners. These skills enable me to develop strategies and draw conclusions with confidence when consulting with partners.
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    alumni

    Hyosung Jung '15

    Research Associate
    Originally from
    Ottawa, ON
    Canada
    Currently living in
    Boston, MA
    United States
    The BSE connected me with experts in my area of interest. Through these connections I was able to get in touch with some very interesting data for my research project later on in the program.
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    alumni

    Yi-Ting Kuo '15

    Data Administrator
    Originally fromTaiwan
    Currently living in
    Brussels
    Belgium
    Thanks to the rigorous training at the Barcelona School of Economics, my approach to data administration is meticulous and analytical.
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    alumni

    Rebecca Lavinson '14

    Policy Associate
    Originally from
    Princeton, NJ
    United States
    Currently living in
    Washington, DC
    United States
    The BSE gave me the start I needed to pursue the work that I am passionate about. It provided me with the skills necessary to succeed at my first job at the OECD, and doing my Master’s in such an international environment was a good signal for employers that I could adjust to any type of work environment.
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    alumni

    Aleka Pappa '14

    Junior Research Fellow / Think Tank Young Professional Development Program
    Originally from
    Tirana
    Albania
    Currently living in
    Tirana
    Albania
    The master program in Economics of Public Policy has been a great asset to me with its distinctive combination of a solid foundation in economic theory with the applied aspect – all accompanied by the teaching of world-class professors.
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    alumni

    Vanessa Behrens '13

    Economics and Statistical Analysis
    Originally from
    Cologne
    Germany
    Currently living in
    Geneva
    Switzerland
    The ability to interpret scientific research papers has helped me grasp the economics of innovation and firm behavior in the context of intellectual property. The state-of-the-art econometric techniques and focus on policy issues will prove to be particularly useful when I am undertaking applied research in the near future.
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    Sam Juthani '13

    Economist
    Originally from
    London
    United Kingdom
    Currently living in
    Oxfordshire
    United Kingdom
    Having a tool-set that allows you to think clearly and logically through a position, and the potential pitfalls, is invaluable, and these were continually reinforced with each class that I took in the Economics of Public Policy master's program.