MSc in Economics and Business Administration - Applied Economics and Finance

You will understand the economic incentives that drive the company and learn the tools of finance and econometrics for financial decision making. With these skills you can provide analytical insights that enable the company to best profit from and position itself in the surrounding international and economic environment.

Economic environment

Understanding the firm in its global and economic environments is an important part of this concentration. You will learn how to analyse and influence these environments to optimise internal company structures, to identify financial opportunities for the company, or to manage problems of governance, such as modifying conflicts of interest between stakeholders. Through a deep understanding of the economic incentives that drive the company, you will know how best to position it in different markets with different levels of competition. Through this, you will learn to give recommendations on how this should influence decisions on pricing strategy, the attractiveness of a merger, or the level of aggressiveness in market competition. You will also  work on solving and preventing incentive problems created by  these decisions among  or between different stakeholders and company management.  

Financial analysis

Through knowledge of financial markets, you will be able to influence the company’s competitive situation or protect it from the risk connected with uncertainties in the market. For instance, by arranging to buy at a fixed price over several years to protect the company from the risk of future increases in the price.

You will also come to understand how theories and models in finance and financial instruments can be applied to make investment decisions. For instance, how to minimise the risk when selecting a portfolio of investments, or evaluate the influence certain investments will have on the internal financial relations of thecompany. By combining this with insight into the pricing of financial instruments, such as stocks or options, and the raising and allocation of capital, you will be able to create a solid financial foundation for the company’s endeavours.

Quantitative analytical tools

The ability  to analyse financial and economic data is important for almost any type of corporate decision.

Through the theories and models of econometrics you will learn not only how to manage data and perform a statistical analysis, but also more importantly how to interpret the outcome and be critical of the methods used and conclusions drawn by others. Acquiring these skills will for instance allow you to identify potential financial problems and suggest the proper solution. You will also be able to construct and test hypotheses, and on that background analyse likely outcomes of making an investment, entering a new market, or selling off part of the company . In doing so, you will provide the company with valuable information for decision making.