Finance versus economics. What’s the right choice? With our Master in Applied Economics and the Master in Finance, you’re choosing between two of our most popular programs.
Let’s break down the main differences between the two and explain the specific focus of each one.
Who is the Master in Applied Economics for?
The Master in Applied Economics is a diverse program. It offers a mixture of core courses, three elective specialist tracks (in public policy, economic analysis or consultancy and market regulation) and a final project. It’s a full-time, ten-month program taught in-person in Madrid.
This program is aimed at problem-solvers with a flair for numbers. Most students have a strong quantitative background and enjoy strategic planning. It attracts a broad variety of profiles from different fields like economics, business, the humanities and social sciences through to math, physics and engineering.
Where can a Master in Applied Economics take me?
The Master in Applied Economics can open the door to a number of different careers. If you choose the public policy track, you could find yourself pursuing a career as a policy analyst, public policy researcher or political advisor, perhaps in a large non-governmental organization (NGO) or in national government.
If you opt for the economic analysis track, you could pursue a career as an economic analyst, data analyst or quantitative analyst.
With the strategic consultancy specialization, your career options could include asset valuation, pricing strategies and damage assessment.
Who is the Master in Finance for?
The Master in Finance is a one-year, full-time program taught in Madrid. It’s a specialized program geared towards analytical thinkers, visionaries and ambitious future executives who are passionate about numbers and want to make a meaningful impact in the world of finance.
This program has four specializations. These are Investment Banking & Private Equity; Global Markets & Asset Management; Real Estate Finance & Alternative Investments, and Financial Analytics & Digital Finance. There are also elective modules, covering areas such as private equity, fintech and digital finance, derivatives and hedge funds.
Where can a Master in Finance take me?
Depending on the specialization that you choose, you could work in mergers and acquisitions, risk management, portfolio management, sustainable finance, venture capital, real estate and a whole host of other possibilities.
Alumni of the Master in Finance work in a variety of top companies, including some of the giants of the financial world, such as J.P. Morgan, PwC and Deloitte. Some have also used their entrepreneurship skills to found their own startups.
Finance versus economics: Which is right for me?
Both the Master in Applied Economics and the Master in Finance cover topics such as quantitative analysis and critical thinking. However, the scope of the Master in Applied Economics is broader, whereas the Master in Finance has a much more specialized approach and is industry-focused.
The Master in Applied Economics paves the way for careers in a number of different sectors and industries. Alongside financial topics, it covers policy and business concepts for careers in the corporate world, government and law.
In contrast, the Master in Finance has an emphasis on financial theory and application. It allows you to focus on subsectors of finance and advanced concepts for specialized areas of the finance industry.
For more in-depth information, check out the specific program pages for the Master in Applied Economics and the Master in Finance.
