Dian van Rooi_alumnus Economics

Program and courses Economics: Competition and Regulation track

Analyze causes of imperfect competition and identify rules and regulations that ensure fair competition while mitigating negative effects on productivity and technological change. Also considering the legal aspects, discussing the relevant legal concepts and laws.

Program structure

This one-year track of MSc Economics consists of 60 credits (ECTS):

  • 6 core courses (24 ECTS)
  • 4 elective courses (21 ECTS)
  • Master’s thesis (15 ECTS)

You can start at the end of August or at the end of January. However, the curriculum is primarily designed for the program to start at the end of August (Fall semester), as courses in the Fall semester lay groundwork for courses in the Spring semester. If you believe that you have sufficient knowledge to enter directly into the Spring semester, you are also welcome to start at the end of January.

Program content

Core courses

You will follow 6 core courses (24 ECTS )

Please note: the MSc Economics is a flexible program in which you are also free to specialize in another track or choose freely out of the courses belonging to the different tracks.

  • Methods: Python Programming for Economists
    The experience course Methods: Python Programming for Economists gives you the proper exposure to the practice of the economic analyst and culminates in thesis writing and/or project work.
  • Research Proposal
  • Methods: Econometrics 1
  • Methods: Game Theory 2
  • Seminar Data Science and Society
  • Seminar Competition Policy
Elective courses

Choose 4 elective courses  (21 ECTS in total) 

First choose 3 electives from the following courses (18 ECTS) (or 2 electives and one free elective):

  • Seminar Economics and Psychology of Social Norms and Strategic Behavior (recommended for this track)
  • Seminar Health Economics (recommended for this track)
  • Seminar Financial Markets and Institutions
  • Seminar Sustainable Economic Growth
  • Seminar Taxation
  • Seminar Economics and Psychology of Risk and Time
  • Seminar Data Science for Economics
  • Seminar Environmental and Resource Economics
  • Seminar Financial Economics
  • Seminar Labor Economics
  • Seminar Gender Economics (3 ECTS)
  • The Economics and Finance of Pensions

Choose 1 of the following methods courses (3 ECTS):

  • Methods: Game Theory 1 (recommended for this track)
  • Methods: Experiments and Surveys (recommended for this track)
  • Methods: Econometrics 2

Choose 1 free elective from another Master's program, or one more seminar course (6 ECTS):

  • For this track we recommend a course from Tilburg Law School, e.g. EU Competition Law.

Also choose this optional, but highly recommended course (0 ECTS):

  • Career Development Economics
Master's thesis

The Master’s thesis addresses in depth a well-defined economic research question, using theory and empirics, reviewing and contributing to existing literature.

Most students write their thesis in the Spring semester. In case you started the program at the end of January, you can write your thesis in the summer (and proceed with coursework in the next Fall semester) or write it in the Fall semester (potentially in line with some coursework).

Examples of thesis subjects are

  • The effects of Dark Net markets on the externalities of illegal drug trade
  • Media power and news consumption in the US: 2004 and 2012
  • Action for damages: the impact of leniency programs and the incentives to collude

Watch a trial lecture

You will find a detailed description of the courses and required literature in our course catalog.

Go to the course descriptions


Please note: programs are subject to change. We advise you to look up the current program in OSIRIS Student at the start of the year.


Do you want to know more about this Master’s program?

Find out more during one of our events

Check out our events calendar

Make the most of your Master's

In the first semester of the regular program, ambitious students can apply for the following additional advanced programs:

Extended Master's Program: traineeship (+0.5 years)

Short overview of the Extended Master's Program

During your traineeship, you work on practical assignments for a company, follow professional skills courses, and receive mentoring and guidance. By increasing your professional experience, skills, and network like this, you seriously boost your chances in the job market.

  • If selected, you will fulfill your traineeship from April to October. On average, you will work four days at the company, and attend skills training once a week at Tilburg University. In addition to this, company visits will be organized in the Extended Master's Program network.
  • If both you and the company are happy with the results, you are welcome to extend the traineeship by writing your Master's thesis at the company. Your research topic then needs to be approved by the Tilburg University thesis coordinator.
  • There are no administrative or participation fees for taking part in the Extended Master's Program. You will pay the regular tuition fees for the extra six months the Extended Master's Program takes.

Application and admission

You can apply for the Extended Master's Program once you've started the regular Master's program.

More on the Extended Master's Program

Entrepreneurial Literacy Initiative: online extracurricular program

Entrepreneurial Literacy Initiative (ELI) is an online extracurricular program that provides Master's students with tools to reflect and plan for an entrepreneurial career. Overall, ELI can be a very useful experience if you have entrepreneurship on your mind. —either right after graduation or later in your career! If you are unsure whether entrepreneurship fits you and your goals, ELI will help you find out.

Application and admission

All students enrolled in a Master's program at TiSEM are invited to apply.

More information about the Entrepreneurial Literacy Initiative

Short overview of the Competition and Regulation track

Analyze causes of imperfect competition and identify rules and regulations that ensure fair competition while mitigating negative effects on productivity and technological change. Also considering the legal aspects, discussing the relevant legal concepts and laws.

  • Tailored for a career at competition authorities, regulatory bodies, Ministries of Economic Affairs, large consultancy firms, specialized economic consultancies on competition and regulation, international organizations such as EU and OECD, and economic departments of large firms.
  • Great diversity in nationalities, with about 60% international fellow students.

Interested in the MSc Economics?

Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application