Master’s in Economics

• Discovery Week 

1st Semester 

• Mandatory Courses 
• Elective Courses 
• Modules 
• Study Trips 
• Career Development Program - Mastering Your Career 
• Mentoring Program 
• Nova Economics Club, Regular and Brownbag Seminars, Networking Events, Business Forum, Conferences 
   

2nd Semester (30 ECTS) 

• Mandatory Course (macroeconomics or microeconomics) 
• Elective Courses 
• Modules 
• Study Trips 
• Nova Economics Club, Regular and Brownbag Seminars, Networking Events, Business Forum, Conferences 

• Work Project 
• Nova Economics Club, Regular and Brownbag Seminars, Networking Events, Business Forum, Conferences 

• Econometrics 
• Macroeconometrics OR Microeconometrics
• Macroeconomic Analysis 
• Microeconomic Analysis 

Sustainability 

Prepare yourself to lead the transition toward a sustainable future. This specialization explores the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development, combining theory and practice to address the challenges of climate change and responsible growth.
Taught in partnership with Nova School of Science and Technology (FCT), this area is common to the Master’s in Management and Economics.

International Development 

Gain the tools to shape policies that promote sustainable growth and social progress worldwide. This specialization prepares you to work in international organizations, public institutions, and NGOs, focusing on the design, evaluation, and implementation of development, trade, and migration policies.

Macroeconomics and Financial Markets 

Develop a deep understanding of global markets and the forces shaping financial systems and economic policy. This specialization prepares you for roles in central banks, government institutions, and financial organizations, where you’ll analyze trends, assess risks, and support strategic decision-making.

Public Policy 

Understand how policies shape societies and economies — and learn how to design and evaluate them effectively. This specialization prepares you for careers in government institutions, international organizations, consulting firms, and advocacy groups working at the intersection of economics, politics, and social impact.

Banking, Financial Regulation, and Supervision 

Gain the expertise to navigate the complex world of banking and financial oversight. This specialization prepares you for roles in financial institutions, central banks, and regulatory bodies, focusing on risk management, financial stability, and the supervision of global markets.

  
Please take note of the following: 
— Students can qualify for only one area of expertise; however, it isn’t mandatory for students to choose one.  
— Areas of Expertise and respective courses might be subject to change from one academic year to the next.  
— Some courses might not be offered every academic year.  
— Students may attend elective courses from other masters’ programs (up to 7 ECTS), subject to availability. 
— Each Area of Expertise has Core courses that you must complete, as well as a list of Elective Courses from which you can choose.  
— You need a total of 21 ECTS to obtain the Area of Expertise mentioned on the final MSc Certificate. 
— This information may be subject to changes. 

Discover some of the most popular electives:

• Behavioral Economics and Finance
• European Union: Governance and Crises
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Fintech Ventures
• Impact Investments
• Introduction to Programming
• Labor Economics
• Policy Evaluation

Explore the program brochure to learn more about all available options.
 

As part of the degree requirement, students must carry out a work project (thesis) in their final semester. There are three formats available: 

Field Lab 
Students focus on a specific theme or topic of more applied nature to propose solutions to solve an existing local real-world problem in a specific setting (group setting). 

Directed Research Internship 
Students carry out a problem-based issue to help address an identifiable problem in a company setting relevant to the course of study. 

Directed Research 
Students showcase their knowledge and expertise by investigating a research problem of scientific nature in a relevant area of interest.

Mastering Your Career (MYC) is a mandatory Master's graduation requirement, worth 2 ECTS. It offers a valuable opportunity to expand learning beyond the classroom and empowers students to make the most of their journey at Nova School of Business & Economics.

Grading is based upon the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), a grading scale developed to facilitate the understanding and comparison of grades, according to different national systems.  

We did the math for you, and the awarding of ECTS grades per curriculum component breaks down as follows: 

28 ECTS 
in Mandatory Courses  

28 ECTS 
in Elective Courses (minimum) 

2 ECTS 
in Mastering Your Career activities

2 ECTS 
in Modules 

30 ECTS
in the Work Project 

90 ECTS in total to graduate 
You need a minimum of 90 ECTS to complete your Master’s, but if you need 120 ECTS to proceed with your studies, you can extend your Master’s by one semester with electives (30 ECTS).