Specific competences:
a) a sufficient knowledge of economics (at the level of an Initial Master);
b) a sufficiently strong quantitative (i.e. mathematical and statistical) background.

General competences:
a) analytical skills;
b) communicative abilities (both oral and written).

Attitudes:
a) a keen interest in recent scientific developments;
b) interest in broader social developments and in policy questions;
c) a belief in the usefulness of applying advanced scientific techniques for the analysis of concrete problems;
d) a critical attitude and the ability to work in (small) groups.

 

PRIOR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

*   Students with a K.U.Leuven Master's degree of Economics (Major Research) awarded with distinction (cum laude) by the Faculty of Business and Economics of K.U.Leuven, have immediate access to the programme.
Students who do not have distinction can apply for admission. The Admissions Board decides on the admissibility.

*   Other applicants: should hold a diploma from either of the following two classes:
   o   a university Master's degree in Economics, Business Economics or Business Engineering awarded by the Faculty of Business and Economics at K.U.Leuven K.U.Leuven or comparable to a Master's degree in Economics, Applied Economics or Business Engineering from the Faculty of Business and Economics at K.U.Leuven
   o   another university degree requiring at least four years of study with a solid background in mathematics and statistics (for example, a university Master's degree obtained at the Faculty of Engineering or at the Faculty of Bioscience engineering) and with a strong interest in economics
Admissibility is evaluated by the Admissions Board on the basis of information provided by the applicant, including certified copies of diploma and transcripts etc (see below). Academic performance should be above average (e.g. applicants should have obtained distinction).

 PROOF OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH

Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
*   Applicants with a K.U.Leuven degree: Applicants that already successfully completed an English-taught programme at K.U.Leuven, do not have to take an English proficiency test.
*   Applicants with a university degree earned in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the USA: the certified diploma and transcripts suffice, provided they confirm that the entire university study was completed in English. Absolutely no other diplomas will be accepted as evidence even if the applicant has followed an exclusively English-taught programme.
*   Other applicants should submit a satisfactory score on an internationally recognized test of English language proficiency: TOEFL (minimum score 575 paper-based, 233 computer-based, 90 internet-based) or IELTS (minimum score 7). No other proficiency tests will be accepted, and absolutely no application will be considered without such a test certificate.

 ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS

Next to certified copies of diplomas and transcripts, all applicants must provide
*   a GRE-score. A GRE-test result above the 90th percentile on the quantitative part (or on average) normally entails immediate admission, provided all other requirements are met as well, but this is not an absolute minimum.
"   two recommendation forms, downloadable here, filled out and signed, and mailed in a closed envelope signed over the lid by the referee to the Faculty of Business and Economics. Forms not provided in a closed envelope signed across the lid by the referee will be regarded as void. The recommendation forms can also be mailed directly by the referee to fbe@econ.kuleuven.be.
*   a letter of motivation written and signed by the applicant, explaining the choice for Leuven and for this particular programme

The Admissions Board evaluates all applications and has the final say on the admissibility of the student, taking into account the relevant information.

 

Figure

 

Representative path

 

Figure