Master
Tinbergen Institute Research Master in Economics
★ StudyPath verdict
8.5/10
Best for aspiring economics researchers pursuing PhD or academic careers; highly selective joint programme with rigorous quantitative training across three top universities.
Tuition · Intl
↗?
intl not published · EU: €2,694 ↗
Duration
2 years
120 ECTS
Start
Sep 26
apply by May 26
Language
English
IELTS 7+
Accred.
NVAO
NVAO 2025
Admission
Open
no intake cap
Enrolled/yr
↗52
DUO ↑8% ↗
Intl. %
?
no data yet
S:F ratio
↗34:1
institution-wide ↗
Min. English
7
IELTS required
Entry route
↗Bachelor
degree required ↗
Satisfaction
↗3.3/5
NSE 2026 ↗
Employment
↗92%
field est. ↗
Median salary
↗€3,457
/mo gross · field ↗
Alumni
?
no data yet
↗ Real values are sourced; tiles marked “?” aren’t collected yet · Enrolled/yr is live from DUO · Satisfaction/outcomes are live from StudiekeuzedatabaseLast sync: 24 Jun 2026
About this program
The programme is a two year research master in economics, econometrics and finance. Fully dedicated to preparing students for PhD thesis research.
The programme offers a research training equivalent to training in the first two years of PhD programmes at top US economics faculties. This implies a first year of rigorous and common training in core subjects of economics, econometrics, and finance at a high level that can only be managed by a selected group of students. In the second year, students specialise in their choice from among the institute’s many fields of research through field course work and research master thesis research.
The Tinbergen Institute research master is a joint degree programme offered by Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The research master is a small-scale, intensive programme for students who want to pursue a PhD in Economics, Econometrics or Finance.
After graduation:
The research master is an excellent start for a career in academia. Ask any of TI’s over 800 PhD alumni, and they will tell you that a PhD degree from Tinbergen Institute opens the doors of opportunity.
Institution’s own description (HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase)
English120 ECTSMaster of ScienceField area: EconomicsSector: Economie en BedrijfCode of Conduct (intl.)Full-timeMaster
About Erasmus University Rotterdam
Erasmus University Rotterdam, named after the famous Dutch humanist, is a leading research university founded in 1913. Home to Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), one of Europe's top business schools, and strong medicine program. Located in modern, architecturally innovative Rotterdam.
Living in Rotterdam
Student cost of living
Rent · room
€580/mo
Monthly total
€850–€1,600
Cost of living
Medium
Population
651k
Modern, innovative, and business-oriented. Rotterdam is less touristy than Amsterdam, offering a more authentic Dutch experience. The city is known for its contemporary architecture and entrepreneurial spirit.
View city guide →Specializations
Tracks from HOVI
EconomicsSpecialisation
Tinbergen Institute offers a two year Research Master's program in Economics as part of a 5 year PhD track.
In the first year, students receive rigorous training in the core subje…
FinanceSpecialisation
Tinbergen Institute offers a two year Research Master's program as part of a 5 year PhD track.
In the first year, students receive rigorous training in the core subjects and tools…
EconometricsSpecialisation
Tinbergen Institute (TI) offers a two year Research Master's program as part of a 5 year PhD track.
In the first year, students receive rigorous training in the core subjects and …
Source: HOVI via Studiekeuzedatabase
Curriculum
Course structure by year
?No curriculum data yet
Career outcomes
Graduate surveys · field-group level
Good job-market outlookfield: economie
Median starting salary (field)€3,457/mo gross
Employed ~1.5y after graduating92%
Months to a substantial job3
Working in their own field77%
Permanent contract67%
Satisfied with their job4/5
Top graduate occupations (field)
Accountants22%
Professoren en andere onderwijsgevenden in het hoger onderwijs13%
Specialisten op het gebied van beleidsadministratie11%
Bedrijfs- en organisatieanalisten10%
Economen7%
Field-group estimates from national graduate surveys via Studiekeuzedatabase — not measured per programme
Progression & cohort
Official register statistics
Complete this degree79%
Women among first-years32%
Say workload is “just right”25%
Official register statistics (1cijferHO · 2025) via Studiekeuzedatabase
Student voices
National Student Survey (NSE) — first-party reviews coming
3.3/5overall satisfaction · NSE 2026 · 13 respondents
Content & set-up3.8
Teachers3.9
Involvement & contact3.8
Testing & assessment3.3
Facilities4.2
Career preparation3.6
Teachers' English4.6
Source: Nationale Studenten Enquête via Studiekeuzedatabase (Studiekeuze123/LCSK)
Admissions
Minimum language scores · from StudyInNL
- IELTS overall band: 7
- TOEFL computer based: 250
- TOEFL internet based: 100
Scholarships
Erasmus Trustfonds and TSH Changemaker Scholarshiptuition, housing, €600/month, and mentorship for eligible underrepresented master's students
FUNED10% tuition-fee discount plus loan/scholarship/financial support for eligible students
Internships
?No data yet
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