Branch programme/details

The main aim of the two-year MA program is education in all basic areas of theoretical and empirical economics, which will provide graduates with high-quality preparation for joining an already running PhD program in Economics, or for direct application in practice as economic analysts and consultants. The program focuses on key areas of economic theory and econometrics, along the lines of top European Master in Economic Research programs offered at the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge or Tilburg University. The general knowledge output of the graduate will be knowledge of advanced mathematical methods and both passive and active use of English.

The entrance examination is in English and has two parts.

First Part: Candidates are evaluated on the basis of the submitted required documents (see below). The maximum number of points in the first round is 40. Evaluated are:

a) the applicant's previous study results (20 points) - overall academic results from the previous studies

b) motivation to study and carrying out economic research (10 points) motivation to study at CERGE, candidate's professional interest in accoredance with the instutution research interest.

c) recommendations (10 points - acacemic references are prefered, evaluation of mathematical skills, economic knowledge and English academic skills

The evaluation takes into account whether the candidate's professional interest and study results are in accordance with the research orientation of the institute.

a) Candidates who get highest points in the 1st part of the entrance examination are exempt from the 2nd part of the entrance examination and are admitted directly to the 1st year of study. The borderline of admission is determined by the Dean.

b) Applicants with the highest number of the points, will continue on to the 2nd part of the entrance examination. The point threshold for advancing to the second round is set by the dean, taking into account the number of applicants taking the entrance exam and the capacity options of the preparatory course.The borderline of admission is determined by the Dean.

Second Part: Candidates who were recommended for the 2nd part of the entrance examination are invited to an optional, free-of-charge summer Preparatory module to attend courses in macroeconomics, microeconomics and mathematics. After the Preparatory module, the second round of the entrance examination takes the form of the distance written test consisting of three parts: macroeconomics, microeconomics and mathematics. In the 2nd round of the entrance examination, a maximum of 100 points can be obtained. The applicant can gain max 50 points from the mathematical part, max 25 points from microeconomics and max 25 from macroeconomics from the final evaluation. Applicants with the highest score will be accepted. The borderline of admission is determined by the Dean.

Application requirements:

• up-to-date CV

• Statement of Motivation

• verified copies of BA and MA diplomas and transcripts

• 2 letters of recommendation, ideally from academia

All submitted documents need to be in English (with the exception of the diploma, which can be in Czech) or accompanied by a notarised translation.

Admission to Master's studies is conditioned by completed secondary education confirmed by a school-leaving certificate. Admission to Post-Bachelor studies (Master's programme) is likewise conditioned by completed education in any type of study programme.

Microeconomics

Mas-Collel, Andrew, Michael Whinston, and Jerry Green (MWG): Microeconomic Theory, Oxford University Press, 1995.

Chiang, Alpha, Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics, McGraw Hill, 1988.

Dixit, Avinash, Optimization in Economic Theory, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, 1990.

Jehle, Geoffrey and Philip Reny, Advanced Microeconomic Theory, 3rd edition, Addison-Wesley, 2011.

Kreps, David, A Course in Microeconomic Theory, Princeton University Press, 1990.

Varian, Hal, Microeconomic Analysis, W. W. Norton and Company, 3rd edition, 1992.

Varian, Hal, Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach, 6th edition. Addison Wesley, 2003.

Macroeconomics

D. Bertsekas: Dynamic Programming and Optimal Control, Athena Scientific, 2005.          

Blanchard, O. and S. Fisher: Lectures on Macroeconomics. MIT Press, 1989.

Ljungquist, Lars, and Thomas J. Sargent: Recursive Macroeconomic Theory. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2000.

George McCandles: The ABCs of RBCs: An Introduction to Dynamic Macroeconomic Models. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2008.

Stokey, Nancy L., Robert E. Lucas, Jr., and Edward C. Prescott: Recursive Methods in Economic Dynamics. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1989.

Statistics

Casella, G., and R.L.Berger (2002).  Statistical Inference, Duxbury Press, Belmont, CA, 2nd edition.

Hogg, R.V., McKean J. and A. T. Craig (2012). Introduction to Mathematical Statistics, Prentice Hall, 7th edition.

Mood, A.M., Graybill F.A. and D.C. Boes (1974) Introduction to the Theory of Statistics, Mcgraw Hill Higher Education, 3rd edition.