Competition Law and Economics (MSc Business Economics)
In the Competition Law and Economics track you specialise in competition economics and regulation that affect day-to-day operations in all industries worldwide. This is 1 of 3 tracks you can opt for in the MSc Business Economics.
Help organisations be successful in regulated competitive markets
Competition is one of the prime organising principles of a market economy. Laws protect its processes, and international institutions enforce these laws when competition comes under threat. In the Competition Law and Economics track you learn to understand the intricacies of competition and the regulations that govern it.
A track for future business leaders and policy makers that would enjoy working in and with competitive markets.
Why choose the Competition Law and Economics track?
- Beside the 3 general courses of the MSc Business Economics in your curriculum, you will have 4 courses with focus on competion in a market economy and its regulations. Courses in law will be taught at the Faculty of Law, which gives you opportunity to interact with another discipline.
- You will be lectured by professors and experts working in a wide range of economic organisations and fields. Apart from the theory, you will work on complex cases of competition policy.
- After graduation, you have an excellent job prospect at international profit and non-profit organisations.
Work on challenging EU economics and law cases
Apart from economic theory, econometrics, basic law and jurisprudence, a key part of the curriculum focusses on applied law and economics. Therefore you will work on complex cases of competition policy, in particular of the European Commission.
Track-specific courses
Apart from the 3 general courses of the full programme, you will follow 4 track-specific courses.
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European Competition Law
In this course you will analyse all relevant substantive and procedural aspects of cartel agreements and abuse of dominance. Including the role of the state, public undertakings and the liberalization process. You will also study the whole legal framework of EU concentration control.
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Empirical Market Analysis
What methods can you use to identify the type and intensity of competition in a particular industry? In this course you learn about the different methods and how to apply them. Once you have identified the competition in a market, you will address how the market structure and changes affect the market price. During this course you will become familiar with current empirical techniques and apply these to real data by using Stata.
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Applied Industrial Organisation
In competition policy cases, the development of a so-called 'theory of harm' is essential. This theory captures the economic reasoning that underlies the allegation of breaching competition laws. In this course you will learn how to apply economic theory and econometric methods in competition cases on cartels, abuse of dominance, mergers and state aid.
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Competition Policy
Competition policy is at the centre stage of day-to-day economic life. Consideration for the likely warnings of competition authorities are therefore an important concern in business strategies. Why and to what extent does society need rules restricting the behaviour of firms in markets? And how do these rules affect our economies?
Contemporary issues
This Master’s track will motivate you to research topical matters for your thesis. Our students have graduated with some of the following thesis topics:
- The US Senate hearings on Antitrust: How to keep Big Tech from abusing their market dominance?
- Will allowing cartels and mergers stimulate more sustainable production?
- Umbrella damages and the passing-on defence in cartel damages claims.
Career prospects
Graduates of the Master's programme in Business Economics/Competition Law and Economics track have excellent job prospects for positions as researchers and experts in:
- multinational corporations and commercial banks
- specialised top consulting firms
- European Commission, DG Competition
- government agencies – Ministries, AAs, Regulators
- NGOs and international organisations, OECD and United Nations
- academia
| Degree programme | MSc |
|---|---|
| Type | Regular study programme |
| Mode | Full-time |
| Credits | 60 ECTS, 12 months |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Starts in | September |