Study International Economics and Sustainable Development in Groningen and understand the role of governments, firms, and individuals in reshaping the global economy to deal with the important societal challenges of today.
Why are some countries rich and others poor? How does globalization affect sustainability, inequality, and climate change? What is the relationship between international trade and economic development?
The International Economics and Sustainable Development profile in Groningen is one of the few economic programmes in the Netherlands that offers a comprehensive and global perspective on current economic and societal trends. When you choose this specialization, you will study the impact of economic development and globalization on firms, individuals, and our society, and the government’s role in that process. We teach you about the necessary tools and skills to make an impact, and while doing so, you will develop an analytical mindset to work on societally relevant issues.
With the increasing integration of the world economy through international trade and capital flows, it is important and highly relevant to consider the contemporary challenges we are facing. In this profile, you will learn about technological change and innovation, the socio-economic determinants of international trade and development in various regions of the world, as well as how production in a global context impacts nature and emissions. You will gain insight into the theories and policies to understand why some regions of the world have managed to develop successfully, while other regions are struggling. Finally, we devote attention to corporate sustainability and teach you how to deal with moral issues in a business setting.
Join us in working closely with diverse companies and benefit from lectures by renowned guests such as Klaas Knot, the president of the Dutch Central Bank, or other government, business, and academic experts. Discover how to apply research and theory to the real world – and where to direct your own qualities and ambitions when you start your career.
Continuing with the MSc in International Economics and Sustainable Development will ensure that you are well-prepared for a range of career opportunities in various fields, both nationally and internationally. Businesses across a wide range of industries, governments, research institutions, and NGOs are eager to hire international economists who have the knowledge and skills to help them navigate the challenges of today’s world.
Do you want to learn more about the other two profiles in Economics or Business Economics ?
I wanted to study economics because this field is more and more important nowadays and I was interested particularly in the policies that are being considered to prevent and handle the financial crisis. Out of all the study programmes I looked at, the one in Groningen seemed to have the most holistic approach to economics, with not just the core macroeconomics and microeconomics subjects but also a heavy emphasis on developmental economics.
In my second year, I chose to follow the International Economics and Sustainable Development Economic Development (previously ED&G) profile. One of my primary interests was researching uplifting marginalized communities as a driver in reaching a sustainable economy. One of the best things about choosing ED&G is the discussions that you have in classes regarding topics of development. Also, I think courses like Technology and Innovation enhanced my understanding of the global economy and the role technology plays in it. I enjoyed the research-based projects that taught me how to conduct research and prepared me for my thesis. In the future, I would like to do research on global sustainability and equity.
All in all, it is a challenging and very interesting programme and there is a lot to gain from it. Especially when you read financial and economic news and get to see some of the theories come to life.
