An Introduction

The MSc in Economics and Development is a two-year (120 ECTS) program entirely taught in English which allows students to choose between a curriculum in Development Economics and a curriculum in Economics.

Both curricula rely on a multidisciplinary approach, as a rigorous education in economics and quantitative methods is matched with courses in coding, finance, business, law, history to allow students to earn additional useful skills for their selected career path. In particular, after a first year meant to provide solid foundations, during the second year students can largely tailor their study path to their interests. Key competencies acquired by students include solid economic knowledge, problem-solving skills, analytical thinking and economic intuition, which are essential for a successful career as an economist and for admission to the best PhD programs worldwide.

The MSc offers an excellent student-to-staff ratio and an international environment, with students coming from all over the world -- for a.y. 2025-26, more than 56% of enrolled students are non-Italian. Moreover, students can participate in joint courses with the Syracuse University in Florence, thereby enjoying the life of an American Campus and its facilities in Florence.

Students are provided with tools to

• conduct research in the field of economic development or economics;
• analyse and possibly solve socio-economic problems within international organisations, companies or governments;
• use economic and econometric methods – after learning software as Matlab, Python, R, Stata -- to formulate and evaluate global and sectoral economic policies;
• collect, analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative information from local, national and international datasets.

Slides This set of slides has been used to present the program during an Open Day in February 2026.

 

Curriculum in Development Economics

For whom? This curriculum is designed for students interested in understanding the economies of developing countries, why some countries managed to grow and reduce poverty but others did not, the drivers of successful economic development and the causes for stagnation, the design and evaluation of policies that promote sustainable/inclusive growth, education, health, food security and reduce income inequality, gender inequality, etc. More details on this curriculum.

Double Degree First-year students of the curriculum Development Economics can apply to earn a double degree, offered jointly with the MSc in Development Economics of the University of Göttingen (Germany), taking exams in their second year and writing their thesis at the University of Göttingen. More details on double degree programs.

Career opportunities This curriculum provides an ideal background for work as a professional development economist in national and international agencies, civil service appointments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and private sector companies with interests in developing countries, or to pursue a PhD programme in Development Economics or related topics at leading universities around the world. Testimonials

 

Curriculum in Economics

For whom? This curriculum is designed for students interested in acquiring skills for a successful career as a professional economist, in learning quantitative tools to analyze major economic issues and policies, in learning theoretical and empirical techniques to analyze the competitiveness of markets, to forecast macroeconomic and financial variables, to evaluate programs for private and public institutions.

Within this curriculum, students can choose between two tracks:

Track in Economics for students interested in using economics and econometric methods to conduct theoretical and applied research in economics, analyze data and formulate or evaluate global and sectorial economic policies. More details on this track.

Track in Behavioral Economics for students interested in theoretical and experimental analysis of individual behaviors and institutions, taking into account the effects of psychological, cognitive, emotional, cultural and social factors. More details on this track.

Double Degree First-year students of the curriculum Economics can apply to earn a double degree offered jointly with the MSc in European Economic Studies of the University of Bamberg (Germany), or a double degree offered jointly with the International Master in Public Policies of the University of Rennes (France), taking exams in their second year and writing their thesis at the University of Bamberg or at the University of Rennes. More details on double degree programs.

Career opportunities Both tracks provide an ideal background for work as a professional economist in a wide range of positions in private economic consultancy agencies, business, finance, central banking, national and international organisations and governments, or to pursue a PhD programme in Economics or related topics at leading universities around the world. Testimonials

 

Additional Information

• Admission Requirements The page about enrollment describes the admission requirements.
• Key information Please see Key Information for students just enrolled, or about to enroll.
• Grants Two grants are awarded to first-year students of the MSc: one grant to a student of the curriculum in Development Economics, one grant to a student of the curriculum in Economics.
• Introductory courses In September 2026, an introductory course in Mathematics and an introductory course in Statistics will be offered.
• Mentorship Each first-year student is assigned an academic mentor—a professor available to provide guidance and advice on navigating the MSc program.
• International Mobility Students have extensive opportunities of international mobility within the Erasmus+ Programme, which allows them to spend one semester in a foreign university to take exams, undertake a traineeship, work on the Master's thesis. Please see the page about international mobility.
• Research Assistantship Every January and June, a few MSc instructors offer students the opportunity to apply to serve as Research Assistants alongside accomplished scholars. This role provides valuable hands-on research experience and earns students 6 ECTS. Please see the page about these positions.
• Internships Students can choose to undertake an internship in selected institutions.  In the past few years, several firms/organizations welcomed students of the MSc as interns. More information is available at the page about Internships.
• A useful page The page Students includes information and links and to all relevant pages for students.
• Booklet This booklet provides more detailed information, including academic calendar, study plans for the two curricula, syllabi for courses, ...
• Econometric Game Each year, one student of the MSc in Economics and Development participates in the Econometric Game, which takes place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in the Unifi team. For year 2026, our student Paolo Nerini has been a member of the Unifi team.
• Simuvaction on AI 2026 Each year, one or two students of the MSc in Economics and Development participate in Simuvaction on AI. Our students Andrea Busolo and Sara Caffoni participated in Simuvaction on AI 2026 -- AI and Education on a Global Stage, Paris-Versailles, March 22-27, 2026. Andrea earned the Most Influential Delegation Award and the Practicalities of the Solution Award, Sara earned the Best Discernment Skills Award.
• Linkedin website The MSc in Economics and Development has a Linkedin website .
• Federica Web Learning The platform Federica Web Learning includes an animated presentation of the MSc, with an interview with the previous director and brief videos in which four of our instructors introduce their courses. Instructions on how to access this material.

 

After Graduation

Job Placement Graduates are prepared for careers in corporations, financial institutions, public or private research centers, consulting firms, regulating authorities, international organizations, and other professions based on strong analytical skills.

PhD Admissions Graduates are well prepared for an academic career, as shown by the significant number of graduates entering PhD programs in Economics or related topics. A professor of the MSc is available to advise students interested in entering a PhD program and to help them in preparing their applications.

 

The School of Economics and Management

The MSc in Economics and Development is a study program of the School of Economics and Management, which coordinates 12 study programs of Unifi about economics or statistics. 

The School's HeadQuarters are at the first floor of Building D1 (Via delle Pandette 32) of Campus Novoli. The Dean of the School is professor Antonio Magliulo, pres-scuola@economia.unifi.it.