Economics: Applied Microeconometrics

You will learn about how economists analyse important empirical questions with data. You will be equipped with tools to move beyond statistical associations – where we only observe that two things are related – towards identifying true causal relationships. This is crucial for understanding which reforms, programs and policies actually work.

The course is rooted in applications within economics and we will use examples from labour economics, the economics of education and health economics.

You will learn five of the most widely used methods in modern research: field experiments, instrumental variables, regression discontinuity designs, difference-in-differences and matching. These methods have been at the center of the so-called “credibility revolution” in empirical economics that enables us to infer causal relationships.

Throughout the course, you will gain an understanding of how these methods work and also practical training in applying them to real data. The goal is to prepare you to analyse empirical questions in economics in a credible way and to develop skills that are valuable in research, policy evaluation and applied analysis.

Course syllabus

The syllabus contains the formal and legal details of the entire course. It’s a legal document outlining the course structure and requirements, intended mainly for administrative use.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

Teaching is based on lectures, computer-based exercises and a written exam. The lectures introduce the core methods and show how they are used in contemporary economic research.

During the course, you will complete five empirical exercises in groups of students, where you use the statistical software Stata to analyse real data. These exercises train your ability to apply the methods yourself and to interpret the results, with particular attention to the difference between statistical correlations and causal effects. The course also includes computer labs and support sessions where you can receive guidance.

Assessment consists of a written exam and the empirical exercises. The structure ensures that you gradually build both theoretical understanding and practical skills, preparing you to independently analyse empirical questions in economics.

Entry requirements

Students admitted to the Master Programme in Economics who have taken the course Advanced Econometrics are qualified for this course. Students admitted to the Master Programme in Data Analytics and Business Economics are qualified for this course. For other students, at least 90 ECTS-credits in economics are needed for admission to the course.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 18,750
First payment: SEK 18,750

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.