MAQuantitative Economics

English

All applicants must comply with our English language requirements. The only acceptable English tests and exempt categories are specified at www.ut.ee/requirements.

A motivation letter must be added to your application.

Please upload the final version of the motivation letter before submitting the application. It can not be edited after the application is submitted.

The motivation letter consists of two parts: a written part (essay) and a video recording.

Written part (essay)
The essay should be written in English, contain approximately 3000-3500 characters with spaces based on the following points:

1. Explanation on which economics research topics are attractive for the student to write the master’s thesis. The applicant should propose a potential master’s thesis topic and
a) explain the research topic;
b) motivate why it is interesting and essential to study this topic;
c) discuss how to explore this topic and what would be the methodology.
2. The description of the career that the applicant would like to follow, which
a) explains what attracts the applicant to this career path;
b) discusses how the Quantitative Economics programme (courses and topics in the programme) would help to achieve this career goal;
c) argues what would be the biggest challenges in achieving this career goal.

Short video CV
The applicant should record a video of up to 5 minutes in length, where the applicant’s face is clearly visible, voice clearly audible. The video should be in the “pitch” format: thoroughly thought, covering the catchiest attributes of the applicant. The video does not have to be done professionally – for example, it can be produced with a smartphone camera or webcam of the computer.

NB! The applicant must include a link to the video file in the motivation letter. When submitting the video link, make sure the video can be accessed by anyone reading the motivation letter.

The video should address the following aspects:

1. highlights from the applicant’s CV, including how the applicant’s background (previous studies and work experience) is related to the Quantitative Economics programme; describe especially your experience in economic research (if any);
2. previous studies in quantitative analysis subjects (statistics, econometrics, mathematics, programming, data analysis), knowledge and experience in using various software packages (e.g., R, Python, SPSS, Stata);
3. describe any of your studies abroad or extracurricular studies on top of the formal programs, e.g., participation in student conferences, workshops, student competitions, online courses taken, etc.;
4. describe how your various other capabilities and qualifications enable you to complete the studies in Quantitative Economics successfully and to achieve the career goals stated in the motivation letter;
5. explain why you have chosen to apply to the University of Tartu.

Evaluation criteria:

1. In the essay:
a) the ideas for potential master thesis (defined a research problem, discussion on how to solve and explore the research problem) (max 20 points);
b) clearly defined career goals and aspirations and how the Quantitative Economics program is expected to contribute in achieving these (maximum 15 points);
c) the skills of argumentation and discussion as presented in the written text, including logicality of the structure of the letter, the relevance of the information and arguments presented, and abilities of self-expression in the written form, grammatically fluent and correct English (max 15 points).

2. In the short video CV:
a) comprehensive description of the capabilities enabling the study of Quantitative Economics, especially the skills obtained in mathematics, statistics, econometrics, and quantitative analysis skills (maximum 20 points);
b) previous experiences in the field, like practical work experience, voluntary work, internships undertaken or any other experience with economic research or quantitative analysis, e.g., in the bachelor thesis (maximum 15 points);
c) the content, presentation skills (fluency, naturality, and organization of the presentation), and understanding of the Quantitative Economics programme will be assessed (max 15 points).

The maximum score for the motivation letter is 100 points and the result is positive only if the applicant gains 51 points or more.