IMPP

Offered by the Faculty of Economics of the University of Rennes, this 2nd year master level program teaches students the various activities of governments – expenditure policies, tax instruments, macroeconomic and regulatory policies – in an evolutionary, comparative, international perspective. Graduates from the IMPP will be active and dynamic players in processes of management and reform of public sector activities and agencies, in a plurality of institutional contexts and countries. They can be typically employed in:

• International organizations (EU, IMF, OECD, etc.)

• National administrations at the central and local levels

• Banks and financial institutions, especially in the assessment of country specific risks and policy evaluation

• Nonprofit organizations and think-tanks

The IMPP offers double-degrees with 10 partner universities: University of Friburg, Switzerland; University of Potsdam, Germany;' University of Tampere, Finland; University of Cagliari; University of Florence; University of  Piemonte Orientale; and University of Turin, Italy - Masaryk University, Czech Republic; University of Miño, Portugal; University of Shandong, China. The program also welcomes students from several Asian partner universities and institutions as well as individual applications from all over the world. Students can choose to spend one or two semesters in one of the 10 partner university.

General coordination of the master program

• Prof. Fabio Padovano (fabio.padovano@univ-rennes1.fr)

• Prof. David Masclet (david.masclet@univ-rennes1.fr)

Training

To help students making the most of their studies abroad, the European Commission has developed a European Credit Transfer System, (ECTS), which provides a way of measuring and transfering learning achievements from one university to another. One year of study in the European Union corresponds to 60 ECTS. One semester of study corresponds to 30 ETCS approximately.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAM: link

During their training, IMPP students must complete either an Internship or a Master thesis:

• Internship: the internship should last at least 4 months, from April, 1st to September 30th. The topic should be related to the production or supervision of economic and statistical studies in the field of public policies (in federal, national, regional or local governments, public services, or research centers).

• Master thesis: students choose the topic with the help of professors before the end of December. The topics are usually related to the subject matters of the courses.

Frequently asked questions

What about the selection process?

The students are selected according to the following documents: a 4-year diploma (bachelor’s degree in 4 years / 1st year of a master’s degree) in economics or equivalent studies with a record of the marks you have achieved in the past academic years; a personal record (CV); a letter of motivation written in English. No interview is required.  If you are a student of one of the 10 partner Universities, the selection process will be carried out by your home University.

When will the lectures start?

The first meeting with the professors is usually held at the beginning of September. The lectures typically end in April because, afterwards, students have to either work on the master thesis or do an internship. There are two dates for the defense : one in June (mainly for the master thesis), the other in September (mainly for internship but possible for the master thesis).  In France, we do not have graduation ceremonies. The defense is actually the most important event. 

What are the requirements for the lectures?

The prerequisites for the lectures are basic microeconomics (consumer and producer theory, lagrangian solving) and econometrics (hypothesis testing, OLS , heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation). The level is evaluated based on the application documents. Teaching is in english. Knowledge of english is evaluated based on the past experiences of the students as well as a letter of motivation written in english (no english certificate is required). Students who do not feel comfortable with calculus and standard mathematical tools for economists are strongly advised to consult and work with the following references:

• Prerequisites in mathematics (Exponents and Logarithms, differential and integral calculus, Matrix Algebra, Functions of Several Variables): S. C. Aggarwal, R.K. Rana, Basic Mathematics for Economists.

• Prerequisites in microeconomics (consumer theory, Lagrangian method of constrained optimization, public economics): H. R. Varian, Intermediate Microeconomics, H. R. Varian, Microeconomic Analysis (advanced).

• Prerequisites in quantitative analysis (hypothesis testing, OLS , heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation): D. N. Gujarati, Basic Econometrics.

Do I need to know French?

The knowledge of French may be useful for the everyday life and administrative procedures. The University of Rennes as well as Campus France ask for a minimum knowledge of French with certificate. However, our master degree is an exception: since the lectures are in English, students applying to our master may send their application without any proof of a French certificate. 

When and how can I complete the university enrollment?

The registration will be on site, once you are in France at the University of Rennes. Fees are free if you are from a European Partner university (Erasmus Programme), if you have a French scholarship (French citizens), if you have a scolarship from Egide (Eiffel scolarship) or the French Embassy. Foreign students may find some information about the administration procedures at the following address: https://eco.univ-rennes1.fr/en.

What are the deadlines?

Scholarship deadlines – yvelise.maret@univ-rennes1.fr

• Eiffel Scholarship: November, 15.

• Erasmus grant for the 1st semester (Rennes students): January, 31.

• Erasmus grant for the 2nd semester (Rennes students): June, 30.

Deadline for a campus accommodation (students from partner universities) – eco-international@univ-rennes1.fr

• For the 1st semester: Mai, 15.

• For the 2nd semester: Mid-October.

How much money should I have on my bank account for the visa?

Because it is a matter of visa procedure, only the French ambassy of your country can provide this information. Campus France will know this information as well if you apply to the master with Campus France. As a rough guide to help you with your budget, a room (or private APT)  is 150-400 euros per month, the cost of living in Rennes (food, bus, etc.) is 150-300 euros per month. As a consequence, for a one year stay (12 months from october until october), the total annual budget is 4500-9300 euros, tuition fees not included.

What about accommodation? Will you assist me in searching accommodation?

We have some rooms reserved in the University Residence, but only for students coming from our partner universities. If you are not from a partner University, you have to apply by yourself to a Campus accommodation (selective process) via the Crous: http://www.crous-rennes.fr