Research Modules
Allocation Process
Places in research modules are allocated in an online allocation process via BASIS. After the end of the first registration, places are drawn by lots, taking into account the requirements (see below). Please choose as many priorities as possible as you may not get a place in a research module at all otherwise.
Please refer to this guide (new update September 24, 2026) if you intend to participate in the allocation procedure.
Students may apply in reasoned exceptional cases to the Examination Committee (by email to the Examination Office) for a place in a second research module. If a reasoned exceptional case exists and if capacity allows, a place in a second research module is allocated to the student. A positive decision by the Examination Committee does not automatically entitle a student to a place in a second research module or the allocation of a certain research module. After the end of the second allocation period, the remaining places will again be drawn by lots.
Exam Registration for Research Modules
No separate examination registration is required. By being allocated a place in a course through the allocation process, you are automatically registered for the corresponding examination.
Therefore, no additional registration for the examination is necessary.
Entry Requirements for Research Modules
The Examination Regulations for the Master program in Economics specify the following entry requirements for research modules:
- having passed the corresponding basic module
- having passed any two advanced modules except Topics Modules:
Research Module in |
Prerequisite for Exam Registration |
| Microeconomic Theory | basic module Microeconomics & any 2 advanced modules (except for Topics) |
| Macroeconomics and Public Economics | basic module Macroeconomics & any 2 advanced modules (except for Topics) |
| Management and Applied Microeconomics | basic module Microeconomics & any 2 advanced modules (except for Topics) |
| Financial Economics | basic module Finance & any 2 advanced modules (except for Topics) |
| Econometrics and Statistics | any 2 advanced modules (except for Topics) |
Examination Regulation 2011: Research module examinations include
- term papers (8-20 DIN A4 pages)
- essays (2-10 DIN A4 pages)
- presentations (15-30 minutes)
- or a combination thereof
It is not possible to retake individual parts of the research module examination.
Examination Regulation 2017: Research module examinations include
- 40% presentation
- 60% term paper or essays.
All students participating in a research module have to
- participate regularly (Regular attendance is deemed to have taken place if the student was present for at least 60% of the attendance time.)
- participate actively (Active participation is deemed to exist if the student's oral participation is deemed sufficient by the lecturer in the overall view, e.g. through participation in a group work or preparation of a protocol.)
- participate successfully (Participation is successful if the student takes part in performance assessments that are deemed sufficient overall by the lecturer.)
in the research module to be able to take the research module examination. The examiners will check whether the requirements are met and they can also make further specifications, e.g. whether all or only some of the criteria have to be met.
According to the Master Examination Regulation two passed Topics Modules can be transferred into one Research Module. All Topics Modules listed for the study field Economic Research in the appendices for the Examination Regulations 2017 qualify.
It is no longer necessary to have two Topics Modules transferred into the Research Module. According to the decision of the Examination Committee from July 2025, this technical reallocation is no longer required. The requirements of the Examination Regulations are also fulfilled if no Research Module has been completed, provided that two Topics Modules have been successfully passed.