ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training Structure
School of Economics
Overview
Established in 1992 by Professor Jacques PERCEBOIS, the Energy Economics program atthe University of Montpellier has been training applied economists specializing in energy issues for more than thirty years. It equips students with the essential skills to analyze and anticipate the effects of structural changes in the sector: decarbonization and decentralization of production methods, evolving market models and energy pricing, as well as the development of new energy uses.
The master’s program draws on close relationships with public and private sector stakeholders in the energy sector, who regularly participate through conferences, professional seminars, and consulting projects.
In the second year (M2), the program also offers a work-study track, giving students the opportunity to alternate between academic study and professional experience at companies, public institutions, or organizations in the energy sector. This approach facilitates a smooth transition into the workforce and the in-depth development of practical skills.

The Benefits of the Training Program
- OVER 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS
- A CONNECTION WITH PROFESSIONALS
- OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A MASTER'S DEGREE (MASTER 2) THROUGH AN APPRENTICESHIP
Objectives
The Master’s program aims to train students to become experts in energy markets, public policy, and the challenges posed by the low-carbon transition. The courses offered enable students to acquire an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of energy markets and their interdependencies with environmental markets. Students utilize a wide range of empirical analysis tools, particularly in the field of climate and energy policy evaluation (as applied to the transportation, industrial, and building sectors), as well as for the development and financing of energy projects (involving renewable energy or energy efficiency). The program also offers introductory courses on the regulatory aspects of the energy sector, as well as on the legal framework applicable to renewable energy projects.
Expertise and Skills
• Understand how the energy (gas and electricity) and environmental (CO2 quotas, guarantees of origin, energy conservation) markets operate, as well as the applicable regulations
• Assess the sector-specific impacts of climate and energy policies (transportation, buildings, industry, etc.)
• Gain a thorough understanding of the economic, financial, and legal aspects related to the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
• Gain a solid understanding of energy and environmental market regulation
• Conduct technical and economic studies related to energy production, transmission/distribution, and supply
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the energy sector and the ability to anticipate future trends in the industry
International Dimension
Starting in their second year, students can spend a year (two semesters) at one of the 60 universities with which the School of Economics has partnerships through the ERASMUS+, inter-university agreements, and CHARM-EU exchange programs.
Organization
Knowledge Assessment
The Master’s program at the Faculty of Economics is structured over two years and four semesters and is based on an assessment system designed to measure students’ learning progress in a gradual and comprehensive manner. At the end of each semester, the skills, competencies, and knowledge acquired in each course (UE) are assessed in one of two ways: through continuous assessment or a final exam.
Continuous assessment allows for regular monitoring of student progress through various forms of evaluation: proctored exams, graded tutorials, presentations, projects, document analyses, and active participation in class. This approach encourages regular attendance, consistent work, and the gradual acquisition of skills.
The final exam, on the other hand, consists of a written or oral test administered at the end of the semester. Its purpose is to assess the student’s overall mastery of the concepts taught and their ability to apply their knowledge in a structured and in-depth manner.
Depending on the learning units, the teaching approach, or the learning objectives, some units may combine both approaches.
Special Features
Students with disabilities, young entrepreneurs, and elite athletes can receive personalized support.
This may take the form of academic accommodations, pedagogical adjustments, or specific rights, in order to enable students to best balance their personal or professional commitments with their university studies. Depending on the situation, these measures may include an adapted class schedule, modified assessment procedures, attendance accommodations, individualized support, or dedicated support services.
Open on an alternating basis
The apprenticeship program is based on the principle of alternating between academic and practical instruction provided at the university and the acquisition of practical skills at a workplace.
The frequency of this alternation is:
- 4 weeks at the university, followed by 4 weeks at a company, from September through October;
- 2 weeks at a company and 2 weeks at the university from January through February;
- Starting in March at the company.
An apprenticeship contract is a special type of employment contract that allows the student to hold dual status: as a student and as a full-fledged employee of the company.
APPRENTICESHIP AVAILABLE IN THE MASTER 2 EDE PROGRAM
economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/carriere/formation-en-apprentissage/
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Possible |
|---|---|
Internship Abroad | Possible |
A true immersion in the professional world, it allows students to apply the knowledge they’ve acquired in class, discover how organizations operate, and compare theory with practice. To get the most out of it, thorough preparation is essential: learn about the host organization, define your goals, draw on what you’ve learned, and prepare for professional demands.
All Master's programs offer the opportunity to complete an internship.
In the first year of the master's program, an internship is possible but optional. It must be related to the program.
The internship may begin at the end of the second-semester exams or take place during university breaks. In any case, it must end no later than August 31, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a Bachelor’s program, a first-year Master’s program, or a University Diploma program.
In the second year of the Master's program, an internship or work-study program is required starting in late February.
The start date is set in consultation with the academic advisor, typically in February, to align with the academic calendar and the requirements for the final thesis. Regardless of the period chosen, the internship must end no later than September 30.
economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/carriere/partir-en-stage/
Program
The program lasts 2 years, or 4 semesters
120 ECTS
Apprenticeship available during the second year of the Master's program
Introduction to SAS
Project Management and Financial Evaluation
3 creditsEconometrics
Energy Conservation 1
2 creditsIntroduction to R Software
Network Regulations
Environmental Economics
Individual Research Project
Public Economics
3 creditsSurvey Methods
Choose one of the following two options:
Optional
Energy Conservation 2
3 creditsIndustrial Organization
4 creditsNetwork Economics
3 creditsGeopolitics of Energy
Excel / Power BI
3 creditsEconometrics of Qualitative Variables
Individual Research Project
5 creditsData Analysis
3 creditsChoose one of the following two options:
Optional
Electricity Conservation
4 creditsEnergy and Development
4 creditsIntroduction to Energy Physics
3 creditsSmart Grids, Energy, and Mobility
3 creditsTransportation, Energy, and the Environment
4 creditsFinancing Renewable Energy Projects
2 creditsLegal Framework for Renewable Energy
3 creditsEnglish
2 creditsClimate and Energy Transition Economics
3 creditsEnergy Market Design
3 creditsGreen Finance and Market Finance
2 credits
Energy Market Design
3 creditsSeminars/Conferences and Consulting Projects
4 creditsLow-Carbon Innovation
3 creditsThesis
Choose one of the following two options:
M2 Thesis: Initial Energy
10 creditsM2 Energy Apprentice Supervised Project
10 credits
Energy Law and Market Regulation
2 creditsEnergy Efficiency
3 creditsProfessional Seminars and Conferences
5 creditsLegal Framework for Renewable Energy
3 creditsInternship (Apprenticeship)
10 creditsConsulting Project
4 credits
Admission
Admission Requirements
- For the Master 1 program: Applicants must hold or be in the process of earninga bachelor’s degree (or equivalent, bac+3) in economics or a related field, recognized in France or Europe.
- For the Master 2 program: Applicants must have completed at least 4 years of higher education (Bac +4 / 240 ECTS) in fields related to economics or similar disciplines. A strong academic record and, in some cases, professional experience are highly valued.
Registration Procedures
First year of the master's program
To apply for admission to the first year of the Master's program, you must submit your application through theMon Master platform.
Second year of the master's program
To gain admission to the second year of the master's program based on academic equivalence, the ecandidat application process is required.
economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/candidatures/candidatures-et-admissions/
Capacity
20
And then
Employment Placement
The rapid transformation of the energy sector driven by climate imperatives and energy transition policies, as well as the global energy crisis, has heightened the need for expertise in these areas within companies and organizations, thereby opening up numerous career opportunities for students in this program.
Graduates of the Master’s program in Energy Economics pursue careers as specialized economists and analysts in France and internationally within the energy industry (energy producers and suppliers, energy network operators, brokers, and aggregators), finance (banks and financial institutions), consulting firms, engineering firms, and think tanks, as well as in public administration.
https://osipe.edu.umontpellier.fr/masters/