ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training structure
Faculty of Economics
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
The Public Economics and Environment track of the Master's in Economics program trains students to analyze collective choices in the face of growing pressure on the environment from human activities. These issues involve complex trade-offs, incorporating identifiable costs, diffuse impacts, and benefits that are often unevenly distributed among stakeholders and generations. The economic approach is a decision-making tool for public actors, organizations, and companies faced with these issues.
The program provides in-depth knowledge of environmental economics and natural resources, as well as public economics, which studies the mechanisms and criteria of collective choice. These two complementary fields enable the design of policies and mechanisms that are both economically efficient and socially and politically sustainable.
The program draws on the expertise of a teamof specialized faculty and researchers from the Montpellier Center for Environmental Economics.

The advantages of the training program
- A RECOGNIZED SPECIALIZATION
- OPERATIONAL SKILLS
- VARIED CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Objectives
The program aims to train economists specializing in environmental economics and public policy, capable of informing decision-making on ecological issues and collective trade-offs.
It develops mastery of economic analysis tools applied to the environment: socio-economic assessment, cost-benefit analysis, regulatory instruments, taxation, and environmental incentives. Students are trained to design and evaluate public policies, integrating economic, social, and distributional effects.
The program also strengthens quantitative skills and data analysis, in order to produce diagnostics and impact studies that can be used by public actors, local authorities, and organizations involved in the ecological transition.
Know-how and skills
Know-how
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Working as a team, cooperating, listening, and expressing a reasoned point of view while respecting others
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Adapt to unexpected situations and meet deadlines
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Search, select, organize, and synthesize information from academic, institutional, and statistical sources.
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Communicate clearly in writing and orally, adapting to the target audience
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Critically analyze academic work in economics (French/English)
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Designing and conducting a comprehensive economic analysis: issues, methodology, exploitation, and discussion of results
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Prepare and use a database, perform statistical analysis, and present the results.
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Implement applied econometric analyses
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Design an investigation protocol taking into account possible biases
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Conduct a financial assessment of a public or private project
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Adapt an economic model to simulate scenarios and compare results (static/dynamic)
Skills
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Knowledge of economic, sector-specific, and regulatory developments
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Proficiency inapplied economic analysis methods
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Proficiency indata analysis and econometrics methods
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Understanding the challenges ofcausal inference in social sciences and related methods
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Knowledge of experimental methods in economics (laboratory and fieldwork)
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Expertise in analyzing competitive markets and market power situations
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Economic analysis of public policies and their effects (allocation, distribution, environment, public budget)
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Understanding the principles of market regulation and environmental regulation
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Master's degree inEnvironmental and Natural Resource Economics
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Knowledge of issues and regulations related to pollution, biodiversity, natural resources, and agro-environmental systems
International dimension
Starting in their second year, students can spend a year (two semesters) at one of the 60 universities with which the Faculty of Economics has partnerships through the ERASMUS+ exchange programs, inter-university agreements, and CHARM-EU.
Organization
Knowledge assessment
The Master's programs at the Faculty of Economics are structured over two years and four semesters, based on an assessment system designed to measure students' learning progressively and comprehensively. At the end of each semester, the skills, competencies, and knowledge acquired in each Teaching Unit (UE) are assessed in one of two ways: continuous assessment or a final exam.
Continuous assessment allows for regular monitoring of student progress through several forms of evaluation: supervised assignments, graded tutorials, presentations, projects, document analysis, and active participation in class. This method encourages attendance, regular work, and the gradual acquisition of skills.
The final exam consists of a written or oral test held at the end of the semester. It aims 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 course units, teaching methods, or learning objectives, some units may combine both assessment methods. These methods ensure fair and diverse assessment that is tailored to the nature of the course, while allowing students to develop methodology, rigor, and autonomy throughout their academic career.
Special facilities
Students with disabilities, young entrepreneurs, and high-level athletes can benefit from personalized support.
This may take the form of study arrangements, educational adaptations, or specific rights, in order to enable them to best balance their personal or professional constraints with their university education. Depending on the situation, these measures may include an adapted schedule, adjusted assessment methods, attendance facilities, individualized monitoring, or dedicated support services.
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Possible |
|---|---|
Duration of the internship | Maximum 924 hours, or 6 months |
Internship abroad | Possible |
A true immersion in the professional world, it allows students to apply the knowledge they have acquired in class, discover how organizations work, and compare theory with practice. To get the most out of it, serious preparation is essential: learning about the host organization, defining your objectives, mobilizing your skills, and preparing for professional demands.
In Master 1, internships are possible and optional. They must be related to the program.
The internship may begin at the end of the second semester exams or be completed during university vacation periods. In all cases, it must end no later than August 31, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or University Diploma program.
In Master 2, the internship is mandatory.
The start date is set in agreement with the academic supervisor, generally between February and March, in order to fit in with the training schedule and the requirements of the final thesis. Regardless of the period chosen, the internship mustend no later than September 30.
Program
The program lasts two years, or four semesters.
120 ECTS
Game theory
Econometrics
Development economics
4 creditsIntroduction to SAS
Individual Research Project
Environmental economics
Public economics
3 creditsSurvey methods
Choose one of two options:
Optional
Corporate social responsibility
4 creditsExcel / Power BI
3 creditsEconomics of risk and uncertainty
Natural resource governance
4 creditsEconometrics of qualitative variables
Individual research project
5 creditsData analysis
3 creditsBehavioral economics
Optional
Choose one of two options:
Economics of biodiversity and natural resources
3 creditsChoice experiment
Public economic calculation
3 creditsEnvironmental economics and policy
2 creditsSocial incentives and preferences
3 creditsTopics in experimental and behavioral economics
Social Dilemmas
3 creditsEnvironmental information and labels
3 creditsStatistical method
3 creditsEvaluation of non-market effects
3 creditsProtection of ecosystems
2 credits
Taxation and the environment
2 creditsGlobalization and the environment
2 creditsPolitical economy of environmental policy
2 creditsHealth and environment
2 creditsEconomics of justice and fairness
Research or internship thesis
13 creditsCircular economy
3 creditsGame Theory 2
4 credits
Admission
Admission requirements
- For Master's 1: Holder of or currently pursuinga bachelor's degree (or equivalent, three years of higher education) in economics or a similar field, recognized in France or Europe.
- For the Master 2: Have completed at least 4 years of higher education (Bac +4 / 240 ECTS) in fields related to economics or similar. A strong academic record and, in some cases, professional experience are valued.
Registration procedures
First year of master's degree
If you wish to apply for admission to Master 1, you must submit your application on the Mon Master platform .
Second year of master's degree
To gain equivalent access to the second year of the master's program, the ecandidat procedure is mandatory.
economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/applications/applications-and-admissions/
Target audience
Students from the Montpellier Academy, the Occitanie region, France, and abroad
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are set each year by the Ministry of Higher Education. They are accompanied by the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC).
The entire program is free for students receiving scholarships.
Capacity
Recommended prerequisites
A good level inmicroeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematics, statistics, and econometrics is essential. Depending on the desired career path, certain options may be valued.
And after
Continuing education
The program offers in-depth training in economic analysis, enabling students to enter the workforce directly or pursue a PhD in economics for those wishing to pursue a career in research.
The involvementof faculty members and active researchers within research units allows students to gain practical insight into scientific work and assess their interest in pursuing an academic career.
As the skills acquired are particularly sought after in the public sector, some graduates also choose to prepare for civil service examinations or enroll in training programs dedicated to these examinations after completing the EPE Master's degree.
Professional integration
Graduates of the Master's in Environmental Policy and Economics are trained to design and conduct economic analyses of the effects, relevance, and implementation of regulations and public policies, particularly in the environmental field. These skills are sought after by public authorities, businesses, professional organizations, as well as consumer and environmental protection associations.
They can take up positions as research officers or project managers in environmental economics and public policy: in the sustainable development departments of large companies, NGOs, public or semi-public administrations (national and international), as well as in research and consulting firms working with these actors.
The program also provides solid methodological skills and a good command of the tools of the discipline, paving the way for doctoral studies in economics and positions of greater responsibility in academia and specialized institutions and organizations.
https://osipe.edu.umontpellier.fr/masters/